Scope
Description
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is inviting suppliers to participate in this pre-market engagement exercise to explore options for surge laboratory capacity in response to future health emergencies. This engagement aims to share UKHSA’s current thinking, gather feedback from the market regarding the proposed specification, contract and tender evaluation methodology to inform the final approvals for the procurement strategy.
UKHSA is considering options for Surge Laboratory Capacity to ensure rapid response during public health emergencies, focusing on rapidly scaling up PCR testing capabilities for Pathogen X. Please note, the indicative contract value below is for a cold state running of the contract and a hot state contract value will be many multiples of this.
This engagement is exploratory and does not represent a commitment to procure at this stage.
Total value (estimated)
- £10,000,000 excluding VAT
- £12,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 30 April 2026 to 30 April 2029
- 3 years, 1 day
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 71900000 - Laboratory services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
6 February 2026
Engagement process description
A virtual engagement session will be held on 30th January 2026 at 10am. The purpose of this session is to present UKHSA’s objectives, gather feedback from suppliers and outline the procurement approach.
Suppliers should register their interest by emailing hamza.hussain2@ukhsa.gov.uk with company details.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
16 March 2026
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care acting as part of the Crown through UK Health Security Agency
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBMQ-7576-DVGW
10 South Colonnade
London
E14 4PU
United Kingdom
Contact name: Hamza Hussain
Email: hamza.hussain2@ukhsa.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency
Region: UKI42 - Tower Hamlets
Organisation type: Public authority - central government