The UKHSA Diagnostics and Research Open Framework will be tendered later this year and ahead of that procurement UK Health and Security Agency’s (UKHSA) Scientific Procurement team wishes to conduct a market engagement exercise.
This consultation is intended to enhance the procurement team’s understanding of the current market in advance of the tendering of the open framework agreement later in the year.
This framework is the successor to the current UKHSA National Microbiology Framework, and predecessor PHE Public Health Microbiology Framework and will be used to support the UK Health Security Agency’s Diagnostics and Research activities. The framework is being set up in collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Cabinet Office and will be divided into two lots:
- Diagnostics Goods and Services (products that are UKCA/CE marked or otherwise validated to the required specification), and
- Research and development (research products that are not UKCA/CE marked)
An open framework under the new Procurement Act 2023 can have a term of up to 8 years and may be opened to new suppliers during its term, following the initial tender and contract award phase to launch the framework. The value of the framework is estimated to be £5 billion. The actual values will vary based on the level of purchasing considered necessary to provide suitable requirements.
UKHSA works with DHSC and the NHS in its role as a national and international emergency responder to current and emerging threats to public health. As demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the exact nature, timing, and escalation of such threats (and the corresponding required responses) can be difficult to foresee, making any exercise in future value estimation unpredictable.
The framework will be open to all UK public sector bodies including UK Health Security Agency, the Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health Wales, Public Health Scotland, NHS Authorities and Trusts, Special Health Authorities, Local Authorities and any other NHS entity or successor body. The framework can also be accessed by academic and charitable institutions.
Beth Loudon has sent details of the market engagement to the members of the BIVDA Market Access and Procurement Working Party, however, if you are interested and have not received this or are not yet a member of the Working Party and would like to be please do contact beth.loudon@bivda.org.uk for more information.
