Provision of Public Health Microbiology Services for London Region

Tender description

Public Health England (PHE) is looking to commission a partner who will undertake the routine public health specimen testing required for the London region and also to provide capability and capacity to investigate outbreaks at short notice, including the ability to roll out new tests during a public health incident. Planned contract to deliver Public Health Microbiology Services for the London region should cover: - routine public health specimen testing for the London region - specialist referred tests - tests not performed in all laboratories, but which do not necessarily have to be sent to a reference laboratory (such as viral culture, other virology, mycology and serology tests, particularly if low volume) - molecular diagnostic tests that are not widely available in other laboratories, such as nucleic acid amplification tests for HIV and hepatitis C - emergency response to incidents, regional and national outbreaks, and serious epidemics, such as Middle east respiratory syndrome Coronavirus and H5N1 influenza - research and development - PHE's public health laboratories are at the forefront of research and development in medical microbiology and molecular diagnostics, providing our service partners with direct 'real-time' access to technological improvements and advancements In addition, the Provider will be required to work with the PHE London team on the following, including but not limited to: - Provide surge capacity for major outbreaks, look-backs and in support of national incident responses - Participate in regional and national sentinel and enhanced surveillance programmes - Participate in data gathering, collation and analysis on behalf of PHE - Undertake development and testing of clinical and public health related Standard Operating Procedures and the field evaluation of diagnostics - Undertake work and projects in collaboration with the local Health Protection Teams - Contribute to specialised training programmes for healthcare professionals in public health microbiology and communicable disease control. An Opportunity Notice will be published in conjunction with the tender specification and further detail of the process to be utilised. Expected date for publication is late October early November 2019. All enquiries must be received through the procurement lead Dr Anna Gibson anna.gibson@phe.gov.uk.