Tender

Packaging Standardisation for NHS Test & Trace

  • Department of Health and Social Care

F02: Contract notice

Notice identifier: 2021/S 000-021408

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-02a760

Published 31 August 2021, 9:33am



The closing date and time has been changed to:

29 September 2021 - no time specified

See the change notice.

Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Department of Health and Social Care

39 Victoria Street

London

SW1H 0EU

Contact

Test & Trace Market Engagement

Email

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

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

http://health.atamis.co.uk

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

http://health.atamis.co.uk

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to 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

http://health.atamis.co.uk

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 Standardisation for NHS Test & Trace

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 44617100 - Cartons

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

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 ambition of NHS Test and Trace is to ensure that everyone who needs a test in the UK has access to one.DHSC 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.DHSC are now advising the market of our intention to procure these goods. Please see Lot information for specific goods required.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £5,760,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

Tenders may be submitted for all lots

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot 1 Individual Sample Return Box

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 44617100 - Cartons

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

DHSC 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 a packaging solution has been designed to meet these requirements. It includes LOT 1 individual sample return box, LOT 2 a grip seal bag, LOT 3 an absorbent sheet (to protect against leaks), LOT 4 a tamper evident seal and LOT 5 a mailing bag. This is Lot 1 individual sample return box.Suppliers are invited to bid for one or multiple Lots.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

5

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The Authority extend the duration of the Agreement for any period up to a maximum of additional 6 months in total from the expiry of the initial Term and then for any period up to a maximum 6 months in total from the expiry of the first extension (5 months + 6 months + 6 months)

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

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

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot 2 Grip Seal Bag

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 18930000 - Sacks and bags

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

DHSC 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 a packaging solution has been designed to meet these requirements. It includes LOT 1 individual sample return box, LOT 2 a grip seal bag, LOT 3 an absorbent sheet (to protect against leaks), LOT 4 a tamper evident seal and LOT 5 a mailing bag. This is Lot 2 grip seal bag.Suppliers are invited to bid for one or multiple Lots.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

5

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The Authority extend the duration of the Agreement for any period up to a maximum of additional 6 months in total from the expiry of the initial Term and then for any period up to a maximum 6 months in total from the expiry of the first extension (5 months + 6 months + 6 months)

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

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

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot 3 Absorbent Sheet

Lot No

3

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 33140000 - Medical consumables

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

DHSC 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 a packaging solution has been designed to meet these requirements. It includes LOT 1 individual sample return box, LOT 2 a grip seal bag, LOT 3 an absorbent sheet (to protect against leaks), LOT 4 a tamper evident seal and LOT 5 a mailing bag. This is Lot 3 absorbent sheet.Suppliers are invited to bid for one or multiple Lots.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

5

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The Authority extend the duration of the Agreement for any period up to a maximum of additional 6 months in total from the expiry of the initial Term and then for any period up to a maximum 6 months in total from the expiry of the first extension (5 months + 6 months + 6 months)

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

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

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot 5 Mailing Bag

Lot No

5

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 18933000 - Mail or parcel bags

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

DHSC 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 a packaging solution has been designed to meet these requirements. It includes LOT 1 individual sample return box, LOT 2 a grip seal bag, LOT 3 an absorbent sheet (to protect against leaks), LOT 4 a tamper evident seal and LOT 5 a mailing bag. This is Lot 5 mailing bag.Suppliers are invited to bid for one or multiple Lots.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

5

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The Authority extend the duration of the Agreement for any period up to a maximum of additional 6 months in total from the expiry of the initial Term and then for any period up to a maximum 6 months in total from the expiry of the first extension (5 months + 6 months + 6 months)

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

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

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot 4 Tamper Evident Seal

Lot No

4

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 30199760 - Labels
  • 30192800 - Self-adhesive labels

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

DHSC 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 a packaging solution has been designed to meet these requirements. It includes LOT 1 individual sample return box, LOT 2 a grip seal bag, LOT 3 an absorbent sheet (to protect against leaks), LOT 4 a tamper evident seal and LOT 5 a mailing bag. This is Lot 4 tamper evident seal.Suppliers are invited to bid for one or multiple Lots.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

5

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The Authority extend the duration of the Agreement for any period up to a maximum of additional 6 months in total from the expiry of the initial Term and then for any period up to a maximum 6 months in total from the expiry of the first extension (5 months + 6 months + 6 months)

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

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 three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information

three.1) Conditions for participation

three.1.2) Economic and financial standing

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

three.1.3) Technical and professional ability

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Open procedure

Accelerated procedure

Justification:

The COVID-19 outbreak has given rise to an urgent need for the supply of the relevant packaging requirements detailed in this procurement to ensure continuity of supply early 2022. This does not give DHSC sufficient time to comply with the standard open procedure timescales for this procurement. DHSC considers this to be a state of urgency which it has duly substantiated. Accordingly, DHSC is using the accelerated time limits permitted under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (regulation 27(5) for the open procedure) in respect of this procurement

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number: 2021/S 000-010678

four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Originally published as:

Date

22 September 2021

Local time

5:00pm

Changed to:

Date

29 September 2021

See the change notice.

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English

four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender

Duration in months: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)

four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders

Date

22 September 2021

Local time

5:00pm


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: No

six.3) Additional information

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, if you have not already done so. Select “Find Opportunities” and then select the “Packaging Standardisation for NHS Test & Trace (ITT stage)” opportunity. Once you have selected the Opportunity, press the ‘Register Interest’ button to register your interest. As you select the Opportunity, you can review documents, send clarification messages, submit the response, or decline to respond, if you decide not to participate in the opportunity. For further assistance please consult the online help, or the eTendering help desk. DHSC 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 DHSC be liable for any costs incurred by potential suppliers.

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

The High Court

Strand

London

WC2A 2LL

Email

generaloffice@administrativecourtoffice.justice.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

https://www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals

six.4.3) Review procedure

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures

The Department for Health and Social Care will incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period at the point information on award of the contract is communicated to tenderers. Appeals must be lodged in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (SI 2015 No 102) as amended.