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Request for information - Liquid Handling Robots

UK Health Security Agency

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

28 Aug 2026 at 10:20

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Health Security Agency is exploring liquid handling robotics for its sequencing laboratories in Bristol, Colindale, Manchester and Porton Down, with delivery in the United Kingdom. The equipment would support laboratory processing for nucleic acid sequencing services, including pathogen surveillance programmes, clinical metagenomics sequencing and outbreak detection. The procurement forms part of UKHSA’s Pathogen Genomics Strategy and Pandemic Preparedness Programme, intended to maintain and expand the capacity and efficiency of its genomics services. This is a laboratory equipment requirement, within the broader category of laboratory, optical and precision equipment (CPV 38000000). Suppliers should therefore focus on automated liquid handling systems suitable for sequencing workflows and public health laboratory environments.

This process is at the planning stage and is currently a request for information rather than an invitation to tender. UKHSA published the RFI on 28 August 2026 and expects responses by 11 September 2026. The engagement end date is 11 September 2026. UKHSA says that it will not enter into contracts on the basis of RFI replies, and that not responding will not affect a supplier’s ability to tender for any future opportunity. The process is intended to help UKHSA explore available liquid handling robotics before any future procurement. No contract value, budget, contract duration, lot structure, award criteria or tender procedure is set out at this stage.

This engagement is relevant to specialist manufacturers, distributors and technology providers of liquid handling robotics for genomics, molecular biology or high-throughput laboratory processing. Suppliers with demonstrable experience supporting nucleic acid sequencing workflows and pathogen surveillance, clinical metagenomics or outbreak detection are well placed to contribute useful market information. Relevant preparation may include evidence of reliable automation, throughput, accuracy, integration with laboratory processes and the ability to support deployment across multiple UKHSA sequencing sites. UKHSA has indicated that the requirement is not suited to SMEs or voluntary, community and social enterprises, so the intended market is larger specialist suppliers or established organisations with the capacity to provide and support laboratory robotics at national scale.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Request for information - Liquid Handling Robots

Notice Description

The key dates for this RFI are as follows: RFI Published: 28 August 2026 RFI Response: 11 September 2026 Should you have any questions or queries relating to this RFI, please use the Atamis portal's messaging centre to direct your questions to us for a response. If a response is not received by the RFI response deadline this will have no impact on your ability to tender for the opportunity in the future. UKHSA will not enter into contracts on the basis of replies to this RFI. Description of Scope of Requirements: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is responsible for protecting every member of every community from the impact of infectious diseases, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents and other health threats. We provide intellectual, scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage, to make the nation's health secure. Background: The UKHSA Sequencing Laboratories in Bristol, Colindale, Manchester, and Porton Down offer nucleic acid sequencing services to support a variety of public health and clinical functions. These services currently include ongoing pathogen surveillance programmes, clinical metagenomics sequencing, and outbreak detection. As part of the UKHSA Pathogen Genomics Strategy and Pandemic Preparedness Programme, we are looking to maintain and expand the capacity and efficiency of our Genomics services. We therefore wish to explore available liquid handling robotics to support sequencing laboratory processing. Should you wish to respond to this Request for Information or require more information, please follow the link below: https://atamis-1928--prospend.vf.force.com/apex/CS_ContractPage?filters=&page=1&Preview=Yes&searchStr=&SearchType=Projects&sortStr=Alphabetical&uid=a07Pz00001uBE2zIAG&sfdcIFrameOrigin=https://atamis-1928.lightning.force.com

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-09c27976-6c7c-46c8-81c6-27b6ba013967
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f890efff-d994-4608-bbb6-dcb5b2aae8cf
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Aug 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
11 Sep 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
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

Further Information

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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