RESAS/017/20 - Integrating Covid19 testing data from wastewater with human testing data

Tender description

Introduction 1. Scottish Government requires to procure integrative biostatistical support bringing together data from human Covid-19 testing and wastewater testing. This is to support the local response to Covid-19 especially in the rollout of local mass-testing. The contract is designed to start as soon as possible and run until the 31st March 2022. The work was proposed by the Chief Scientific Advisor for Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and will be funded through RESAS – Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services. There has been an emergency contract running on a Non-Competitive Action (NCA) basis which comes to an end on 31st March 2021. This tender is on a competitive basis and will take the handover from the prior NCA. Background & Context 2. Because of the Covid-19 outbreak ongoing biostatistical support is needed to integrate human testing data for SARS-COV-2 with wastewater data from SEPA. This is to inform local mass-testing, and to give biostatistical support for NHS and Local Authorities on the integrated dataset. Currently the contract is held by Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS). Scope /Statement of Requirement 3. This contract will supply integrative statistical support for Covid19 modelling. It covers the cost of using consultants to integrate SEPA wastewater testing data for SARS-Cov-2 with human testing data, in order to support health boards, local authorities and Scottish Government understand localised risk and identify prevalence in the population of the Coronavirus. 4. The supplier will produce local level estimates of SARS-CoV-2 prevalence based on population surveillance through integrating water-based samples from SEPA and NHS testing data from humans. This will then be made available to Scottish Government, NHS Scotland and the Directors of Public Health in each local authority.