--- title: "Provision of Lateral Flow testing devices for the detection of COVID-19 viral antigens" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-030e8a" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-030e8a" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-030e8a.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-030e8a.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE ACTING AS PART OF THE CROWN THROUGH UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY" published: "2022-01-24" --- # Provision of Lateral Flow testing devices for the detection of COVID-19 viral antigens Buyer: SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE ACTING AS PART OF THE CROWN THROUGH UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-030e8a [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-030e8a) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-030e8a.json) ## Summary The public procurement process involved the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which sought to address the urgent need for lateral flow testing devices (LFTs) due to the COVID-19 Omicron outbreak. The contract, titled "Provision of Lateral Flow testing devices for the detection of COVID-19 viral antigens," falls under the goods category with a classification of Diagnostic kits. The procurement method used was a limited procedure, specifically the negotiated procedure without prior publication, allowing for swift action in a highly critical context. The contract was awarded to Medco Solutions Ltd on 31 December 2021 for £59,500,000, with the execution location being the UK, and marked as complete as of the latest date in the data, which is January 24, 2022. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in health and medical supplies, particularly those specialising in diagnostic equipment and testing devices. With the ongoing demand for COVID-19 testing solutions, companies that can innovate or scale up manufacturing capabilities for LFTs or similar products would be well-positioned to compete in future procurements. Firms that demonstrate reliability in supply and compliance with stringent health regulations will likely find themselves in advantageous positions as public health initiatives continue to evolve in response to pandemic challenges. ## Notice The Omicron outbreak and its high transmissibility has however led to an urgent and unforeseeable surge in demand for LFTs. Due to this urgency, UKHSA is unable to comply with the time periods required for a further competitive tender (whether under the DPS or otherwise), as any delay will risk the current stock of competitively-procured LFTs being exhausted thereby introducing a significant risk to public health. UKHSA has therefore used the negotiated procedure without prior publication under Regulation 32(2)(c) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 to award a contract to Medco Solutions Ltd on 31 December 2021 for PS59,500,000. ### Lot Information Lot 1 The Omicron outbreak and its high transmissibility has however led to an urgent and unforeseeable surge in demand for LFTs. Due to this urgency, UKHSA is unable to comply with the time periods required for a further competitive tender (whether under the DPS or otherwise), as any delay will risk the current stock of competitively-procured LFTs being exhausted thereby introducing a significant risk to public health. UKHSA has therefore used the negotiated procedure without prior publication under Regulation 32(2)(c) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 to award a contract to Medco Solutions Ltd on 31 December 2021 for PS59,500,000. ### Procurement Information Mass testing using lateral flow testing kits (LFTs) for the detection of Covid-19 viral antigens has become a key part of protecting the economy and saving lives during the Covid-19 pandemic. UKHSA has ensured the supply of LFTs by implementing a Dynamic Purchasing System (as advertised in a contract notice on the Find a Tender Service with reference C22033 on 5 March 2021) and procuring LFTs competitively through that DPS. A further competitive tender through the DPS is currently in progress. The Omicron outbreak and its high transmissibility has however led to an urgent and unforeseeable surge in demand for LFTs. Due to this urgency, UKHSA is unable to comply with the time periods required for a further competitive tender (whether under the DPS or otherwise), as any delay will risk the current stock of competitively-procured LFTs being exhausted thereby introducing a significant risk to public health. UKHSA has therefore used the negotiated procedure without prior publication under Regulation 32(2)(c) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 to award a contract to Medco Solutions Ltd on 31 December 2021 for PS59,500,000. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002033-2022 | | Notice type | Award Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Limited | | Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Large | | All stages | Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 24 Jan 2022 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 1 Sep 2021 | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Cancelled | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE ACTING AS PART OF THE CROWN THROUGH UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW1P 3JR | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | MEDCO SOLUTIONS | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products ### Codes - 33141625 - Diagnostic kits ## Release History - 24 Jan 2022 at 15:03 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002033-2022 ## Notice URLs - http://www.medcosolutions.co.uk - https://www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-030e8a. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-030e8a.json.