SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Qualitative Test Kits

Concepts

• sars
• diagnostic supplies
• variation agreement
• lateral flow test kits
• lateral flow kits
• sars-cov-2 antigen rapid qualitative test kits
• consumables

Location

London

Description

Variation agreement for Lateral Flow Test kits and consumables

Total Quantity or Scope

Variation agreement for lateral flow kits and consumables.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 33124130 - Diagnostic supplies

Indicators

• Award on basis of price.

Legal Justification

DHSC is relying on Regulation 72(1)(c) in order to modify the original contract: (a) the need for the modification has been brought about by circumstances which a diligent contracting authority cannot have foreseen: when the original contract was entered into, DHSC purchased a sufficient volume of tests as was deemed strictly necessary to satisfy demand until an accelerated open procurement for testing kits had been completed. DHSC has abandoned its existing open procurement procedure for Lateral Flow Test (LFT) kits on the basis that the type of products required has changed since the open procurement was first advertised. Although a new open procurement procedure based on the updated requirement is underway (Contract notice reference 2020/S 253-639081), it is likely that test kits ordered from suppliers that are successful under that procurement procedure will not be received until mid-February. The demand for testing kits has exceeded expectations as a result of an unprecedented number of new cases which were not originally envisaged, and also as a result of additional requirements (e.g. testing university students, testing within the community, the mass testing of NHS personnel). Recent data is showing the likelihood of a greater than expected increase in Covid-19 cases, and therefore an increase in projected test requirements in January. As such, the demand for testing kits has been significantly higher than anticipated which could not have been foreseen when the original contract was entered into. The additional volumes of test kits procured pursuant to this modification is for a stopgap supply of test kits to cover the period between the current supply of kits being exhausted and those obtained pursuant to the contract awarded under the accelerated open procedure. (b) the modification does not alter the overall nature of the contract: the test kit components remain exactly the same as those covered by the original contract. (c) The value of the modification is less than 50 % of the original contract value.

Other Information

DHSC awarded a contract on 6 October 2020 to Innova Medical Group Inc for the provision of lateral flow test kits to support the UK Covid-19 testing strategy (Contract Award Notice reference 2020/S 217-533961). DHSC is extending the contract relying on Regulation 72(1)(c) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 to procure additional volumes of tests until 14 January 2021. DHSC is conducting an accelerated procurement for future requirements (Contract Notice reference 2020/S 253-639081).