Countermeasures and Preparedness Products

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

31 Jul 2026 at 11:05

Summary of the contracting process

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is in the planning stage of a procurement process for a Framework Agreement titled "Countermeasures and Preparedness Products." This initiative is aimed at central government public authorities and concerns the provision of pharmaceutical products, including items such as antivirals, antibiotics, vaccines, and other critical medical supplies. The procurement plan is currently at the engagement milestone, with a deadline for potential suppliers to express interest by 30th September 2026. The location for this procurement is London, United Kingdom, and preliminary market engagement sessions are anticipated to begin in October 2026. The UKHSA is considering an Open Framework spanning up to 8 years and may use an eSourcing system for subsequent procurement activities.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses involved in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly those specialising in manufacturing and distributing medical products like antivirals, vaccines, and other emergency response items. Businesses with the capability to deliver high-quality goods that align with sustainability and social value objectives are particularly well-suited to compete in this procurement. By participating, businesses can secure a position on a Framework Agreement that promises recurring opportunities throughout the contract period, potentially extending as long as eight years. This engagement phase provides room for feedback, suggesting a collaborative environment for suppliers to influence the final procurement strategy and criteria, offering a strategic entry point for both established suppliers and new entrants looking to expand their presence in public sector procurement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Countermeasures and Preparedness Products

Notice Description

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) intends to establish a Framework Agreement for the provision of Countermeasures and Preparedness products (the "Framework Agreement"). The Framework Agreement will be available for use by UKHSA and potentially other eligible public sector organisations such as the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The Framework Agreement will provide access to a range of pre-approved suppliers and their products. At this stage, it is intended that the Framework Agreement will comprise multiple lots including, but not limited to: - Antivirals - Antibiotics - Antitoxins - Antivenoms - Antidotes - Vaccines - Immunoglobulins - Intravenous Fluids (IV's) - ICU Medicines - Radiation Treatments - Medical Consumables (used in administering the medicines)* - Combined Needles and Syringes* *For the purposes of preliminary market engagement, we have included all products in scope of our portfolio. To confirm, recently awarded contracts will continue for their term. The proposed scope and lotting structure will be explored further during the preliminary market engagement, with the final lotting structure confirmed in the UK 4 Tender Notice for this procurement. Suppliers will be awarded places on the Framework Agreement based on their ability to meet quality standards and deliver value for money. UKHSA is committed to working with suppliers who support Sustainability and Social Value objectives, and these elements are expected to form part of the award criteria, details of which will be set out in the tender documentation.

Planning Information

To assist in the development of our procurement strategy and to ensure we consider all viable options, UKHSA welcomes engagement from existing and prospective suppliers capable of supplying products within the scope of the proposed Framework Agreement, including those currently without UK licences. Potential bidders should express their interest by emailing commercial.preparednessandcountermeasures@ukhsa.gov.uk to request a copy of the Preliminary Market Engagement (“PME”) Introduction document and Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire (“PMEQ”). Potential bidders should return the completed PMEQ by email before 1200 hours on 30th September 2026. Further information regarding the proposed framework can be found within these documents. The aim of this PME notice and the PMEQ is to notify and engage the market on UKHSA’s current proposals, and to gauge interest in this opportunity from suppliers capable of delivering products within the scope of the proposed Framework Agreement. As part of this PME, UKHSA will also be exploring the potential option of an Open Framework with a term of up to 8 years. The final procurement approach including whether an Open Framework will be established will be confirmed in the UK 4 Tender Notice for this procurement. UKHSA intends to hold preliminary market engagement sessions with industry experts and suppliers interested in potentially bidding for the proposed Framework Agreement. These sessions are currently anticipated to take place from October 2026, and further details will be communicated via email. Opportunities for one-to-one meetings are also expected to be available. UKHSA will use an eSourcing system for any procurement activity subsequent to this notice. The eSourcing system used by UKHSA is Atamis. UKHSA reserves the right to withdraw this notice at any time. UKHSA is not liable for any costs incurred as a result of bidders engaging with this process. This early market engagement exercise does not guarantee that a procurement will take place, and UKHSA reserves the right to defer from any procurement entirely. Bidders will still be required to bid to be awarded a place on the resulting Framework Agreement following the publication of the UK 4 Tender Notice. Submitting an expression of interest at this stage does not constitute a bid.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d8ad
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072662-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products


