Planning

Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) - Request for Information (RFI)

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

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

12 Sep 2025 at 13:19

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

03 Sep 2025 at 16:42

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process is being handled by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, operating as part of the Crown through the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), based in London. The procurement is currently at the planning stage and involves a Request for Information (RFI) for Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) used in public health. The industry category pertains to goods, specifically diagnostic kits and automated swab test kits. A key date is the due date for the RFI, which is scheduled for 22nd September 2025. This engagement is aimed at understanding the market's capabilities and options for sourcing a potential future requirement to enhance pandemic preparedness, aligning with the UK's contribution to the 100 Days Mission. The procurement method includes a market engagement strategy to inform the future competitive tendering process.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses engaged in manufacturing or supplying diagnostic and testing kits, especially those that cater to respiratory pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A&B. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) would be well-positioned to compete, given the suitability preferences expressed in the tender. By participating in this preliminary market engagement, businesses can influence future procurement strategies and increase their visibility within the UK health sector. Companies with innovative LFD solutions that comply with UKCA/CE marking standards and have the capacity for quality evaluations could significantly benefit and contribute to the UKHSA’s goals for pandemic preparedness and resilience.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) - Request for Information (RFI)

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; and c. inform the Authority's chosen route to market to best enable competition 4. 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. 5. 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. | Description of Scope of Requirements: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is responsible for protecting every member of every community from the impact of infectious diseases, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents and other health threats. We provide intellectual, scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage, to make the nation's health secure. UKHSA uses Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test kits as a critical tool in protecting public health, providing support in outbreak investigations and control measures for SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A&B. To provide greater resilience and flexibility across use cases as part of UKHSAs Pandemic Preparedness strategy and support the UK's contribution to the 100 Days Mission - GOV.UK, which targets deployment of diagnostics within 100 days of identifying a new pandemic threat, it would be beneficial to evaluate the variety of LFD test kits currently on the market and establish the range of respiratory pathogens that can be identified by multiplex LFD kits. The UKHSA requires a UKCA/CE marked self-test respiratory LFD which as a minimum can detect SARS-CoV-2 and Flu A/ B (including H5N1). The product will need to be evaluated for its performance at Porton Down and will also need to pass relevant QC/QA checks. 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=a07Sr00000eYMPrIAO&searchStr=&sortStr=Recently+Published&page=1&filters=&County= UKHSA also intends to publish a further request for information, focusing on on-shoring. Which can be found: https://atamis-1928--prospend.vf.force.com/apex/CS_ContractPage?filters=&page=1&Preview=Yes&searchStr=&SearchType=Proj

Planning Information

Request for Information

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-059396
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056226-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary 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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
22 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jan 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

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
Josh 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

Notice Documents

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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