Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Department of Health and Social Care
39 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0EU
UK
E-mail: Hannah.Sherington@dhsc.gov.uk
NUTS: UKI32
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at:
http://health.atamis.co.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions
I.5) Main activity
Health
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
NHS Test and Trace: Mass Spectrometry Pilot P2 – P3
II.1.2) Main CPV code
73111000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Testing for Coronavirus is a crucial part of the government’s response to the pandemic. The national Covid-19 testing strategy has pivoted toward mass population testing. To achieve this ambition a concerted effort to mobilise a range of viable testing solutions is needed. Following a feasibility study (‘P1’), the initiation of targeted pilot studies are proposed as the next step in mobilising mass spectrometry for Covid-19 testing. This PIN is for a market engagement event to understand the capacity and capability of the market for goods and services that DHSC envisions may be required under the next phases of the pilot (P2 and P3).
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
2 500 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
73000000
73111000
73111000
33140000
33696500
72300000
80420000
33100000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The intended objectives of the programme are to support the Covid-19 testing strategy by:
• assessing and verifying that the published methods of mass spectrometry can provide a confirmatory diagnosis of patients’ infection status;
• validating that mass spectrometry can act as a diagnostic screen for patient samples from NHS test centres and validation of workflow to certain specifications (i.e. turnaround time);
• scaling methodology for mass testing with industry to support the development of end-to-end efficiencies (i.e. sample preparation through to data aggregation);
• rolling out mass spectrometry as a diagnostic tool for Covid-19 nationally across multiple regional centres. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) intends to divide the procurement activity for this opportunity into contracting for the following phases:
• P2: clinical validation, maximum duration of 4 weeks;
• P3(a): scale validation, maximum duration of 12 weeks;
• P3(b): NHS scale-up, maximum duration of 4 weeks;
• P3(c): industrial scale up, duration to be confirmed The estimated value for P2 is GBP 2.5 million. DHSC intends to divide the procurement into lots based on the nature of goods or services to be provided. The scope of these individual lots is yet to be determined, but is intended to cover the following areas:
• laboratories and associated equipment for clinical validation;
• laboratories and associated equipment to build capacity;
• reagents;
• consumables;
• data transfer services (P3 only);
• eLearning for laboratory technicians.
The Department wishes to engage with the market in order to share information about potential upcoming opportunities and understand the capacity and capability of the market. Interested parties are invited to join a virtual market engagement event on 26 November 2020 where more details will be provided. When responding to this notice, please provide contact information for the representatives that you are nominating to attend the event, (maximum three per organisation). We request that organisations determine who would be best placed to attend. Responses should be sent to Hannah.Sherington@dhsc.gov.uk by 12 p.m. UK time, 25 November 2020. Please email using the subject line ‘Response to PIN — Market Engagement Event’.
II.2.14) Additional information
Next steps and key dates: (25 November 2020): deadline to register for the market engagement event. The agenda and protocols will be provided to all participants prior to the event. The event will be recorded for transparency and audit purposes. (26 November 20): market engagement event held. For further information or any enquiries on the above please contact Hannah.Sherington@dhsc.gov.uk
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
14/12/2020
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
This notice is for information only, and the Department reserves the right to supplement and vary the conduct of the prior engagement process. Where this occurs, the Department will act transparently and treat all interested parties who have expressed an interest equally. The Department reserves the right to discontinue the proposed tendering process and not award any contracts pursuant to this notice. The information contained in this notice, including information relating to the nature and scope of the Department's requirements, the service classification of this requirement or the list of CPV codes, is only indicative of the Department's current thinking and is neither exhaustive nor binding. The Department reserves the right at its absolute discretion to amend it at the time of issue of any further notices or at any other time. The publication of this notice in no way obliges the Department to commence with any competitive tender process. The Department is not and shall not be liable for any costs incurred by those expressing any interest in participating in the market engagement exercise advertised in this notice.
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
17/11/2020