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
Simeon Hadebe
Country
United Kingdom
Region 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
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
TPOXX® Antiviral Treatment (Tecovirimat)
Reference number
C79951
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 33651400 - Antivirals for systemic use
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The monkeypox virus belongs to a family of viruses called orthopox viruses and the drug Tecovirimat is an antiviral designed specifically to treat viral infections of this kind. In the current outbreak, Tecovirimat has been successfully used to treat patients with the most severe presentations of monkeypox virus infection. This contract is for a small supply of TPOXX® Antiviral Treatment (Tecovirimat) for the treatment of severe cases of Monkeypox in the UK.
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: £1
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UK
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Supply of Tecovirimat antiviral treatment
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:
Negotiated procedure without a notice:
Regulation 32(2)(b)(ii)
This contract is for a small supply of TPOXX® Antiviral Treatment (Tecovirimat) for the treatment of severe cases of monkeypox in the UK.
The procurement was initiated on the basis that Regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) was applicable in the circumstances that prevailed. This permits the use of a direct award where competition is absent for technical reasons. That is the situation that applies here and as a result a competitive procurement exercise could not have been conducted.
The monkeypox virus belongs to a family of viruses called orthopox viruses. The drug Tecovirimat is an antiviral designed specifically to treat viral infections of this kind. There was no reasonable alternative or substitute available to the authority. This antiviral is the only product with authorisation from the MHRA for the treatment of monkeypox and Meridian Medical Technologies has exclusive right to supply the product to the UK. Therefore, this was the only option available within the market for the UK to procure an effective treatment against the current monkeypox outbreak.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
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
28 July 2022
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
MERIDIAN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
Forsyth House, Cromac Square, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT2 8LA
Belfast
BT2 8LA
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKN0 - Northern Ireland
National registration number
NI020416
Internet address
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: £1
Lowest offer: £1 / Highest offer: £1 taken into consideration
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract is likely to be subcontracted
Value or proportion likely to be subcontracted to third parties
Value excluding VAT: £1
Short description of the part of the contract to be subcontracted
MMT are the sole UK distributor of Tecovirimat which is manufactured by SIGA so the manufacturing and production of the product will be subcontracted.
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
Information on contract value is being withheld due to commercial sensitivity under Regulation 50(6)(b) and (c) as the publication of the price may enable competitors to calculate the price per dose. Publication of this information would therefore: (i) commercially prejudice the supplier in its ongoing negotiations with other national governments; (ii) commercially prejudice the contracting authority in its ongoing negotiations with other vendors; and (iii) impact fair competition between vendors.
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