This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

25 Jun 2026 at 10:37

Summary of the contracting process

Newport City Council is in the planning stage of a procurement process for the upcoming framework titled "Provision of Drug, Alcohol & DNA Testing Services Framework." This initiative falls under the services industry category, specifically for laboratory services, and is situated in the regions of UKL2 and UKL1 in the United Kingdom. A pre-market engagement meeting is scheduled for suppliers on 1 July 2026 at the Civic Centre in Newport, with interested parties requested to express attendance interest by 29 June 2026. The new framework is set to start on 1 October 2026, with a framework duration until 2030, extendable up to 2032. The total contract value is £13,680,000 GBP gross, and the procurement adheres to the Light Touch Regime of the Procurement Act 2023.

This procurement framework offers significant opportunities for businesses, especially SMEs and VCSEs, aiming to expand in the field of laboratory services. Accredited suppliers who meet ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards and UK Ministry of Justice approval for Lot 2 will find themselves well-suited to compete for this framework. Participation could offer both a secure revenue stream and the opportunity for establishment and growth within the public sector, providing essential drug, alcohol, and DNA testing services across Welsh local authorities. This process supports innovation and development in testing services, offering substantial growth prospects for businesses with expertise in these domains.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Provision of Drug, Alcohol & DNA Testing Services Framework

Notice Description

The Drug, Alcohol and DNA Testing Services framework established by Newport City Council in 2020 for use by Welsh local authorities is due to expire 30 September 2026. The new framework which will commence on the 1 October 2026 will be comprised of 2 lots: Lot 1 - Drug & Alcohol Testing Services, Lot 2 - DNA Testing Services. Suppliers appointed to the framework have to be accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards and for Lot 2 must be UK Ministry of Justice approved. The framework will be procured in accordance with the Light Touch Regime of the Procurement Act 2023.

Planning Information

This pre-market engagement notice is to establish the suppliers in the market who would be interested in providing the services . The Council will also take the opportunity to discuss and improve the current specification. Suppliers are invited to attend individual pre-market engagement meetings on Wednesday 1 July 2026 at the Civic Centre, Newport, NP20 4UR. Suppliers who wish to attend are requested to email joanneclaire.james@newport.gov.uk. Times to attend will be issued no later than Monday 29 June 2026.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06bce9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059775-2026
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
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
£11,400,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Jun 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
20 Jul 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NEWPORT CITY 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
NEWPORT
Postcode
NP20 4UR
Post Town
Newport
Country
Wales

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL54 Monmouthshire and Newport
Delivery Location
TLL1 West Wales and The Valleys, TLL2 East Wales

Local Authority
Newport
Electoral Ward
Allt-yr-yn
Westminster Constituency
Newport West and Islwyn

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.

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