Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Covid Tests Logistics Services to Pharmacies

Tender description

The Test & Trace programme requires logistics capabilities to enable the storage and outbound distribution capabilities of Lateral Flow Devices (LFD) to support the Government’s ambition to scale up and increase the volume of testing available across all pharmacies in England from April 2021. The programme anticipates that it will need to purchase logistics solutions which provide coverage across pharmacies within England and seeks establishment of a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) as the best means by which to meet its flexible requirements for these services.This PIN is to inform the market of the DPS planned launch and to invite the market to express interest for a market engagement event to understand the capacity and capability of the market for services that DHSC envisions may be required. Lot 1: The Test & Trace programme requires logistics capabilities to enable the storage and outbound distribution capabilities of boxes of tests to support the Government’s ambition to scale up and increase the volume of testing available across all pharmacies in England from April 2021. The programme anticipates that it will need to procure a logistics solution which can undertake daily deliveries to pharmacies within England and seeks establishment of a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) as the best means by which to meet its flexible requirements for these services.The services required include, but will not be limited to, the following components:1.1 Receipt, stock management and warehousing of complete Lateral Flow Device (LFD) kits.1.2 Temperature monitored warehousing and transport1.3 Receiving ordered stock of Kits from the Authority and picking, packing and labelling of each order to be sent to pharmacies. Ordered stock from the Authority shall be Cartons on pallets;1.4 Loading and despatch of Cartons to pharmacy locations in England using the Supplier’s existing delivery network, in line with existing scheduled deliveries to pharmacies; and1.5 Provision of operational management information relating to stock control order status and delivery tracking as required1.6 Provision of a Pharmacy ordering portal.The DPS is expected to launch on 16 April 2021 and will run for an initial period of 12 months with the option to extend the DPS for a further 12 months. Further details surrounding the process of awarding contracts through the DPS will be provided during the market engagement webinar and Bid Pack. Initial contracts awarded through the DPS are expected to be 3 months in duration.Ahead of publishing the DPS, the Department wishes to engage with the market in order to share information about potential upcoming opportunities and provide a detailed overview of the requirement. This will include an operational overview of the logistics services required alongside a commercial overview. Interested parties are invited to join a virtual market engagement webinar where more details will be provided.The market engagement webinar will be held on 06/04/2021 at 15:30 – 16:30.When responding to this notice, please provide contact information for the representatives that you are nominating to attend the event, (maximum two per organisation). We request that organisations determine who would be best placed to attend.Responses should be sent to Janaed.Mirza@dhsc.gov.uk by 11.59 a.m. UK time, 06/04/2021. Please email using the subject line ‘Response to PIN - Market Engagement Event’. Additional information: Please note that the total value of awards indicated in Section II.1.5 of this Notice represents the maximum estimated value of contracts awarded under the DPS throughout its term. DHSC estimates that the value of the initial contracts to be awarded pursuant to this DPS will be in the region of £735,858.Next steps:[11:59pm 06/04/21]: Deadline to register for the market engagement event