CPV Codes

33600000 - Pharmaceutical products

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Jul 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 20278 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2028 - 1 Apr 2032 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
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

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-06d8ad-2026-07-31T12:05:02+01:00",
    "date": "2026-07-31T12:05:02+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06d8ad",
    "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": {
                "email": "commercial.preparednessandcountermeasures@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": "To assist in the development of our procurement strategy and to ensure we consider all viable options, UKHSA welcomes engagement from existing and prospective suppliers capable of supplying products within the scope of the proposed Framework Agreement, including those currently without UK licences. Potential bidders should express their interest by emailing commercial.preparednessandcountermeasures@ukhsa.gov.uk to request a copy of the Preliminary Market Engagement (\"PME\") Introduction document and Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire (\"PMEQ\"). Potential bidders should return the completed PMEQ by email before 1200 hours on 30th September 2026. Further information regarding the proposed framework can be found within these documents. The aim of this PME notice and the PMEQ is to notify and engage the market on UKHSA's current proposals, and to gauge interest in this opportunity from suppliers capable of delivering products within the scope of the proposed Framework Agreement. As part of this PME, UKHSA will also be exploring the potential option of an Open Framework with a term of up to 8 years. The final procurement approach including whether an Open Framework will be established will be confirmed in the UK 4 Tender Notice for this procurement. UKHSA intends to hold preliminary market engagement sessions with industry experts and suppliers interested in potentially bidding for the proposed Framework Agreement. These sessions are currently anticipated to take place from October 2026, and further details will be communicated via email. Opportunities for one-to-one meetings are also expected to be available. UKHSA will use an eSourcing system for any procurement activity subsequent to this notice. The eSourcing system used by UKHSA is Atamis. UKHSA reserves the right to withdraw this notice at any time. UKHSA is not liable for any costs incurred as a result of bidders engaging with this process. This early market engagement exercise does not guarantee that a procurement will take place, and UKHSA reserves the right to defer from any procurement entirely. Bidders will still be required to bid to be awarded a place on the resulting Framework Agreement following the publication of the UK 4 Tender Notice. Submitting an expression of interest at this stage does not constitute a bid.",
                "dueDate": "2026-09-30T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "072662-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072662-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-07-31T12:05:02+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "C459021",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Countermeasures and Preparedness Products",
        "description": "The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) intends to establish a Framework Agreement for the provision of Countermeasures and Preparedness products (the \"Framework Agreement\"). The Framework Agreement will be available for use by UKHSA and potentially other eligible public sector organisations such as the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The Framework Agreement will provide access to a range of pre-approved suppliers and their products. At this stage, it is intended that the Framework Agreement will comprise multiple lots including, but not limited to: - Antivirals - Antibiotics - Antitoxins - Antivenoms - Antidotes - Vaccines - Immunoglobulins - Intravenous Fluids (IV's) - ICU Medicines - Radiation Treatments - Medical Consumables (used in administering the medicines)* - Combined Needles and Syringes* *For the purposes of preliminary market engagement, we have included all products in scope of our portfolio. To confirm, recently awarded contracts will continue for their term. The proposed scope and lotting structure will be explored further during the preliminary market engagement, with the final lotting structure confirmed in the UK 4 Tender Notice for this procurement. Suppliers will be awarded places on the Framework Agreement based on their ability to meet quality standards and deliver value for money. UKHSA is committed to working with suppliers who support Sustainability and Social Value objectives, and these elements are expected to form part of the award criteria, details of which will be set out in the tender documentation.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "33600000",
                        "description": "Pharmaceutical products"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 1,
            "amount": 1,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "techniques": {
            "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2028-04-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2032-04-01T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2036-04-01T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2027-04-01T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}