Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care acting as part of the Crown through UK Health Security Agency
Nobel House, 17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR
Contact
Procurement Operations
procurement.operations@ukhsa.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKI32 - Westminster
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency
Buyer's address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
National or federal Agency/Office
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Genomics Training Assessment and Competence Tool (GTACT)
Reference number
C73203
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72212931 - Training software development services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The development, and production of new training and competency assessment modules on the Genomics Training Assessment and Competence Tool (GTACT).
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: £551,994
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM91 - Scottish Borders
Main site or place of performance
27 North Bridge Street, Hawick, Scottish Borders, TD9 9BD
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The development, and production of new training and competency assessment modules on the Genomics Training Assessment and Competence Tool (GTACT), to train and assess individuals in the use and administration of various tests for Covid-19.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
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
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
As part of HMG’s measures toward addressing the Covid-19 pandemic, the Authority sought to award a contract for the development and production of a training and competency assessment tool. The assessment tool would be used to train and assess individuals in the use and administration of various tests for Covid-19.
The Genomics Training Assessment & Competence Tool (GTACT) owned by GenQA Limited (“GenQA”) was identified by NHS England Genomics Units who assessed the UKAS accredited supplier market, as being the only organisation with the breadth of expertise and experience, to develop the right competency tool to assess the administration of Covid-19 tests within the NHS and ensure that all necessary standards are met.
GenQA -UK NEQAS was found to be the only provider qualified and ISO17043 or equivalent accredited for the assessment of the administration of tests across DNA extraction EQA schemes and related molecular pathology schemes. No other single provider had staff with the technical ability to provide the assessment service across the full range of medical laboratory tests across spanning Haematology, Blood Coagulation, Immunophenotyping and Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics disciplines.
This award falls within Regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations on the basis that Competition is absent for technical reasons.
Due to the urgent requirement GenQA started the work, without a contract in place, at the request of the Authority.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
21 March 2022
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
GENQA LTD
27 North Bridge Street Hawick
Roxburghshire
TD9 98D
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKM91 - Scottish Borders
National registration number
SC639731
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £551,994
Lowest offer: £551,994 / Highest offer: £551,994 taken into consideration
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The High Court
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
generaloffice@administrativecourtoffice.justice.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom