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

Tender Overview

LOCATION

United Kingdom, United Kingdom

VALUE

£1

DEADLINE

February 02, 2026 at 00:00

CATEGORY

Other

CPV CODE

71900000

REFERENCE

004528-2026

Project Timeline

Contact Information

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 2nd 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.
⚠️

MANDATORY EXCLUSION GROUNDS

  • This is a Request for Information (RFI), not a formal tender. There are no mandatory exclusion grounds for responding to an RFI. Responding or not responding has no impact on future opportunities.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • This is a Request for Information (RFI), not a formal tender. There are no eligibility requirements to bid for a contract. However, the RFI is intended for specific organisations.
  • Organisation must currently operate Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratories.
  • Organisation must operate CL3 laboratories in the UK.
🔧

TECHNICAL CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Provide information on existing CL3 laboratory facilities.
  • Provide information on existing CL3 laboratory capabilities.
  • Demonstrate readiness to support UKHSA's public health mission during surge periods or emergencies.
  • Demonstrate ability to support UKHSA's laboratory operations, particularly during public health emergencies or periods of high demand.
  • Possess operational CL3 laboratories with spare capacity or surge readiness.
  • Possess technical capabilities for collaboration.
  • Possess digital capabilities for collaboration.
  • Possess governance capabilities for collaboration.
💰

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • This is a Request for Information (RFI), not a formal tender. There are no financial requirements for responding to an RFI.
  • Understand that the Authority will not pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a response to this RFI.
  • Be prepared to explore and provide information on potential commercial models for future engagement with UKHSA.
📋

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • Submit response by 2nd February 2026.
  • Use the Atamis portal’s messaging centre for any questions or queries relating to this RFI.
  • Complete and return the attached RFI document.
  • Return the completed RFI via email to joshua.williams@ukhsa.gov.uk.

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DOC
OCDS Record
OCDS Data004528-2026_ocds_record.json
Summary:
This Request for Information (RFI) from the UK Health Security Agency seeks to identify UK-based organisations with operational Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratories and capacity to support public health missions during surge periods, aiming to understand market capabilities and refine future procurement strategies.
DOC
OCDS Release Package
OCDS Data004528-2026_ocds_release.json
Summary:
The UK Health Security Agency is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to identify UK-based organisations with operational Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratories interested in potential future collaboration to supplement its capacity during public health emergencies.
PDF
Official PDF Version
Administrative Documents004528-2026_official.pdf
Summary:
This RFI from UKHSA seeks information from organisations operating Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratories in the UK to understand their capacity, capabilities, and interest in supporting public health during surge periods, without constituting a formal sourcing exercise or tender.
HTM
Tender Notice
Administrative Documents004528-2026.html
Summary:
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to identify UK-based organisations with operational Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratory capacity interested in potential future collaboration 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 its purpose of market engagement, clearly outlining objectives and requirements, though some aspects of data presentation and submission methods could be improved.

Score Breakdown

Legal Compliance75/100

The RFI clearly defines its non-binding nature and purpose, aligning with best practices for market engagement. Deadlines are reasonable for an RFI. The 'Type: None' and 'Procedure: None' in structured data are technically accurate for an RFI but could cause initial confusion.

Structured data fields 'Type' and 'Procedure' are marked as 'None', which, while technically correct for an RFI, could be clearer if a specific 'RFI' type was available.
Clarity80/100

The RFI's description, objectives, and scope of requirements are exceptionally clear and unambiguous. The AI-extracted requirements accurately reflect the document's content. The absence of formal evaluation criteria is appropriate for an RFI.

Completeness70/100

All essential basic information is provided, and documents are accessible. However, the inclusion of 'Contract Duration' and 'Contract Start' dates, which pertain to a potential future contract rather than the RFI itself, can be somewhat misleading regarding the completeness of the RFI's own details.

Inclusion of 'Contract Duration' and 'Contract Start' dates for a potential future contract within the RFI's basic information, which is not directly relevant to the RFI's own lifecycle.
Fairness85/100

Document access is full, and the nominal value is disclosed. The 14-day response period is reasonable for an RFI. Requirements are specific to CL3 labs but not tailored to a single company. The lack of a dedicated e-submission portal, relying on email, slightly reduces fairness compared to modern standards.

Submission via email rather than a dedicated e-procurement portal may offer less equal access and auditability.
Practicality65/100

The provision of a document URL is practical. However, the reliance on email for submission, coupled with using a separate portal (Atamis) for questions, creates a less streamlined and less practical process than a fully integrated e-procurement system.

Lack of full electronic submission support, relying on email for responses.
Mixed communication channels (Atamis for questions, email for submission) reduce overall practicality.
Data Consistency90/100

Key fields are populated, and dates are logical and consistent. There are no reported disputes or suspensions. The nominal estimated value of 1.00 EUR is consistent with an RFI's non-binding nature.

Sustainability50/100

The RFI does not explicitly incorporate green procurement, social aspects, or innovation focus. While the nature of the service (public health emergency response) has inherent social value, these criteria are not actively sought or highlighted within the RFI itself.

No explicit mention of green procurement criteria.
No explicit mention of social criteria.

Strengths

Clear and unambiguous description of the RFI's purpose and objectives.
Comprehensive scope of requirements for information gathering.
All basic information and documents are readily accessible.
Explicitly states the RFI is not a formal tender and non-binding.
Requirements are specific to the market segment but not tailored to a single entity.

Concerns

Submission via email rather than a dedicated e-procurement portal.
Mixed communication channels (Atamis for questions, email for submission).
Inclusion of future contract details (duration, start date) within the RFI's basic information.
Lack of explicit sustainability, social, or innovation criteria.
Structured data fields 'Type' and 'Procedure' are marked as 'None'.

Recommendations

1. Implement a fully integrated e-procurement platform for both questions and submissions to enhance practicality and fairness.
2. Clarify in structured data fields that the entry is an RFI, if possible, to avoid 'None' entries and improve data interpretation.
3. Consider including a section on how sustainability, social value, or innovation might be considered in future formal procurements, even for an RFI.

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B
Tender Quality Score
75/ 100 · Good

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