Planning

Medical imaging services and analysis of imaging to determine chronological age

  • The Secretary of State for the Home Department

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2021/S 000-022481

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-02df40

Published 9 September 2021, 10:45pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

The Secretary of State for the Home Department

London

Email

scientificageassessment@homeoffice.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UK - United Kingdom

Internet address(es)

Main address

www.gov.uk/home-office

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Ministry or any other national or federal authority

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Medical imaging services and analysis of imaging to determine chronological age

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 71900000 - Laboratory services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

The Authority is responsible for the processing of asylum claims. This may be from individuals who are claiming to be minors, but who are undocumented and for whom there is reason to have doubts about their claim. The UK is one of only a handful of countries not to use scientific methods to support age assessment. There is a requirement for supplementing current age assessment techniques of young people/ adolescents/young adults, identifying those who are still developing against individuals who have reached physical maturity. We are seeking to supplement current techniques, which are predominantly social worker led assessments, with a scientific technique or combination of techniques. Specifically, the Authority is keen to understand the potential of a medical imaging approach combined with analysis of images to establish chronological age.

It is estimated that the contract(s) will be let by mid-2022 for a minimum of three years.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 33000000 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products
  • 33100000 - Medical equipments
  • 33110000 - Imaging equipment for medical, dental and veterinary use
  • 33111100 - X-ray table
  • 33111200 - X-ray workstations
  • 33111300 - X-ray processing devices
  • 33111400 - X-ray fluoroscopy devices
  • 33111500 - Dental X-ray
  • 33111600 - Radiography devices
  • 33111610 - Magnetic resonance unit
  • 33111660 - Bone densitometers
  • 33111800 - Diagnostic X-ray system
  • 51411000 - Installation services of imaging equipment
  • 51412000 - Installation services of dental and subspecialty equipment
  • 51430000 - Installation services of laboratory equipment
  • 71900000 - Laboratory services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Authority seeks a partner or partners to provide facilities and operators of medical imaging equipment with subsequent analysis of images to provide the Home Office with scientific estimation of chronological age. It is understood that the use of x-rays are the most common form of imaging technique for these purposes but other methods would not be precluded if they can be demonstrated to be viable and effective and the exact type of x-ray is still to be determined. The partner(s) would provide facilities for the capture of images at one or more locations. Coverage across several sites, providing for broader national coverage would be an advantage. The initial estimate is for a requirement of approximately 1,000 assessments a year, however this figure will fluctuate, potentially significantly, based on unpredictable factors.

The content of this PIN, including the nature of works, services, lots, and estimated value, may be the subject to change.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

1 June 2022


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

The Home Office eSourcing is used for sourcing activities. Please follow the steps below to register your interest:

1. To express an interest, participants must first be registered on the Home Office eSourcing Suite. If you have not yet registered, this can be done online at https://homeoffice.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html by following the Register Here Link . Please note that, to register, you must have a valid DUNS number (as provided by Dun and Bradstreet) for the organisation which you are registering and who will be entering into a contract if invited to do so.

2. Email: scientificageassessment@homeoffice.gov.uk

Title of email: Scientific Age Assessment – Expression of Interest

Email to include: Organisation name, Contact name, E-mail address and telephone number.

Once above steps are completed, It is our intention to invite those suppliers that express an interest in this procurement to an early engagement session, subject to parties signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement.

The content of this PIN, including the nature of works, services, lots, and estimated value, may be the subject to change.