--- title: "RFI - Appointment of a main reference laboratory" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-051a25" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-051a25" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051a25.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051a25.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY" published: "2025-05-21" --- # RFI - Appointment of a main reference laboratory Buyer: UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-051a25 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-051a25) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051a25.json) ## Summary The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for appointing a main reference laboratory. The initiative, titled "RFI - Appointment of a Main Reference Laboratory," falls under the industry category of research laboratory services. This process is focussed on microbial strains and antimicrobial susceptibility testing in support of the UK NEQAS Microbiology External Quality Assessment schemes, with the potential contract period starting from 18th November 2025 and ending on 17th November 2028, with a possibility of renewal until November 2030. Interested parties need to be aware that the Request for Information (RFI) response deadline is 11th June 2025, at 23:59 BST. The procurement is based in London, indicative of a centralised public authority contract opportunity managed by UKHSA's Commercial Operations, with relevant documentation available through the Atamis portal. This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in laboratory and microbiological research services. SMEs are particularly encouraged to participate, fostering competition and innovation in the field of microbial testing and quality assessment. The engagement highlights UKHSA's commitment to collaborating with capable laboratories that can contribute to the efficiency and efficacy of public health quality assessments. By becoming the main reference laboratory, businesses can enhance their portfolios, expand their clientele in the public sector, and contribute to vital health initiatives, potentially leading to further public contracts and business growth. ## Notice UK NEQAS Microbiology is seeking to appoint a main reference laboratory to provide microbial strains and perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) in support of its External Quality Assessment (EQA) schemes. This RFI is seeking information from laboratories that have the capability and capacity to fulfil the outlined requirements. ### Planning Information UK NEQAS Microbiology is seeking to appoint a main reference laboratory to provide microbial strains and perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) in support of its External Quality Assessment (EQA) schemes. This RFI is seeking information from laboratories that have the capability and capacity to fulfil the outlined requirements. The issuance of this RFI does not constitute a sourcing exercise, but responses provided will help to shape UKHSA’s sourcing strategy. UKHSA will not pay any costs incurred by respondents in the preparation of a response to this RFI. The supporting documents can be accessed via Project C363261 in the Atamis portal: https://atamis-1928.my.salesforce-sites.com/?searchtype=Projects Please refer to the documentation for full details and instructions on how to respond. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024272-2025 | | 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 | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 21 May 2025 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 11 Jun 2025 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 18 Nov 2025 - 17 Nov 2028 | | 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 | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | East London | | Postcode | E14 4PU | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI4 Inner London - East | | ITL 3 | TLI42 Tower Hamlets | | Local authority | Tower Hamlets | | Electoral ward | Canary Wharf | | Westminster constituency | Poplar and Limehouse | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 73111000 - Research laboratory services ## Release History - 21 May 2025 at 15:36 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024272-2025 - 21 May 2025 at 10:15 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023700-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024272-2025 21st May 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023700-2025 21st May 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://atamis-1928.my.salesforce-sites.com/?searchtype=Projects - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## 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-051a25. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051a25.json.