Provision of Drug, Alcohol & DNA Testing Services Framework

Procurement reference

NCC202500410

Procurement description

The Drug, Alcohol and DNA Testing Services framework established by Newport City Council in 2020 for use by Welsh local authorities is due to expire 30 September 2026.

The new framework which will commence on the 1 October 2026 will be comprised of 2 lots: Lot 1 - Drug & Alcohol Testing Services, Lot 2 - DNA Testing Services.

Suppliers appointed to the framework have to be accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards and for Lot 2 must be UK Ministry of Justice approved.

The framework will be procured in accordance with the Light Touch Regime of the Procurement Act 2023.

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

• UKL2 - East Wales
• UKL1 - West Wales and the Valleys

Total value (estimated)

11400000.00 GBP Excluding VAT

13680000.00 GBP Including VAT

Contract dates (estimated)

01 October 2026, 00:00AM to 30 September 2030, 23:59PM

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 30 September 2032

Is a framework being established?

Yes

Newport City Council

Is this procurement under a special regime?

Light touch

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

CPV classifications

• 71900000 - Laboratory services

Delivery regions

• UKL2 - East Wales
• UKL1 - West Wales and the Valleys

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 October 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

30 September 2030, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

30 September 2032, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Engagement process description

This pre-market engagement notice is to establish the suppliers in the market who would be interested in providing the services . The Council will also take the opportunity to discuss and improve the current specification. Suppliers are invited to attend individual pre-market engagement meetings on Wednesday 1 July 2026 at the Civic Centre, Newport, NP20 4UR. Suppliers who wish to attend are requested to email joanneclaire.james@newport.gov.uk. Times to attend will be issued no later than Monday 29 June 2026.

Due date

01 July 2026, 23:59PM

Has the engagement period already ended?

No

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

20 July 2026