Planning

Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) - Request for Information (RFI)

UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

12 Sep 2025 at 13:17

Market Engagement Notice
Planning

03 Sep 2025 at 15:33

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process titled "Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) - Request for Information (RFI)" aimed at better understanding the marketplace for diagnostic kits, specifically LFD test kits for SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/B. This engagement is set within the goods industry category and involves a market engagement notice that was last modified on 12th September 2025. The process is centred in London, United Kingdom, with a postal code of E14 4PU. Interested parties have until 22nd September 2025 to engage with the procurement process and provide feedback and information that could help shape future tender opportunities.

This tender process is an excellent opportunity for businesses specialising in diagnostic kits and medical supplies, specifically those able to provide UKCA/CE marked self-test respiratory LFDs. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate, offering them a chance to influence the procurement specifications and gain visibility with the UKHSA. By engaging with this RFI, companies can help refine product requirements and potentially position themselves as preferred vendors for future tender processes. The initiative is of particular interest to those involved in the manufacture or supply of multiplex LFD kits capable of identifying a range of respiratory pathogens, an area poised for growth given the strategic focus on pandemic preparedness and diagnostic resilience.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) - Request for Information (RFI)

Notice Description

Instructions: 1. The purpose of this document is to enhance the Authority's understanding of the marketplace and its options for sourcing for a potential future requirement. 2. The issuance of this request for information (RFI) does not constitute a sourcing exercise nor will the Authority pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a response to this RFI. 3. The UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) key objectives for this RFI are: a. understand the ability of the marketplace to fulfil its requirements; b. refine the scope of the requirements to best align to the marketplace; and c. inform the Authority's chosen route to market to best enable competition 4. 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. 5. 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. UKHSA uses Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test kits as a critical tool in protecting public health, providing support in outbreak investigations and control measures for SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A&B. To provide greater resilience and flexibility across use cases as part of UKHSAs Pandemic Preparedness strategy and support the UK's contribution to the 100 Days Mission - GOV.UK, which targets deployment of diagnostics within 100 days of identifying a new pandemic threat, it would be beneficial to evaluate the variety of LFD test kits currently on the market and establish the range of respiratory pathogens that can be identified by multiplex LFD kits. The UKHSA requires a UKCA/CE marked self-test respiratory LFD which as a minimum can detect SARS-CoV-2 and Flu A/ B (including H5N1). The product will need to be evaluated for its performance at Porton Down and will also need to pass relevant QC/QA checks. 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.my.salesforce-sites.com/ProSpend__CS_ContractPage?SearchType=Projects&uid=a07Sr00000eYMPrIAO&searchStr=&sortStr=Recently+Published&page=1&filters=&County= UKHSA also intends to publish a further request for information, focusing on on-shoring. Which can be found: https://atamis-1928--prospend.vf.force.com/apex/CS_ContractPage?filters=&page=1&Preview=Yes&searchStr=&SearchType=Proj

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-6379f2a4-49b3-4940-bf9d-96fbbc1a9ead
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/bf7cdc4c-f5f3-49cc-afee-dfd2e54a3276
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

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

CPV Codes

33141625 - Diagnostic kits

38912000 - Automated swab test kits

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Sep 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
22 Sep 2025Expired
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
Joshua Williams
Contact Email
joshua.williams@ukhsa.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

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

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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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