Planning

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 1 release in its history.

Planning

27 Apr 2026 at 15:27

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, acting through the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has initiated a procurement process with a Request for Information (RFI) concerning the enhancement of medical device Quality Control (QC) testing capacity. This tender falls within the services category, specifically focusing on technical inspection and testing services, laboratory services, auditing, and industrial quality control. It is currently in the planning stage, with a market engagement notice published on 27th April 2026. Interested parties have the opportunity to submit their responses by 12th May 2026. The procurement is located in London, UK, and aims to explore opportunities for collaboration with UK-based organisations in quality control testing for medical devices as part of the UKHSA’s mission to safeguard public health.

This tender presents a lucrative opportunity for companies specialising in QC testing services, particularly those capable of scaling during surge periods or public health emergencies. Organisations with established technical, digital, and governance capabilities related to QC testing are well-positioned to contribute to the UK's health security initiatives. SMEs and VCSEs are encouraged to participate, offering an avenue for diverse business engagement. Potential collaborators will have the chance to help UKHSA refine its procurement strategy while fostering partnerships that can lead to contract renewals and sustained business growth. Moreover, as UKHSA seeks to bolster its operational QC services in cooperation with domestic and international manufacturers, businesses with expertise in both manufacturing and testing across locations such as the UK, USA, China, and Italy could find this RFI particularly relevant and promising for their commercial models.

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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 - 12th 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/038208-2026
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
27 Apr 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
12 May 20262 weeks to go
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

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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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