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Request for Information - Lyophilisation services

UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

30 Jun 2026 at 11:20

Market Engagement Notice
Planning

30 Jun 2026 at 11:20

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process concerning lyophilisation services for pathology. This Request for Information (RFI) is aimed at assessing market capabilities for developing and optimising freeze-drying processes for X-ray irradiated pathogens. The objective is to support the UKHSA's Pandemic Preparedness strategy by enhancing the stability and usability of diagnostic materials. The RFI has been published with an engagement end date set for 14th July 2026. The procurement falls under the industry category of pathology services, with the main procurement category being goods, and is relevant for businesses located in the United Kingdom, specifically around London, postal code E14 4PU.

This procurement process offers a significant opportunity for businesses with expertise in handling and stabilising biological materials, particularly those dealing with irradiated pathogens. Companies equipped with the capability to meet ISO 9001 quality standards and provide necessary quality control testing would be well-suited to compete. The engagement seeks to establish a relationship with suppliers who can lyophilise up to 20 pathogens over the next four years, providing strategic resilience in pandemic response capabilities. Potential suppliers should be capable of optimising lyophilisation protocols and ensuring high product quality through rigorous testing, making this an attractive prospect for businesses looking to expand their presence in the medical and health security sectors.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Request for Information - Lyophilisation services

Notice Description

The key dates for this RFI are as follows: RFI Published: 30th June 2026 RFI Response: 14th July 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: UKHSA is seeking to engage with the market to better understand supplier capability for the provision of lyophilisation (freeze-drying) services for X-ray irradiated pathogens to provide greater resilience and flexibility across use cases as part of UKHSA's Pandemic Preparedness strategy. UKHSA requires support in developing optimal formulations and lyophilisation processes to ensure that irradiated, inactivated pathogens can be safely stored, handled, and distributed for diagnostic use and pandemic preparedness. Lyophilisation is required to enhance the long-term stability and usability of these materials, supporting strategic resilience and response capabilities. Requirements: We need the supplier to have: * Ability to handle irradiated, inactive viral and bacterial material in liquid medium * Ability to develop and optimise lyophilisation protocols including assessment of different stabilisation matrices * Appropriate quality system in place (at least ISO 9001) to ensure consistency and traceability * Provide product quality control (QC) testing of final product, including thermal stability and absence of contaminants. * Overall aim is to lyophilise up to 20 pathogens over the next 4 years o Estimated vial volume for lyophilisation is 0.3mL - 2mL o Estimated batch size for lyophilisation is 6 - 100mL o Estimated number of batches per year is 5 Should you wish to respond to this Request for Information, please complete the response questionnaire which is found at the following link: https://atamis-1928--prospend.vf.force.com/apex/CS_ContractPage?filters=&page=1&Preview=Yes&searchStr=&SearchType=Projects&sortStr=Alphabetical&uid=a07Pz00001jEyqdIAC&sfdcIFrameOrigin=https://atamis-1928.lightning.force.com

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-2f5554a0-3f1a-4ed2-929f-956043013b80
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/397f4807-4222-46ba-bbf3-5b61714b6950
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

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85111800 - Pathology services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Jun 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
14 Jul 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
Post Town
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

JSON Markdown

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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