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Request for Information - Lyophilisation Services

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

30 Jun 2026 at 11:12

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has initiated a planning phase for a public procurement process concerning Lyophilisation Services. This process is designed to enhance the agency’s understanding of supplier capabilities and market conditions for the provision of freeze-drying services necessary for pandemic preparedness. The procurement, categorised under pathology services, will take place in the UK, with a particular focus on the London area. Currently at the planning stage, a Request for Information (RFI) has been issued, with a response deadline set for 14th July 2026. This effort is a part of UKHSA’s strategic objectives to improve public health resilience against infectious diseases and other health threats.

This tender process presents significant business opportunities, particularly for suppliers specialising in freeze-drying and pathology services who can handle and optimise lyophilisation protocols for viral and bacterial materials. Businesses equipped with ISO 9001 quality systems and capable of conducting thorough quality control testing would be ideally positioned to respond. The contract aims to lyophilise up to 20 pathogens over the next four years, involving small batch sizes which can provide continuous engagement with UKHSA. This initiative not only offers potential revenue streams but also establishes valuable working relationships with a central government authority, fostering growth and enhancing industry reputation for innovative service providers.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Request for Information - Lyophilisation Services

Notice Description

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. 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. The UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) key objectives for this RFI are: understand the ability of the marketplace to fulfil its requirements; refine the scope of the requirements to best align to the marketplace; and inform the Authority's chosen route to market to best enable competition The key dates for this RFI are as follows: RFI Published: 30th June 2026 RFI Response: 14th July 2026 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. 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 every member of every community from the impact of infectious diseases, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents and other health threats. We provide intellectual, scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage, to make the nation's health secure. Background: UKHSA is seeking to engage with the market to better understand supplier capability for the provision of lyophilisation (freeze-drying) services for X-ray irradiated pathogens to provide greater resilience and flexibility across use cases as part of UKHSA's Pandemic Preparedness strategy. UKHSA requires support in developing optimal formulations and lyophilisation processes to ensure that irradiated, inactivated pathogens can be safely stored, handled, and distributed for diagnostic use and pandemic preparedness. Lyophilisation is required to enhance the long-term stability and usability of these materials, supporting strategic resilience and response capabilities. Requirements: We need the supplier to have: * Ability to handle irradiated, inactive viral and bacterial material in liquid medium * Ability to develop and optimise lyophilisation protocols including assessment of different stabilisation matrices * Appropriate quality system in place (at least ISO 9001) to ensure consistency and traceability * Provide product quality control (QC) testing of final product, including thermal stability and absence of contaminants. * Overall aim is to lyophilise up to 20 pathogens over the next 4 years o Estimated vial volume for lyophilisation is 0.3mL - 2mL o Estimated batch size for lyophilisation is 6 - 100mL o Estimated number of batches per year is 5 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--prospend.vf.force.com/apex/CS_ContractPage?filters=&page=1&Preview=Yes&searchStr=&SearchType=Projects&sortStr=Alphabetical&uid=a07Pz00001jEyqdIAC&sfdcIFrameOrigin=https%3A%2F%2Fatamis-1928.lightning.force.com

Planning Information

Request for Information

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c000
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061185-2026
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

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85111800 - Pathology services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Jun 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
14 Jul 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Oct 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 1-6 months
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. 

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