Tender

P2315 - Examination and of Testing of Electronic Cigarettes Seized by BCC Trading Standards Officers

BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

28 May 2025 at 16:25

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Birmingham City Council is currently in the tender stage of procurement for the "P2315 - Examination and Testing of Electronic Cigarettes Seized by BCC Trading Standards Officers". This initiative falls under the industry categories of technical testing services and laboratory services, occurring within the UK region UKG31. The objective is to contract a supplier with an accredited laboratory to examine electronic cigarettes to ensure compliance with The Tobacco and Related Product Regulations 2016. Potential suppliers must submit their completed quotations via the 'in-tend' e-tendering system by 12pm on 18th June 2025. The tender process adheres to an open competition approach, with a procurement method below the threshold, ensuring transparency and competitiveness in supplier selection.

This tender presents a growth opportunity for businesses specialising in laboratory services, technical testing, and those with expertise in compliance testing of consumer products. Companies with UKAS accreditation and the capacity to deliver conclusive analytical reports within 14 days will find themselves well-suited to fulfill this contract's requirements. The demand for swift, accurate testing supports ongoing enforcement of consumer protection legislation, providing consistent business opportunities for companies meeting these stringent standards. Furthermore, with quality conditions accounting for 70% of the award criteria, businesses focusing on high-quality service delivery have an advantageous position to secure growth through this procurement opportunity.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

P2315 - Examination and of Testing of Electronic Cigarettes Seized by BCC Trading Standards Officers

Notice Description

Birmingham City Council (the Council) is seeking for organisations to submit a quotation for: "P2315 Examination and of Testing of Electronic Cigarettes Seized by BCC Trading Standards Officers". Introduction The Council requires a supplier for the provision of a service for examination of electronic cigarettes ("Vapes") seized by Birmingham City Council's Trading Standards Officers to check the electronic cigarette are compliant with the law. Trading standards is a statutory function within the local authority, and they enforce over 300 pieces of consumer protection legislation. The local weights and measures authority in Birmingham City Council (trading standards) has a statutory duty to enforce the provisions of The Tobacco and Related Product Regulations 2016. Under the provisions of this legislation it is a criminal offence for traders to supply a vape which does not comply with product requirements under regulation 36 (2) (b) of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. These requirements are that the nicotine-containing liquid in the single use cartridge, or tank volume must not exceed 2 millilitres, and the capacity of the tank must not exceed 2 millilitres. If the electronic cigarette tested fail one of these tests, then the retail or wholesale supplier selling the electronic cigarette is in contravention of Regulation 48(d) of The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. As such Trading Standards service have a duty to enforce this legislation by way of carrying out inspections at retail and wholesale premises. Where non-compliant items are found they are seized and sent off for testing to an accredited laboratory which is able to test for nicotine quantity and tank capacity. The supplier providing the accredited laboratory also has also to provide an expert report and witness statement that can be used in a criminal court case. On average, from a retail trade inspection, officers can seize an average of 400 electronic cigarette per premise. A sample of the seized electronic cigarette are sent off for examination. The aim of this procurement exercise is to contract a supplier with an accredited laboratory to carry out the testing of electronic cigarette seized by BCC trading standards officers. Requirements/Specification The supplier must be part of an accredited test house (e.g., UKAS) and carry out testing to ISO/IEC standards with suitably qualified staff and systems in order to test electronic cigarette to find out whether: 1. The tank capacity size containing the liquid is greater than 2 million millilitres ( tank capacity of 2 million ml or less is required by section 36(2)(b) of The Tobacco and Related Products 2016 Regulations). 2. The Nicotine concentration is greater than 20.00mg/mL (nicotine concentration of 20.00mg/mL or less is required by section 36 (4) of the Tobacco and Related Products 2016 Regulations). The supplier must be able to produce a comprehensive analytical report about the findings derived from testing the electronic cigarette (with full evidential traceability of samples) and supply this report to BCC Trading Standards. The report needs to confirm if the electronic cigarette tested is complaint or non-complaint with the Tobacco and Related Products 2016 regulations. This report will be appended by Trading Standards Service along with a separate witness statement that is provided by the test house exhibiting the full test report and analysis of the non-compliant electronic cigarette. This is required by the investigating officer as part of the evidence supplied to court. By providing this report, the test house confirms the electronic cigarette have been analysed and they are prepared to attend court to give evidence to support the report's findings (if necessary). The supplier should be able to test the electronic cigarette and produce the resulting report within 14 days of receiving samples from the Council. The average, sample size the Council will send to the supplier for testing will consist of 10-15 electronic cigarette. Trading Standards normally carries out around 4 inspections a month. The supplier should be able to cope with testing this volume of products. The Council will be using its free to use e-tendering system (in-tend) for the administration of this procurement process and potential suppliers must register with the system to be able to express an interest. If you wish to express an interest in this opportunity please click on the following link to access https://in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc/ and submit your details to register. You will then be able to log on which will enable you to download all relevant quotation documentation. If you are unable to register with In-tend or have any questions or problems on how to use this web site please either email us at: etendering@birmingham.gov.uk. Your completed quotation submission should be returned by 12pm on 18th June 2025 via the 'in-tend' system https://in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-052865
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028273-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

15991300 - Cigarettes

71632000 - Technical testing services

71900000 - Laboratory services

73111000 - Research laboratory services

73430000 - Test and evaluation

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£30,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£30,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 May 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
18 Jun 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
21 Jul 2025 - 20 Jul 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Commercial and Procurement
Contact Email
etendering@birmingham.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B1 1BB
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLG31 Birmingham
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Ladywood
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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