Planning

Ask AI

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

Open in ChatGPT
OpenAI's assistant
Open in Claude
Anthropic's assistant
Open in Perplexity
Answer engine, cites sources
Open in Google AI Mode
Google's AI search
View Markdown
Share

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Email
Send a link by email
WhatsApp
Share in a WhatsApp chat
LinkedIn
Post to your network
Microsoft Teams
Share to a Teams chat

Request for Information - Medical Device Quality Control (QC) Testing 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

12 May 2026 at 14:41

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

27 Apr 2026 at 15:27

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care through the UK Health Security Agency is currently in the planning stage. It includes a Request for Information (RFI) titled "Medical Device Quality Control (QC) Testing Capacity", which was published on 27th April 2026 with a response deadline of 29th May 2026. The project focuses on enhancing Quality Control testing for medical devices, primarily targeting facilities in the United Kingdom. This engagement aims to refine the agency's understanding of the available marketplace capabilities and better align their requirements with industry capabilities. Key participants involved in the planning are located at the UK Health Security Agency in London, and the contact point for this engagement is Josh Williams.

This procurement presents a significant opportunity for businesses within the technical inspection, laboratory, and quality control service sectors, particularly those with expertise in operating QC testing facilities for medical devices. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate, offering them potential growth through collaborations with the UKHSA. Businesses equipped with technical, digital, and governance capabilities, as well as those offering innovative commercial models, may find this tender advantageous. The engagement seeks participants ready to contribute to the UKHSA’s public health mission during high demand periods, ensuring preparedness for future procurements and an opportunity to define competitive market strategies.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Request for Information - Medical Device Quality Control (QC) Testing Capacity

Notice Description

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: 27th April 2026 2. RFI Response: 17:00 - 29th May 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 responsible for protecting the public from infectious diseases, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards, and other health threats. We provide scientific, operational and strategic leadership nationally, locally, and internationally to strengthen the nation's health security. UKHSA is assessing opportunities to enhance its existing Quality Control (QC) testing capability through collaboration with UK-based organisations that deliver operational QC services for medical devices and related products (primarily, LFD & PCR testing kits). This Request for Information (RFI) aims to understand the capability, capacity, readiness, and interest of organisations that may be able to support UKHSA's public health mission during surge periods or emergencies. Objectives: * Identify operational QC testing facilities with available capacity or surge capability. * Assess technical, digital, and governance capabilities for potential collaboration. * Explore commercial models for engagement with UKHSA. This RFI is intended for organisations currently providing QC testing services for medical and related devices within the UK. Responses should describe existing facilities and capabilities that could be deployed to support UKHSA's laboratory operations, particularly during periods of increased demand or public health emergencies. These QC tests relating to Parts 1-2 of the inspection process are to be undertaken at the manufacturing facility. Part 3 testing the performance/functionality of the kits can be undertaken either at the manufacturing site or another mutually agreed appropriate site. Recent procurements of PCR and LFD products have been from manufacturers based in the United Kingdom, United States of America, China, and Italy. 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=a07Pz00001XIjD5IAL&searchStr=&sortStr=Recently+Published&page=1&filters=&County=

Planning Information

Request for Information (RFI)

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068c04
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043569-2026
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

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

71630000 - Technical inspection and testing services

71731000 - Industrial quality control services

71900000 - Laboratory services

79212000 - Auditing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 May 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 May 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2026 - 1 Aug 2029 3-4 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
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-068c04-2026-05-12T15:41:40+01:00",
    "date": "2026-05-12T15:41:40+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-068c04",
    "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 (RFI)",
                "dueDate": "2026-05-29T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "038208-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038208-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-27T16:27:00+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "043569-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043569-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-05-12T15:41:40+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "C442643",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Request for Information - Medical Device Quality Control (QC) Testing Capacity",
        "description": "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: 27th April 2026 2. RFI Response: 17:00 - 29th May 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 responsible for protecting the public from infectious diseases, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards, and other health threats. We provide scientific, operational and strategic leadership nationally, locally, and internationally to strengthen the nation's health security. UKHSA is assessing opportunities to enhance its existing Quality Control (QC) testing capability through collaboration with UK-based organisations that deliver operational QC services for medical devices and related products (primarily, LFD & PCR testing kits). This Request for Information (RFI) aims to understand the capability, capacity, readiness, and interest of organisations that may be able to support UKHSA's public health mission during surge periods or emergencies. Objectives: * Identify operational QC testing facilities with available capacity or surge capability. * Assess technical, digital, and governance capabilities for potential collaboration. * Explore commercial models for engagement with UKHSA. This RFI is intended for organisations currently providing QC testing services for medical and related devices within the UK. Responses should describe existing facilities and capabilities that could be deployed to support UKHSA's laboratory operations, particularly during periods of increased demand or public health emergencies. These QC tests relating to Parts 1-2 of the inspection process are to be undertaken at the manufacturing facility. Part 3 testing the performance/functionality of the kits can be undertaken either at the manufacturing site or another mutually agreed appropriate site. Recent procurements of PCR and LFD products have been from manufacturers based in the United Kingdom, United States of America, China, and Italy. 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=a07Pz00001XIjD5IAL&searchStr=&sortStr=Recently+Published&page=1&filters=&County=",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71630000",
                        "description": "Technical inspection and testing services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71900000",
                        "description": "Laboratory services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79212000",
                        "description": "Auditing services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71731000",
                        "description": "Industrial quality control services"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 0,
            "amount": 0,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-08-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2029-08-01T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2030-08-01T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "status": "planning",
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "043569-2026",
                "description": "RFI deadline extended to 29th May 2026."
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}