Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Westminster City Council P81 - Toxicology Services for the Coroner

Westminster City Council

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

21 Oct 2026 at 20:45

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
AwardUpdate

15 Oct 2026 at 17:35

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

06 Oct 2026 at 11:34

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

16 Jan 2026 at 12:51

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

28 Apr 2025 at 13:32

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Westminster City Council is procuring toxicology services for the Inner West London Coroner’s Court, which serves Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Wandsworth and Merton. The work supports investigations into deaths by providing analysis to help pathologists establish medical causes of death. Services include comprehensive testing of biological samples such as blood, urine and tissue; detecting and measuring medicines, illicit drugs, alcohol, poisons and other toxic substances; in-house hair analysis for drugs of abuse; detailed reports; and, when required, expert witness support and advice on findings. Testing is to follow guidelines agreed by the United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists, recognised by the Forensic Science Regulator and Chief Coroner. Analysis is tailored to each case, measuring drug concentrations that can be interpreted. Hair analysis has routinely been offered for these cases. The service supports the coroner’s jurisdiction in Inner West London.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded to Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on 6 October 2026. The awarded value is £1,309,000 excluding VAT (£1,570,800 including VAT). The contract period is 23 November 2026 to 22 November 2031, with two optional 12-month extensions at the Council’s discretion, potentially extending the term to 22 November 2033. This was a single-lot competition using an open procedure. Five bids reached the final stage. Evaluation weighted technical quality at 60%, including 10% for responsible procurement and social value, and cost at 40%. Economic and technical selection criteria applied. The award was subject to a mandatory standstill period, which was extended; it was due to end at midnight on 23 October 2026. A future contract signature date was scheduled for 20 November 2026.

For suppliers considering this requirement when it next comes to market, credibility depends on delivering forensic toxicology for coronial investigations rather than general laboratory testing alone. Relevant capabilities include comprehensive analysis of biological samples, reliable detection and quantification across prescription and illicit drugs, alcohol, poisons and other toxic substances, and in-house hair testing for drugs of abuse. Suppliers need to produce clear, detailed findings that help pathologists determine cause of death, tailor the test programme to individual cases and report only interpretable drug concentrations. The service also calls for toxicology advice and the ability to provide expert witnesses in court when needed. Work must follow the United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists’ guidelines, recognised by the Forensic Science Regulator and Chief Coroner. The awarded contract indicates a substantial, continuing service requirement across four London boroughs.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Westminster City Council P81 - Toxicology Services for the Coroner

Notice Description

The Inner West London Coroner's Court provides coronial services for the City of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Wandsworth and Merton. The Senior Coroner for Inner West London is procuring toxicology services to support the investigation of deaths within the Jurisdiction. Results of toxicological testing can be vital for pathologists to ascertain the medical cause of death. The required toxicology services will include, but are not limited to: - Comprehensive toxicological analysis of biological samples (e.g., blood, urine, tissue). - Detection and quantification of drugs (over the counter and illicit), alcohol, poisons, and other toxic substances. - In house hair analysis for drugs of abuse. - Provision of detailed toxicology reports to assist in determining the cause of death. - Expert witness services for court proceedings, if necessary. - Consultation and advisory services related to toxicology findings. All services are required to be carried out following the guidelines agreed by the United Kingdom & Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists. These guidelines are recognised by the Forensic Science Regulator and Chief Coroner. Analysis is required to be tailored to each case individually to ensure all necessary analysis is carried out but only those drug concentrations which can be interpreted are measured. At present, hair analysis is routinely offered for all the Inner West London Coroner's cases.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: 2 x optional 12 month extensions subject to Council requirements.

Planning Information

To register your interest please submit and EOI to jpeek@westminster.gov.uk by 12pm on 16th June 2025. You will then be added to the opportunity when released.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-050859
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/099723-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

71620000 - Analysis services

85111800 - Pathology services

85111810 - Blood analysis services

85148000 - Medical analysis services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,309,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,309,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£1,309,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Oct 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
16 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
1 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
6 Oct 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
23 Nov 2026 - 22 Nov 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Westminster City Council
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
SW1E 6QP
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Further Information

Notice Documents

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.

Loading OCDS record...