Planning

Request for Information - Containment Level 3 (CL3) UK Capacity

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

19 Jan 2026 at 17:06

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

19 Jan 2026 at 16:56

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process is initiated by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, through the UK Health Security Agency, aiming to explore the Containment Level 3 (CL3) UK laboratory capacity. Classified under laboratory services, this procurement falls within the services sector with its location designated as the United Kingdom. Currently in the planning stage, the procurement began with the release of a Request for Information (RFI) on 19th January 2026 and is set for responses by 2nd February 2026. The procurement process highlights a preliminary market engagement to gather insights from operational CL3 facilities across the UK, with important communication updates expected by 1st April 2026.

This tender provides promising opportunities for organisations operating CL3 laboratories to collaborate with a central government body during critical public health emergencies or surge periods. By identifying spare capacity and evaluating the technical and governance capabilities of potential partners, this initiative is seeking to establish flexible and effective alliances. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) would find this tender particularly advantageous, as it offers scope for engagement in public health initiatives extending from 2026 to 2030, enabling them to leverage their existing facilities and technical expertise in a high-impact domain.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Request for Information - Containment Level 3 (CL3) UK Capacity

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. The key dates for this RFI are as follows: 1. RFI Published: 19th January 2026 2. RFI Response 2nd February 2026 5. 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. 6. 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 exploring opportunities to supplement its existing Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratory capacity through collaboration with operational CL3 facilities across the UK. This Request for Information (RFI) seeks to understand the capabilities, readiness, and interest of organisations that currently operate CL3 laboratories and may be able to support UKHSA's public health mission during surge periods or emergencies. Objectives - Identify operational CL3 laboratories with spare capacity or surge readiness. -Assess technical, digital, and governance capabilities for collaboration. - Explore commercial models for potential engagement with UKHSA. This RFI is intended for organisations that currently operate CL3 laboratories in the UK. Responses should focus on existing facilities and capabilities that could be mobilised to support UKHSA's laboratory operations, particularly during public health emergencies or periods of high demand. A copy of the RFI can be downloaded from: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/b4a0097e-f858-42ae-bc7b-4f5bafe87933 Should you wish to respond to this Request for Information, please complete and return the attached RFI via email to joshua.williams@ukhsa.gov.uk.

Planning Information

Request for information.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06093b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004528-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71900000 - Laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Jan 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 1 Jun 2030 4-5 years
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

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06093b-2026-01-19T17:06:15Z",
    "date": "2026-01-19T17:06:15Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06093b",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PBMQ-7576-DVGW",
            "name": "Secretary of State for Health and Social Care acting as part of the Crown through UK Health Security Agency",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PBMQ-7576-DVGW"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "10 South Colonnade",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "E14 4PU",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKI42"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Josh Williams",
                "email": "joshua.williams@ukhsa.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PBMQ-7576-DVGW",
        "name": "Secretary of State for Health and Social Care acting as part of the Crown through UK Health Security Agency"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "Request for information.",
                "dueDate": "2026-02-02T23:59:59Z",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "004522-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004522-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-01-19T16:56:16Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "004528-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004528-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-01-19T17:06:15Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "C416074",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Request for Information - Containment Level 3 (CL3) UK Capacity",
        "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. The key dates for this RFI are as follows: 1. RFI Published: 19th January 2026 2. RFI Response 2nd February 2026 5. 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. 6. 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 exploring opportunities to supplement its existing Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratory capacity through collaboration with operational CL3 facilities across the UK. This Request for Information (RFI) seeks to understand the capabilities, readiness, and interest of organisations that currently operate CL3 laboratories and may be able to support UKHSA's public health mission during surge periods or emergencies. Objectives - Identify operational CL3 laboratories with spare capacity or surge readiness. -Assess technical, digital, and governance capabilities for collaboration. - Explore commercial models for potential engagement with UKHSA. This RFI is intended for organisations that currently operate CL3 laboratories in the UK. Responses should focus on existing facilities and capabilities that could be mobilised to support UKHSA's laboratory operations, particularly during public health emergencies or periods of high demand. A copy of the RFI can be downloaded from: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/b4a0097e-f858-42ae-bc7b-4f5bafe87933 Should you wish to respond to this Request for Information, please complete and return the attached RFI via email to joshua.williams@ukhsa.gov.uk.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71900000",
                        "description": "Laboratory services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 1,
            "amount": 1,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-06-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2030-06-01T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-04-01T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planning",
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "004528-2026",
                "description": "Inclusion of attachment."
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}