--- title: "Request for Information - Containment Level 3 (CL3) UK Capacity" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06093b" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06093b" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06093b.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06093b.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE ACTING AS PART OF THE CROWN THROUGH UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY" published: "2026-01-30" --- # Request for Information - Containment Level 3 (CL3) UK Capacity Buyer: SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE ACTING AS PART OF THE CROWN THROUGH UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06093b [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06093b) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06093b.json) ## Summary The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), operating under the direction of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is seeking to enhance its Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratory capacity. As part of the planning stage, a Request for Information (RFI) titled "Containment Level 3 (CL3) UK Capacity" has been released on 19th January 2026 with a response deadline of 16th February 2026. This is intended to engage potential partners who operate similar facilities across the United Kingdom. The procurement process aims to assess the market’s ability to provide CL3 lab services, with special focus on readiness during public health emergencies. The contracting authority is located at 10 South Colonnade, London, UK, and can be contacted via Josh Williams (email: joshua.williams@ukhsa.gov.uk). This procurement initiative represents a significant opportunity for businesses managing CL3 laboratories to collaborate with UKHSA in expanding public health infrastructure. Organisations with operational CL3 laboratories, particularly those with additional capacity or surge readiness, are encouraged to participate. This engagement could foster business growth through potential future contracts, particularly for SMEs and VCSEs within the laboratory services industry. Businesses that can demonstrate strong technical, digital, and governance capabilities will be well-suited to compete and potentially support the UKHSA's critical public health mission during peak demand periods. ## Notice Instructions: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. The UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) key objectives for this RFI are: a. understand the ability of the marketplace to fulfil its requirements; b. refine the scope of the requirements to best align to the marketplace; and c. inform the Authority's chosen route to market to best enable competition. 4. The key dates for this RFI are as follows: 1. RFI Published: 19th January 2026 2. RFI Response 16th February 2026 5. 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. 6. 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 exploring opportunities to supplement its existing Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratory capacity through collaboration with operational CL3 facilities across the UK. This Request for Information (RFI) seeks to understand the capabilities, readiness, and interest of organisations that currently operate CL3 laboratories and may be able to support UKHSA's public health mission during surge periods or emergencies. Objectives - Identify operational CL3 laboratories with spare capacity or surge readiness. -Assess technical, digital, and governance capabilities for collaboration. - Explore commercial models for potential engagement with UKHSA. This RFI is intended for organisations that currently operate CL3 laboratories in the UK. Responses should focus on existing facilities and capabilities that could be mobilised to support UKHSA's laboratory operations, particularly during public health emergencies or periods of high demand. A copy of the RFI can be downloaded from: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/b4a0097e-f858-42ae-bc7b-4f5bafe87933 Should you wish to respond to this Request for Information, please complete and return the attached RFI via email to joshua.williams@ukhsa.gov.uk. ### Planning Information Request for information. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008674-2026 | | 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 | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 30 Jan 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 1 Apr 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 May 2026 - 1 Jun 2030 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £1 | | 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 | SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE ACTING AS PART OF THE CROWN THROUGH 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 - 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services ### Codes - 71900000 - Laboratory services ## Release History - 30 Jan 2026 at 17:42 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008674-2026 - 19 Jan 2026 at 17:06 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004528-2026 - 19 Jan 2026 at 16:56 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004522-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008674-2026 30th January 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004528-2026 19th January 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004522-2026 19th January 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/b4a0097e-f858-42ae-bc7b-4f5bafe87933 - 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-06093b. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06093b.json.