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Framework for Microbiological Testing Requirements

CENTRE FOR PROCESS INNOVATION LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

05 Aug 2026 at 08:47

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Centre for Process Innovation Limited (CPI) is seeking microbiological testing services to support its GMP RNA Centre of Excellence in Darlington. The requirement covers release analysis for buffers, intermediates, drug substance and drug product, including bioburden and endotoxin testing, as well as related microbiological testing within the full requirement. The primary delivery location is CPI’s facility at 3 John Williams Boulevard South, Darlington, DL1 1GL, although the arrangement may also be used at other CPI sites where their requirements fall within scope. This is a technical testing and analysis services requirement, including technical inspection and testing. The work supports products intended for early-phase clinical trials, including lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated messenger and self-amplifying RNA vaccines and therapies.

The procurement has reached tender: CPI invited offers through a below-threshold open competition. It will establish a closed framework for a minimum of one and maximum of two ranked suppliers, with call-offs made by direct award without reopening competition. The tender submission deadline set by the buyer was 21 August 2026 at 23:59. The contract period is 28 September 2026 to 27 September 2030. The estimated value is £110,000 excluding VAT, or £132,000 including VAT. Electronic submission was allowed through CPI’s e-tendering system. There is one lot. Offers are evaluated on 70% quality and 30% price. The framework is intended to appoint preferred, CPI-approved suppliers for the microbiological testing requirement.

This opportunity suits laboratories and specialist testing providers with established microbiological testing capability for GMP pharmaceutical manufacturing. Relevant experience includes bioburden and endotoxin testing and release analysis of buffers, intermediates, drug substance and drug product. Suppliers should be able to support testing for products destined for early-phase clinical trials and work within CPI’s quality and approval processes. A GMP certificate issued by the MHRA is expected, and successful suppliers will need to complete supplier approval and agree a Quality Technical Agreement. The framework is designed for a small supplier panel, with up to two ranked providers, so bidders should be able to provide reliable capacity and consistent quality across the contract period. The requirement may extend beyond Darlington to other CPI sites with comparable needs.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Framework for Microbiological Testing Requirements

Notice Description

Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) have existing GMP facilities at the RNA Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Darlington. To support this site, Microbiological testing services are required, including but not limited to Bioburden and Endotoxin. This tender is to cover the Microbiological testing services required for release analysis of buffers, intermediates, drug substance (DS) and drug product (DP) at the RNA CoE. CPI has technology centres across the UK and aims to support clients and customers with innovation projects as well as provide manufacturing capabilities. CPI's RNA CoE is a multi-million pound GMP facility based in Darlington in the Northeast of England and is the only UK-based site with the capability to develop and manufacture lipid nanoparticle encapsulated messenger and self-amplifying RNA vaccines and therapies ready for use in early-phase clinical trials. The aim of this tender is to establish preferred and CPI-approved suppliers for the full scope of Microbiology Testing requirements for GMP release testing. The manufactured products will be used for early phase clinical trials, therefore, supplier approvals and a Quality Technical Agreement will be required. It is expected that the vendor holds a GMP certificate issued by the MHRA. This tender will primarily be used for CPI's RNA Centre of Excellence located at 3 John Williams Boulevard South, Darlington, DL1 1GL, although this tender may be used across other CPI sites should their requirements fall under the scope of this tender

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06dbda
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073948-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services

71630000 - Technical inspection and testing services

71632000 - Technical testing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£110,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£110,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Aug 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
21 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
28 Sep 2026 - 27 Sep 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CENTRE FOR PROCESS INNOVATION LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
REDCAR
Postcode
TS10 4RF
Postcode Area
Cleveland
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC3 Tees Valley
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC32 South Teesside
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Redcar and Cleveland
Electoral Ward
Dormanstown
Westminster Constituency
Redcar

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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