Published date: 19 April 2021

This notice was replaced on 22 April 2021

This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:

Early engagement (published 22 April 2021)

Closed early engagement


Contract summary

Industry

  • Medical consumables - 33140000

  • Packaging and related services - 79920000

  • Packaging services - 79921000

Location of contract

SW1H 0EU

Procurement reference

CF-0177600D0O000000rwimUAA1

Published date

19 April 2021

Closing date

23 April 2021

Contract type

Supply contract

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No


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.

NHS Test and Trace is seeking to procure the packaging requirements for the kitting of test kits specifically for the Home Channel, with continuity of supply being fundamental during this transition period.

The ambition of NHS Test and Trace is to ensure that everyone who needs a test in the UK has access to one. The Home Channel is one of a number of convenient channels helping to facilitate Covid-19 testing. To support the Home Channel, NHS Test and Trace 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 Test and Trace have designed a packaging solution to meet the requirements of the Home Test Channel. It includes an individual test kit cardboard box, a tamper seal, a double grip seal leakproof bag and an absorbent sheet to protect against leaks.
The volume is anticipated to be approximately 2.4M individual test kits, kitted per month.

Pre-engagement activity:
We intend to run an initial supplier engagement event including a Webinar and RFI (prior to the issue of the tender) on Friday 23rd April at 10am. The Webinar is intended to provide those who may be interested in participating in this procurement with details of the outline business case and proposed procurement approach. The RFI is for the Authority to collect feedback on the packaging design (the practicalities of the design and the technical capacity to manufacture).

In order to attend the webinar, please use the following link to register on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/market-engagement-event-standardised-packaging-test-trace-tickets-150569841449
The RFI will be published prior to the webinar on our e-Procurement system, Atamis. Please register with your interest by Thursday 24th April using the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome Select "Find Opportunities" and then select the Packaging Standardisation for NHS Test & Trace opportunity.
Once you have selected the Opportunity, press the "Register Interest" button to register your interest.

Please note that all future correspondence for the event will be our e-Procurement System.


About the buyer

Contact name

Test & Trace Market Engagement

Address

39 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0EU
GB

Email

ttmarketengagement@dhsc.gov.uk