Planning

Lateral Flow Devices for Pandemic Preparation

UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

12 Sep 2025 at 10:25

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Health Security Agency is in the planning stage for a procurement process titled "Lateral Flow Devices for Pandemic Preparation," under the industry category of diagnostic kits and automated swab test kits. This initiative, supported by the Cabinet Office Integrated Security Fund, is aimed at preparing for potential pandemics through rapid-scalable onshore production capabilities. The procurement relates to goods and is classified under CPV codes 33141625 and 38912000. The engagement end date is set for 10th October 2025, providing time for suppliers to submit responses. While currently in the planning stage, the procurement is set in London, with a postal code of E14 4PU. It is aimed at strengthening the UK’s manufacturing capacity for lateral flow devices.

This opportunity is particularly valuable for individual manufacturers or manufacturing partnerships specialising in assay development and manufacturing. SMEs are encouraged to respond, as the procurement suitability is catered to smaller enterprises, potentially leading to growth and diversification in the diagnostic devices sector. By engaging now, businesses can position themselves as prime candidates for providing innovative manufacturing solutions for lateral flow tests in response to biosecurity needs. This RFI is not a sourcing exercise, but responses will help shape the scope and requirements for an eventual tender, offering significant potential for businesses capable of scalable production and resilient component supply chains.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Lateral Flow Devices for Pandemic Preparation

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; c. inform the Authority's chosen route to market to best enable competition; d. understand UK's LFD manufacturing ability and capacity; e. understand LFD manufacturing supply chain in regard to what elements are and can be manufactured in the UK ; f. to understand the market's ability of scalable manufacturing capacity in the event pandemic; g. To understand resilience of LFD component supply chain to enable this scale of manufacture at a sustained level; and h. understand the innovation in the marketplace. 3. 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. 4. 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. Scope of this request To address this UKHSA has been funded by the Cabinet Office Integrated Security Fund to identify and evaluate manufacturers capable of rapidly scalable onshore production of lateral flow tests for pandemic response and increased biosecurity. To deliver this project we are seeking individual manufacturers or manufacturing partnerships (e.g. Assay development and Assay manufacturing specialists) to respond to this request which will require submission of information on scale of manufacture in the UK and resilience of the component supply chain to manufacture at that scale for the duration of an outbreak, as well as, the usual test performance requirements which the manufacturer will supply. Following this response from potential manufacturers, we will then review the submissions and where necessary seek further information and assurance through data reviews and audits before selecting suppliers for pilot studies to demonstrate ability to manufacture lateral flow tests for an existing use case e.g. multiplex respiratory antigen lateral flow test by the end of the financial year (31/03/2026). 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=a07Sr00000g8e1lIAA&searchStr=&sortStr=Recently+Published&page=1&filters=&County=

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-86b8771b-f918-4d44-be1e-7d79cf369aa6
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/352f6c0c-f742-4344-94d8-7bdb68996bf3
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
10 Oct 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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