Award

Provision for Custom Synthesis of DNA Molecules

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE ACTING AS PART OF THE CROWN THROUGH UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

19 Jun 2025 at 13:26

Summary of the contracting process

The recent procurement process led by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care through the UK Health Security Agency involved the provision of custom synthesis of DNA molecules at the UKHSA Porton Down facility in Salisbury, UK. This procurement, categorised under research laboratory services, followed a limited procurement method, specifically a direct award without prior publication of a call for competition. The tender was fully awarded on 6th June 2025 to Twist Bioscience, the sole supplier, due to unique intellectual property rights and supply needs specific to their capabilities. The procurement stage is complete, and the contract has been duly signed, underlining a targeted approach tailored to the agency's precise requirements.

This tender presents a unique opportunity for businesses specialising in biotechnology and the synthesis of oligonucleotides. Companies possessing significant intellectual property and specialised expertise in custom DNA molecule synthesis might align well with such procurement needs in the future. Expansion efforts could be focused on research and development capabilities and securing intellectual property that meets specialised requirements, enabling them to engage in similar direct award contracts. While this particular contract was not open to competition due to its specific needs, understanding and positioning for niche scientific services could help businesses leverage comparable opportunities within the public sector.

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Notice Title

Provision for Custom Synthesis of DNA Molecules

Notice Description

Provision of Custom Synthesis of DNA Molecules for UKHSA Porton Down.

Lot Information

Lot 1

This requirement is for a custom synthesised oligo and mutagenized libraries. The contract will also include the ability to order other libraries as required and cloning of the above nucleotides.
All oligonucleotide synthesis is priced on the scale of the library and size of the individual components of the library (as below) as well additional fees for cloning/purification. It is expected we would require synthesis of oligos between 5,000 (Tier 6) and 50,000 (Tier 13) of nucleotides 121-150 nt in length

Procurement Information

The proposed procurement route is a Direct Award (Reg. 32(2)(b) and (c). The contract will be awarded due to the awarded supplier being the sole supplier of specific oligonucleotides required by the Agency and distinct intellectual property rights owned by the awarded supplier and sole supply rights.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05501a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033747-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
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

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

73111000 - Research laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Jun 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
5 Jun 20258 months 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
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE ACTING AS PART OF THE CROWN THROUGH UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY
Contact Name
Commercial Operations
Contact Email
procurementnotices@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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

TWIST BIOSCIENCE

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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