Planning

SOL Toxicology and DNA Testing

SOLIHULL METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

22 Apr 2026 at 13:05

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council is planning a public procurement process for toxicology and DNA testing services, crucial for assessing and ensuring children's safety and well-being. This initiative is currently in the planning stage, with a market engagement questionnaire due by 15th May 2026. Interested participants can register and submit their responses via the council's Atamis portal. The contract, titled "SOL Toxicology and DNA Testing," falls under the services category, and the procurement is considered a light-touch regime below the threshold. The services are primarily located in Solihull, United Kingdom, and the procurement process is anticipated to progress with a future notice scheduled for 1st October 2026. The financial scope of the contract is estimated at £500,000, extending over a planned period from 1st April 2027 to 31st March 2031.

This tender creates significant opportunities for businesses specialising in blood analysis services and those experienced in toxicology and DNA testing. Companies with a proven track record in supporting child protection and legal proceedings would be well-suited to compete, as the services are integral to child safety assessments and legal determinations. With a framework agreement intended, businesses capable of delivering comprehensive, reliable testing services aligned with legal and institutional requirements in this sector can enhance their market presence and potentially secure a long-term partnership with Solihull Children's services. The focus on child safety and legal compliance underscores the need for precise and expert service provision, offering strategic growth avenues for businesses in this industry.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

SOL Toxicology and DNA Testing

Notice Description

Solihull MBC are undertaking a market engagement exercise to develop future commissioning plans for Toxicology and DNA Testing. Ensuring that caregivers can provide a safe environment for children is paramount for positive outcomes. Toxicology and DNA testing services play a vital role in assessments and ongoing planning, Solihull Children's services use toxicology services when required, which can be mandated by court, to assist with any assessments when a child's safety or well-being is at risk due to a parent or caregiver's substance use. DNA testing is sometimes required to establish biological relationships between children and alleged relatives. The reports provided support decision-making for child protection, care planning, custody arrangements, legal proceedings and reunification.

Planning Information

Market engagement questionnaire to be returned by 15th May 2026. The questionnaire can be downloaded and returned via the council's Atamis portal https://solihull.my.site.com/s/ . Please register first if this has not already been done.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068895
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036624-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85111810 - Blood analysis services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Apr 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Oct 20266 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2031 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
SOLIHULL METROPOLITAN BOROUGH 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
SOLIHULL
Postcode
B91 3QB
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG32 Solihull
Delivery Location
TLG32 Solihull
Local Authority
Solihull
Electoral Ward
St Alphege
Westminster Constituency
Solihull West and Shirley

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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