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Framework for the Provision of Forensic Testing

Wakefield Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

19 Oct 2026 at 17:52

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

09 Oct 2025 at 14:27

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Council of the City of Wakefield is seeking forensic testing services to inform decisions, particularly on safeguarding children and young people. The requirement is divided into DNA testing and drug and alcohol testing. The DNA lot covers testing, including sampling and collection where appropriate. The drug and alcohol lot covers sampling and collection, analysis, and expert witness reports. Services are for delivery in Wakefield. Suppliers may bid for either lot or both. This is a health and social work services procurement (CPV 85000000), arranged as a closed framework with a maximum of three suppliers for each lot. The framework provides a route for the council to call off testing services when required.

The council invited offers through an open procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. The process reached tender, with bids submitted electronically through YORtender. The submission deadline was 18 November 2026 at 12 noon; the stated award decision date was 1 April 2027. The framework is scheduled to run from 1 April 2027 to 30 March 2029, with two optional 12-month extensions, potentially extending to 30 March 2031. Each lot has an estimated value of £1.7 million excluding VAT (£2.04 million including VAT). Bidders can compete for one or both lots and may be awarded either or both. Evaluation for each lot weights quality method statement answers at 60%, price at 30% and social value at 10%. The framework allows call-offs by mini-competition or direct award.

The opportunity suits providers able to deliver forensic testing for public-sector safeguarding and related decision-making. DNA specialists will need to provide testing and, where appropriate, sample collection. Drug and alcohol testing providers need capability across sample collection, laboratory analysis and preparation of expert witness reports. Suppliers can focus on the lot matching their service or compete across both, and the framework can accommodate up to three providers on each lot. This structure may suit small and medium-sized businesses and voluntary, community or social enterprises, which are identified as suitable participants. Bidders should be prepared to explain their service methods and demonstrate quality, while addressing the council’s social-value assessment alongside price. Framework suppliers may receive work through either a mini-competition or a direct award.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Framework for the Provision of Forensic Testing

Notice Description

The Council would like to establish a Closed Framework Agreement for the Provision of Forensic Testing. Forensic Testing (a term used to cover DNA, drug and alcohol testing) is used to help inform decision making, particularly with regard to the safeguarding of children and young people. The proposed Closed Framework Agreement will run for an initial period of 2 years with the option to extend, on two occasions, each for a 12-month period (2 + 1 + 1). The Closed Framework will be procured via the Open Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023 The Closed Framework Agreement will be split into 2 lots, with a maximum of 3 suppliers awarded to each lot: * Lot 1 = DNA Testing * Lot 2 = Drug and Alcohol Testing

Lot Information

DNA Testing

DNA testing including sampling and collection where appropriate.

Renewal: Option to extend, on two occasions, each for a 12-month period.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

Drug and alcohol testing includes sampling and collection, testing analysis and expert witness reports.

Renewal: Option to extend, on two occasions, each for a 12-month period.

Planning Information

The market engagement opportunity can be accessed vis the Mercell YORtender system YORtender (eu-supply.com) using reference 104186. Questionnaires must be submitted via the YORtender system no later than 07th November at 12 noon.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05abb4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/098704-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,700,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,700,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
18 Nov 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 30 Mar 2029 1-2 years
Recurrence
2031-04-01

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Wakefield 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
WAKEFIELD
Postcode
WF1 2HQ
Postcode Area
Wakefield
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE4 West Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE45 Wakefield
Delivery Location
TLE45 Wakefield
Local Authority
Wakefield
Electoral Ward
Wakefield North
Westminster Constituency
Wakefield and Rothwell

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.

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