--- title: "Courier Services for Hampshire Scientific Services" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06c216" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06c216" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c216.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c216.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL" published: "2026-07-02" --- # Courier Services for Hampshire Scientific Services Buyer: HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06c216 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06c216) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c216.json) ## Summary Hampshire County Council is preparing to tender a contract for courier services designed to support Hampshire Scientific Services (HSS) in its responsibilities with the Suffolk Coastal Port Health Authority. The forthcoming procurement opportunity, titled "Courier Services for Hampshire Scientific Services," seeks reliable same-day courier services primarily in the courier service industry category. It will cover locations mainly in East Suffolk, Kent, and Hampshire. The process is currently at the planning stage, with a future notice date scheduled for 17th August 2026 and the tender expected to be published in August 2026. The contract period is set to start on 7th December 2026 and end by 6th July 2028, with the option to extend up to 6th July 2030. The procurement method involves a threshold-above tender process indicating significant opportunity potential. This tender represents a substantial opportunity for businesses specialising in courier services, particularly those able to handle sensitive and time-critical deliveries. The contract’s estimated value of £753,600 gross suggests robust demand for consistent, high-volume services. Suitable candidates would possess capabilities in providing secure, direct transport solutions that protect sample integrity without unnecessary stoppages or handling. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with proven expertise in adaptability, efficient logistics, and clear communication will find this tender favorable. The scope includes flexibility for addressing dynamic requirements like weekend collections, offering a pathway for businesses to scale operations and enter into a potentially lucrative partnership with a public authority. ## Notice Hampshire County Council (the Authority) is preparing to tender a contract for courier services to support Hampshire Scientific Services (HSS). This pre-market engagement notice is to inform the market of the forthcoming procurement opportunity. HSS provides accredited scientific advisory and analytical services to public authorities across the UK, supporting statutory functions to ensure public health and safety. As part of its work with Suffolk Coastal Port Health Authority (SCPHA), HSS is responsible for coordinating the transport of imported food and feed samples from ports in East Suffolk (Felixstowe, Harwich, and Ipswich) to laboratories in Kent and Hampshire. These samples are collected for enforcement testing and are highly time-critical, with some requiring collection, delivery, and analysis within a strict 24 hour window. Maintaining chain of custody, sample integrity, and timely delivery is therefore essential. The purpose of this procurement is to appoint a suitably capable same-day courier to deliver a reliable and responsive service. The supplier will be required to provide secure, direct transport that avoids unnecessary handling or delays, and to provide scalable capacity to meet regular weekday demand, with flexibility for occasional weekend requirements. The contract will be for an initial period of 19 months, with the option to extend for up to 2 additional 12-month periods until 29 June 2030. ### Planning Information The current intention is to publish the tender for these services in August 2026. The future tender will be published on the Authority's e-tendering portal In-Tend: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/hampshire/. If your organisation is not registered on the Hampshire In-Tend portal, please go to the website stated above and click on the 'Register' tab - registration is free. This notice is provided for information only to inform the market of this opportunity. A summary of requirements has been provided below. No response is required at this stage, and this notice does not constitute a call for competition. SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS HSS holds a contract with Suffolk Coastal Port Health Authority (SCPHA) to test imported food prior to its release for sale. The aim is to establish a robust, reliable, and responsive daily collection service for the transportation of food and feed samples from the Ports to designated laboratories located in Kent and Hampshire. Collections are required most weekdays from the port of Felixstowe, with less frequent collections from the ports of Harwich and Ipswich. These samples are collected for enforcement testing purposes and are highly time-sensitive, with some requiring collection, delivery, and laboratory analysis within a strict 24-hour window. Maintaining chain of custody and sample integrity is critical. To maintain this integrity and traceability, the courier service must provide timely, secure, and direct transportation from collection to delivery. The use of overnight transport hubs or any process that introduces delays, additional handling or increases the risk of sample damage or loss is not acceptable. The Supplier will be expected to provide electronic proof of delivery for all consignments, and maintain a secure and auditable chain of custody. Clear communication and operational arrangements will be required to manage changes, late instructions, and escalation routes for service issues, to minimise disruption. We are therefore looking for a courier partner who can demonstrate: • Robustness, reliability and efficiency in in delivering time-critical services. • Flexibility to respond to changing requirements including occasional cancellations and additional collection points. • Clear and proactive communication, ensuring seamless coordination and rapid issue resolution. • Robust handling procedures that protect sample integrity and maintain a secure, fully traceable chain of custody at all times. Typical collection times from Felixstowe are: • 12:00 for same day delivery (by 14:30) to Kent ME19 4YT (Monday to Saturday) • 15:30-17:30 for next day delivery (by 10:30) to Hampshire PO5 4LL (Monday., Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) Saturday collections and deliveries may also be needed. Sunday and Bank Holiday collections will not be required. Volumes vary but currently average approximately 6 consignments per day to Kent and 4 to Hampshire. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062122-2026 | | 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 | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 2 Jul 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 17 Aug 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 7 Dec 2026 - 6 Jul 2028 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £628,000 | | 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 | HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL | | Locality | WINCHESTER | | Post town | Southampton | | Postcode | SO23 8UJ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight | | ITL 3 | TLJ36 Central Hampshire | | Local authority | Winchester | | Electoral ward | St Michael | | Westminster constituency | Winchester | | Delivery location | TLH14 Suffolk CC, TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight, TLJ4 Kent | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 64 - Postal and telecommunications services ### Codes - 64120000 - Courier services ## Release History - 2 Jul 2026 at 09:53 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062122-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062122-2026 2nd July 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/hampshire/ - https://www.hants.gov.uk - 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-06c216. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c216.json.