Planning

Westminster City Council P81 - Toxicology Services for the Coroner

  • Westminster City Council

UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-017299

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-050859

Published 28 April 2025, 1:32pm



Scope

Reference

P81

Description

The Inner West London Coroner's Court provides coronial services for the City of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Wandsworth and Merton. The Senior Coroner for Inner West London is seeking to procure toxicology services to support the investigation of deaths within the Jurisdiction. This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice serves to inform potential suppliers of the upcoming procurement process and invites expressions of interest.

Results of toxicological testing can be vital for pathologists to ascertain the medical cause of death.

The required toxicology services will include, but are not limited to:

- Comprehensive toxicological analysis of biological samples (e.g., blood, urine, tissue).

- Detection and quantification of drugs (over the counter and illicit), alcohol, poisons, and other toxic substances.

- In house hair analysis for drugs of abuse.

- Provision of detailed toxicology reports to assist in determining the cause of death.

- Expert witness services for court proceedings, if necessary.

- Consultation and advisory services related to toxicology findings.

All services are required to be carried out following the guidelines agreed by the United Kingdom & Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists. These guidelines are recognised by the Forensic Science Regulator and Chief Coroner. Analysis is required to be tailored to each case individually to ensure all necessary analysis is carried out but only those drug concentrations which can be interpreted are measured.

At present, hair analysis is routinely offered for all the Inner West London Coroner's cases.

The full requirement details will be available within the Specification, which will be published when the Tender opportunity goes live.

This opportunity and all associated procurement documents will be accessible via our City of Westminster Procurement and Contracts portal ("the Portal"), please visit https://wcc.ukp.app.jaggaer.com and register your account prior to the release of the Tender.

This opportunity will be procured via the Open Procedure. To register your interest please submit and EOI to jpeek@westminster.gov.uk by 12pm on 16th June 2025. You will then be added to the opportunity when released.

Total value (estimated)

  • £750,000 excluding VAT
  • £900,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2028
  • Possible extension to 30 September 2030
  • 5 years

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 85111800 - Pathology services
  • 71620000 - Analysis services
  • 85111810 - Blood analysis services
  • 85148000 - Medical analysis services

Contract locations

  • UK - United Kingdom

Engagement

Engagement deadline

16 June 2025

Engagement process description

To register your interest please submit and EOI to jpeek@westminster.gov.uk by 12pm on 16th June 2025. You will then be added to the opportunity when released.


Participation

Particular suitability

  • Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
  • Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Submission

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

1 July 2025


Contracting authority

Westminster City Council

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJVD-6261-BPPJ

64 Victoria Street

London

SW1E 6QP

United Kingdom

Region: UKI32 - Westminster

Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government