Procurement of Molecular Enteric System for UKHSA labs with Service and Reagents

The four regional Public Health Laboratories are commissioned to investigate outbreaks and other gastrointestinal infection events by health protection and clinical teams. Traditionally, bacterial investigations have been undertaken using agar culture methods which are slower and less accurate than modern molecular PCR methods. UKHSA has sought to enhance its capabilities at its regional Public Health Laboratories and optimise Public Health investigations and move bacterial, parasitic, and viral investigations onto a molecular enteric solution. UKHSA has undertaken a mini-competition via the National Microbiology Framework Lot 1 - reference 5657 - which was let by UKHSA. The tender was open for 28 days to enable bidders adequate time to bid for the requirement. Three Bidders responded to the tender however, Serosep was the highest scoring supplier utilising the MEAT methodology.