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Virachip system (RIPL Lab 01/150)

UK Health Security Agency

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

05 Oct 2026 at 18:00

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Health Security Agency is buying a replacement ViraChip system for the Respiratory and Infection Prevention Laboratory (RIPL), which serves as England’s frontline reference laboratory for Lyme disease testing. The equipment uses a multiplex protein microarray with VlsE and other Borrelia-specific antigens to assess a broad antibody response. It detects both IgM and IgG antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, supporting diagnosis across different stages of infection. The procurement is for diagnostic detection and analysis equipment, delivered to London. Its purpose is to replace the laboratory’s existing system and maintain its Lyme disease immunoblot testing service.

The procurement is complete and awarded to Camlab Limited through a selective call-off from a framework agreement. The award was made on 30 September 2026, at a value of £51,480.37. The contract period runs from 30 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. The original tender submission deadline was 29 September 2026. The published information identifies one equipment requirement rather than separate lots. The evaluation criteria and supplier eligibility requirements are not described in the available procurement details.

This award shows UKHSA’s demand for specialist laboratory equipment that can support reference-level Lyme disease testing, rather than general-purpose diagnostic apparatus. Suppliers competing for a future requirement of this kind would need to provide a ViraChip platform or a suitable replacement that performs multiplex testing across VlsE and other Borrelia-specific antigens, detecting both IgM and IgG antibodies. Credibility will depend on demonstrating that the system can sustain immunoblot testing for a frontline reference laboratory and support diagnosis across stages of infection. The route used was a framework call-off, so suppliers seeking similar work should be positioned within a relevant framework and able to fulfil a defined equipment replacement requirement for a public health laboratory. The award provides evidence of a focused, short-term equipment purchase by UKHSA.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Virachip system (RIPL Lab 01/150)

Notice Description

This requirement is for the replacement of the existing Virachip system used by RIPL to carry out Lyme disease immunoblot testing for which RIPL acts as the frontline reference laboratory in England for this diagnostic service. The ViraChip platform uses a multiplex protein microarray containing the VlsE antigen together with multiple Borrelia-specific antigens. This enables simultaneous assessment of a broad antibody response rather than reliance on a single marker. The assay detects both IgM and IgG antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, supporting diagnosis across different stages of infection.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-06f088cc-6279-4604-b063-e18b1feeb185
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5be83a4d-88a3-484d-ab01-6f91e0c05a1b
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a framework agreement
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

CPV Codes

38430000 - Detection and analysis apparatus

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£51,480 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£51,480 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Oct 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
30 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK Health Security Agency
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
E14 4PU
Postcode Area
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI42 Tower Hamlets
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Tower Hamlets
Electoral Ward
Canary Wharf
Westminster Constituency
Poplar and Limehouse

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Camlab Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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