Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Department of Health and Social Care
39 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0EU
ttmarketengagement@dhsc.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKI32 - Westminster
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care
Buyer's address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Packaging for NHS Test & Trace
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79921000 - Packaging services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
NHS Test and Trace is the national organisation under the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) responsible for conducting Covid-19 testing in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.The organisation requires packaging to support the kitting of all Covid-19 testing via the Home Channel.NHS Test and Trace are advising the market of our intention to procure these supplies to ensure the continuity and growth of the testing capability.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79920000 - Packaging and related services
- 33140000 - Medical consumables
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS Test and Trace is seeking to procure the packaging requirements for the kitting of test kits specifically for the Home Channel, with continuity of supply being fundamental during this transition period.The ambition of NHS Test and Trace is to ensure that everyone who needs a test in the UK has access to one. The Home Channel is one of a number of convenient channels helping to facilitate Covid-19 testing. To support the Home Channel, NHS Test and Trace are looking to standardise the packaging requirements for the test kits to move to a more effective and economic packaging solution that can protect test kits in transport to homes as well as meeting the legal requirements to safely transport samples returned to test laboratories. This packaging also needs to be handled efficiently at laboratories to maximise testing throughput. Based on lab and end user feedback Test and Trace have designed a packaging solution to meet the requirements of the Home Test Channel. It includes an individual test kit cardboard box, a tamper seal, a double grip seal leakproof bag and an absorbent sheet to protect against leaks.The volume is anticipated to be approximately 2.4M individual test kits, kitted per month. We intend to run an initial supplier engagement event including a Webinar and RFI (prior to the issue of the tender) on Friday 23rd April at 10am. The webinar is intended to provide those who may be interested in participating in this procurement with details of the outline business case and proposed procurement approach. The RFI is for the Authority to collect feedback on the packaging design (the practicalities of the design and the technical capacity to manufacture).In order to attend the webinar, please use the following link to register on https://www.eventbrite.com/e/market-engagement-event-standardised-packaging-test-trace-tickets-150569841449The RFI will be published prior to the webinar on our e-Procurement system, Atamis. Please register with your interest by Thursday 22nd April using the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/WelcomeSelect “Find Opportunities” and then select the Packaging Standardisation for NHS Test & Trace opportunity. Once you have selected the Opportunity, press the “Register Interest” button to register your interest.We intend on publishing the RFI on Thursday 22nd April with responses due back by 5pm on Wednesday 28th April. Please ensure you have registered your interest on Atamis by this date in order to receive the automatic messages when the RFI is published.If you are unable to attend the webinar, we will issue a summary version of the presentation w/c 26th April in Atamis. You do not need to have attended the webinar in order to submit a response to the RFI.Please note that all future correspondence for the event will be our e-Procurement System.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
10 May 2021
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
This PIN is being published for information purposes only (under Regulation 48) in order to notify potential bidders of the supplier event detailed below and proposed procurement opportunity that will be set out in the Contract Notice, anticipated to be issued on 31/05/2021. NHS Test and Trace is still in the planning phases of this proposed procurement. All information set out in this PIN, including the nature and extent of the services, as well as the timing and nature of the proposed procurement, could be subject to change.NHS Test and Trace is not liable for any costs incurred by potential bidders in expressing an interest or in participating in the supplier event. NHS Test and Trace reserves the right to cancel or change the market engagement event and/or the proposed procurement (or any part of it) at its discretion.Suppliers instructions:The opportunity will be available on the DHSC Atamis eTendering System. Select this link to access and register your organisation to the Atamis system https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome. How to express interest in this webinar:Select “Find Opportunities” and then select the Packaging Standardisation for NHS Test & Trace opportunity. Once you have selected the Opportunity, press the “Register Interest” button to register your interest.For further assistance please consult the online help, or the eTendering help desk.NHS Test and Trace expressly reserves the rights(i) to use a reverse auction;(ii) to cancel this procurement at any stage;(iii) to not award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice;(iv) and in no circumstances will NHS Test and Trace be liable for any costs incurred by potential suppliers.