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Request for Information - Containment Level 3 (CL3) UK Capacity

Tender Overview

LOCATION

United Kingdom, United Kingdom

VALUE

£1

DEADLINE

February 16, 2026 at 00:00

CATEGORY

Other

CPV CODE

71900000

REFERENCE

008674-2026

Project Timeline

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Contact Information

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View Original

Original Tender Description

Instructions: 1. The purpose of this document is to enhance the Authority’s understanding of the marketplace and its options for sourcing for a potential future requirement. 2. The issuance of this request for information (RFI) does not constitute a sourcing exercise nor will the Authority pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a response to this RFI. 3. The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) key objectives for this RFI are: a. understand the ability of the marketplace to fulfil its requirements; b. refine the scope of the requirements to best align to the marketplace; and c. inform the Authority’s chosen route to market to best enable competition. 4. The key dates for this RFI are as follows: 1. RFI Published: 19th January 2026 2. RFI Response 16th February 2026 5. Should you have any questions or queries relating to this RFI, please use the Atamis portal’s messaging centre to direct your questions to us for a response. 6. If a response is not received by the RFI response deadline this will have no impact on your ability to tender for the opportunity in the future. UKHSA will not enter into contracts on the basis of replies to this RFI. Description of Scope of Requirements: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is exploring opportunities to supplement its existing Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratory capacity through collaboration with operational CL3 facilities across the UK. This Request for Information (RFI) seeks to understand the capabilities, readiness, and interest of organisations that currently operate CL3 laboratories and may be able to support UKHSA's public health mission during surge periods or emergencies. Objectives - Identify operational CL3 laboratories with spare capacity or surge readiness. -Assess technical, digital, and governance capabilities for collaboration. - Explore commercial models for potential engagement with UKHSA. This RFI is intended for organisations that currently operate CL3 laboratories in the UK. Responses should focus on existing facilities and capabilities that could be mobilised to support UKHSA's laboratory operations, particularly during public health emergencies or periods of high demand. A copy of the RFI can be downloaded from: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/b4a0097e-f858-42ae-bc7b-4f5bafe87933 Should you wish to respond to this Request for Information, please complete and return the attached RFI via email to joshua.williams@ukhsa.gov.uk.
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MANDATORY EXCLUSION GROUNDS

  • Not applicable as this is a Request for Information (RFI) and not a tender or sourcing exercise. There are no exclusion grounds for responding to an RFI.
✓

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • The organisation must currently operate Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratories.
  • The organisation must be located in the UK.
🔧

TECHNICAL CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Demonstrate existing operational Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratory facilities.
  • Possess spare CL3 laboratory capacity or surge readiness.
  • Ability to provide technical capabilities for collaboration with UKHSA.
  • Ability to provide digital capabilities for collaboration with UKHSA.
  • Ability to provide governance capabilities for collaboration with UKHSA.
  • Capability to mobilise existing facilities and capabilities to support UKHSA's laboratory operations, particularly during public health emergencies or periods of high demand.
💰

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • No costs incurred in the preparation of the RFI response will be paid by the Authority.
  • Respondents should be prepared to explore commercial models for potential future engagement with UKHSA.
📋

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • Complete and return the attached RFI document.
  • Submit the completed RFI via email to joshua.williams@ukhsa.gov.uk.
  • Submit the RFI response by the deadline of 16th February 2026.
  • Direct any questions or queries relating to this RFI via the Atamis portal’s messaging centre.
  • Responses should focus on existing facilities and capabilities.

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DOC
OCDS Record
OCDS Data008674-2026_ocds_record.json
Summary:
This document is a Request for Information (RFI) from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) seeking to understand the capabilities of organisations operating Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratories for potential future collaboration during surge periods or emergencies.
DOC
OCDS Release Package
OCDS Data008674-2026_ocds_release.json
Summary:
This OCDS data package details a Request for Information (RFI) from UKHSA to identify UK-based Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratories with capacity for future collaboration during public health emergencies, serving as market research rather than a tender.
PDF
Official PDF Version
General Information008674-2026_official.pdf
Summary:
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to identify UK-based Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratories with existing capacity or surge readiness to potentially collaborate during public health emergencies, aiming to understand market capabilities and refine future sourcing strategies without constituting a formal tender.
HTM
Tender Notice
Administrative Documents008674-2026.html
Summary:
UKHSA is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) to identify UK organisations with operational Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratory capacity interested in potentially collaborating to support public health during surge periods or emergencies.

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75
Good

Tender Quality Score

This Request for Information (RFI) is well-structured for market research, clearly outlining its purpose and requirements for CL3 laboratory capacity. While effective as an RFI, minor data inconsistencies and the use of email for submissions are noted.

Score Breakdown

Legal Compliance75/100

The RFI clearly defines its purpose and procedure type, adhering to market engagement principles. CPV codes are appropriate, and there are no disputes. Minor inconsistencies exist in the 'Type' and 'Procedure' metadata fields.

•Inconsistent 'Type' and 'Procedure' fields in basic information.
Clarity80/100

The RFI's purpose, objectives, and scope are exceptionally clear and unambiguous. Requirements are well-documented and understandable, accurately extracted by AI. As an RFI, formal evaluation criteria are not applicable.

Completeness70/100

Most essential information, including title, reference, organization, deadlines, and a download link, is provided. However, the 'Type' and 'Procedure' fields are incomplete, and the estimated value/duration refer to a potential future contract, which could be clearer in context.

•'Type' and 'Procedure' fields are marked as 'None'.
•Estimated value and contract duration refer to a hypothetical future contract, which could be confusing without careful reading.
Fairness85/100

Document access is full, and the value is disclosed. Requirements are specific to CL3 labs but not tailored to a single company. The use of email for RFI responses, rather than a full e-procurement portal, slightly reduces the level of standardized equal access.

•RFI responses are submitted via email instead of a dedicated e-procurement platform.
Practicality65/100

While a document URL and future contract dates are provided, the reliance on email for RFI submission rather than a fully integrated e-procurement system for all interactions (questions via portal, responses via email) is a practical drawback.

•Electronic submission is not fully integrated; responses are via email.
Data Consistency90/100

Key dates are logical and consistent, and there are no disputes or suspensions. The main inconsistencies lie in the 'Type' and 'Procedure' fields being unpopulated and 'Liable Person' being empty.

•'Type', 'Procedure', and 'Liable Person' fields are empty or marked as 'None'.
Sustainability50/100

The RFI does not explicitly incorporate green procurement, social aspects, or innovation focus. This is common for a technical capacity RFI but represents a missed opportunity for broader impact considerations.

•No explicit mention of green procurement, social aspects, or innovation focus.

Strengths

Clear and unambiguous description of the RFI's purpose and objectives.
Well-defined scope of requirements for CL3 laboratory capabilities.
Full document access provided with a direct download link.
Requirements are specific to a niche market but not tailored to a single entity.
All key dates and financial context for a potential future contract are included.

Concerns

Inconsistent or unpopulated metadata fields ('Type', 'Procedure', 'Liable Person').
Reliance on email for RFI responses instead of a comprehensive e-procurement portal.
Absence of explicit sustainability, social, or innovation criteria.
While an RFI, no stated method for how gathered information will be internally assessed.

Recommendations

1. Ensure all metadata fields are accurately populated to enhance data consistency and clarity.
2. Implement a fully integrated e-procurement platform for all RFI interactions, including submissions, to improve fairness and practicality.
3. Consider integrating sustainability, social value, or innovation criteria into future formal tenders derived from this market research.

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Tender Quality Score
75/ 100 · Good
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