This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

02 Mar 2021 at 12:57

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process titled "DoJ FSNI Supply and Delivery of Extraction Kits and Consumables" is managed by the DoJ Forensic Science Northern Ireland (DoJ FSNI) based in Belfast, UK. The contract falls under the goods category, specifically focusing on biological evidence collection kits, with an estimated value of £200,000. As of its award date on 17th February 2021, the procurement stage is complete, having been executed through a limited procurement method without prior publication of a call for competition due to the nature of the requirement. The successful supplier, whose identity is withheld for security reasons, is expected to ensure the delivery of kits necessary for the extraction of DNA from various sample types.

This opportunity presents significant potential for businesses involved in the supply of forensic and biological equipment, particularly those that focus on high-quality and compliant extraction kits. Companies that are capable of meeting the stringent regulations set forth by UKAS and the Home Office, leveraging current technologies in sample processing and validation, will be well-positioned to compete. The unique requirements of the Forensic Science Northern Ireland, including their reliance on proprietary technologies, may create further niche opportunities for specialized suppliers in the forensic science sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

DoJ FSNI Supply and Delivery of Extraction Kits and Consumables

Notice Description

The DNA Unit of Forensic Science Northern Ireland (FSNI) is currently validated under Home Office Regulations for the processing, sequencing and profiling of samples for the recovery of Human DNA profiles, to judicial standards. This provides the basis upon which FSNI is permitted to upload DNA Profiles to the UK National DNA Database (NDNADB). As a UK Forensic Science Provider (FSP) customer expectations are that FSNI be validated with the UK Home Office for the upload and searching of DNA profiles. FSNI are required to conduct adequate testing and monitoring of current processes via scientific validation to standards set and approved by UKAS. UKAS approve FSNI under ISO17025 for Testing Laboratories. Without the Accreditation of UKAS, FSNI would not be permitted to conduct the current DNA processes and FSNI would no longer be in a position to meet customer demands. The DNA Unit at FSNI require Extraction Kits and Consumables for the extraction of DNA from various sample types (blood, semen, saliva, hair and skin cells).

Lot Information

Lot 1

The DNA Unit at FSNI require Extraction Kits and Consumables for the extraction of DNA from various sample types (blood, semen, saliva, hair and skin cells).

Procurement Information

The DNA Unit of Forensic Science Northern Ireland (FSNI) is currently validated under Home Office Regulations for the processing, sequencing and profiling of samples for the recovery of Human DNA profiles, to judicial standards. This provides the basis upon which FSNI is permitted to upload DNA Profiles to the UK National DNA Database (NDNADB). As a UK Forensic Science Provider (FSP) customer expectations are that FSNI be validated with the UK Home Office for the upload and searching of DNA profiles. The Home Office require FSNI to hold Accreditation to current standards. The Home Office require all DNA suppliers, wishing to avail of NDNADB functions, to be Accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). UKAS carry out inspection, testing and trials of Service Provision and Quality Assurance on behalf of the Home Office, thereby, giving the Home Office the confidence in FSNI processes and work standards to the expected level to meet Judicial Standards. FSNI are required to conduct adequate testing and monitoring of current processes via scientific validation to standards set and approved by UKAS. UKAS approve FSNI under ISO17025 for Testing Laboratories. Without the Accreditation of UKAS, FSNI would not be permitted to conduct the current DNA processes and FSNI would no longer be in a position to meet customer demands. The DNA Unit at FSNI have validated [WITHHELD] Extraction Kits and Consumables for the extraction of DNA from various sample types (blood, semen, saliva, hair and skin cells). This validation has been accredited by UKAS as have the procedures for extraction. These procedures are covered by the Quality Management System at FSNI and are subject to both internal audit and method witness by UKAS during surveillance and re-accreditation visits. As such [WITHHELD] extraction kits and consumables provide a highly robust platform for the recovery of extracted DNA. [WITHHELD] Extraction kits and consumables are approved by the Home Office as meeting the required standards under NDNADB requirements. This Direct Award Contract (DAC) will allow FSNI to purchase Extraction Kits and Consumables directly from [WITHHELD, who] are the sole supplier and hold Intellectual Property Rights to these kits and consumables. By purchasing these kits FSNI will obtain a License Agreement under which FSNI will be allowed to utilise the data recovered for Judicial Purposes. FSNI have been processing DNA Profiles using [WITHHELD] for a number of years. It is a requirement that samples be matched between individuals, crime scenes and items. FSNI will not be in a position to use alternative kits for extraction as sample will no longer be reproduced to allow for such matching. Any alternative extraction kit would utilise different chemistries and the results could not be matched between a sample recovered using [WITHHELD] kits versus an alternative extraction kit. An extraction kit produces a DNA extract, which is a bulk sample of DNA, the quantity of DNA present will be dependent on many factors (including sample type, age and substrate). In order to provide a match under DNA requirements the sample must been seen as having been extracted and processed using similar protocols and chemistries. FSNI must be able to match sample taken today with samples taken many years ago, and potentially into the future.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-029788
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004131-2021
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products


CPV Codes

33954000 - Biological evidence collection kits

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Mar 20215 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
17 Feb 20215 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DoJ Forensic Science Northern Ireland (DoJ FSNI)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT3 9ED
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
TLN0D Antrim and Newtownabbey

Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Sydenham
Westminster Constituency
Belfast East

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

As per Regulation 50(6)(a) - information withheld for security reasons

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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