Planning

Provision of Laboratory Services for Testing of Alcohol Dependency

DRIVER AND VEHICLE LICENSING AGENCY

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

26 Mar 2026 at 15:35

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

24 Mar 2026 at 09:07

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

19 Mar 2026 at 13:53

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

18 Mar 2026 at 15:55

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

16 Mar 2026 at 10:32

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

09 Mar 2026 at 09:37

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is seeking suppliers for a contract titled "Provision of Laboratory Services for Testing of Alcohol Dependency," focusing on laboratory services as part of their effort to support decision-making within the Drivers Medical Group. The procurement process is currently at the planning stage, with a significant preliminary market engagement set to take place via MS Teams on 13th and 14th May 2026. This event aims to facilitate market sounding and requirement development with interested service providers. The agency, located in Swansea, United Kingdom, requires national coverage for blood sample analysis sourced from Franchise Doctors across Great Britain, employing Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) testing. Interested suppliers must express their interest via email by 1st April 2026, as per the extended deadline.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses in the laboratory services sector, especially those equipped to handle widespread national distribution and analysis. With a gross contract value of £9,504,000, the procurement is above threshold, indicating a significant commercial opportunity, particularly suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs). The contract is set for commencement in September 2028, providing a long-term engagement opportunity with potential renewals planned up to August 2034, fostering sustainable business growth for providers capable of delivering an efficient and confidential screening process.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Laboratory Services for Testing of Alcohol Dependency

Notice Description

Provision of Laboratory Services for Testing of Alcohol Dependency for DVLA

Planning Information

DVLA, on behalf Of the Secretary of State (SoS) require a contract for the provision of Laboratory Services to support the decision-making process within DVLA's Drivers Medical Group (DMG). The purpose of the laboratory services procurement is to procure an accurate and confidential blood sample screening using Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) testing. The successful supplier must be capable of providing national coverage throughout Great Britain. The Contractor/ Supplier will be required to transport samples from Franchise Doctors across Great Britain to the Supplier's nominated laboratory for analysis. The purpose of this UK 2 Preliminary market engagement notice is to alert interested service providers of this requirement and highlight that DVLA plans to hold a Supplier Event for the purpose of market sounding and to enable DVLA to describe and develop our proposed requirements. The virtual Supplier Day has been scheduled for the 13 & 14 May 2026 and will be held via MS Teams. An open presentation by DVLA will take place on the morning of 13 May, with individual sessions for suppliers on the afternoon of the 13 May and throughout the day the 14 May. Interested Suppliers must express their interest via e-mail to both: Rhodri.Llewellyn@dvla.gov.uk and Mandy.Hodgson@dvla.gov.uk, no later than 1pm on 2 April 2026 quoting the following reference: CRN-25-02 - Provision of Laboratory Services for Testing Marker of Alcohol Consumption in Alcohol Use Disorder. After the Supplier Event, DVLA will form a strategy and anticipates commencing a procurement exercise with the publication of a UK3 Planned Procurement notice in July 2026 and a UK4 Tender Notice in December 2026. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEADLINE FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST HAS BEEN EXTENDED FROM 26/3/2026 TO 1/4/2026 TO ALLOW FOR EXPRESSIONS IN LINE WITH AN AMENDMENT TO THE SPECIFIC SAMPLE COLLECTION METHOD.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0664ea
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028076-2026
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
£7,920,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Dec 20267 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2028 - 31 Aug 2031 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DRIVER AND VEHICLE LICENSING AGENCY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWANSEA
Postcode
SA6 7JL
Post Town
Swansea
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL4 Mid and South West Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL43 Swansea
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Swansea
Electoral Ward
Mynydd-bach
Westminster Constituency
Swansea West

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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