Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Medicines Discovery Catapult
Block 35, Mereside, Alderley Park
Cheshire
SK10 4TG
Contact
Ms Laura Hough
laura.hough@md.catapult.org.uk
Telephone
+44 1625708394
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKD6 - Cheshire
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other type
Health - Drug Discovery
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Health - Drug Discovery
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Clinical Testing Laboratory Logistics Including Clinical Sample Management
Reference number
DN530214
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 63120000 - Storage and warehousing services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) is a national facility for collaborative R&D exploring and developing new approaches to the discovery and proof of well targeted medicines, diagnostics and biomarkers. Funded by Innovate UK, an agency of the UK government, MDC are an independent not-for-profit company bringing together a fragmented UK sector of industry, academia, charities, technologists, services, finance companies, SMEs and start-ups who together can turn good science into new, high value products. By sharing problems, rare expertise and assets we support the growth of this new community through a time of radical business and national change.
The UK Lighthouse Laboratories (LHL) were established across the UK in a matter of weeks to dramatically increase the number of coronavirus tests that can take place each day to support the national effort against the coronavirus pandemic.
The new LHL have been constructed through a partnership with the Department of Health, MDC, UK Biocentre and the University of Glasgow. Their development is closely supported by both the NHS and Public Health England.
MDC is leading the LHL located in new dedicated labs at Bruntwood SciTech’s Alderley Park. More information on the UK LHL network is available here: https://www.lighthouselabs.org.uk/
MDC require a service provider to provide a 24/7 service ensuring the LHL located at Alderley Park labs are kept stocked with all consumables and clinical samples.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £800,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 63120000 - Storage and warehousing services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKD6 - Cheshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
MDC require a service provider to provide a 24/7 service ensuring the LHL located at Alderley Park labs are kept stocked with all consumables and clinical samples.
To do this the service provider will operate a forward store that draws on the main warehouse and other stock locations to keep the lab supplied with the consumables they need to operate, this includes predication of requirements; stocking of the forward store; and distribution of the consumables to the labs as required.
The service provider will also manage the reception of clinical samples from couriers, including Royal Mail, and other couriers and the subsequent storage and distribution of these samples to the unboxing team.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated without a prior call for competition
- The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- absence of competition for technical reasons
Explanation:
This VEAT provides notification that MDC will (after a 10 day standstill period) directly award an interim contract for clinical testing laboratory logistics including clinical sample management for a six (6) month period which will allow MDC to complete a tender process compliant to PCR 2015 in this time period. The tender will be advertised on Find a Tender Service and Contracts Finder.
This interim contract is considered essential to ensure a continuity of the essential service for coronavirus tests, and to support the national effort against the coronavirus pandemic while MDC tender for this service. It is expected that the tender will be advertised on Find a Tender Service / Contracts Finder in May 2021.
The Department of Heather and Social Care extended the contract with MDC for the LHL at the end of December 2020. The current contract with the provider ends February 2021. The provider is an accessible solution in the short term given the need to include TUPE information for any replacement exercise which will form part of the procurement exercise MDC is due to undertake. Therefore, the provider is the only supplier who can provide the required essential services in the limited time available for the implementation of a new contract. The award of this interim contract to the provider is considered a proportionate decision given the current circumstances and recognising the role that competition will play in the tender which is due to be issued during the interim contract period.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract/concession
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
9 March 2021
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
(1) VWR LAB SERVICES LTD
Hunter Boulevard, Magna Park
Lutterworth
LE17 4XN
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - UNITED KINGDOM
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £800,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Medicines Discovery Catapult Limited
Mereside, Alderley Park
Macclesfield
SK10 4TG
Country
United Kingdom