Courier Services for Hampshire Scientific Services

Tender description

Hampshire County Council (the Authority) is preparing to tender a contract for courier services to support Hampshire Scientific Services (HSS). This pre‑market engagement notice is to inform the market of the forthcoming procurement opportunity. HSS provides accredited scientific advisory and analytical services to public authorities across the UK, supporting statutory functions to ensure public health and safety. As part of its work with Suffolk Coastal Port Health Authority (SCPHA), HSS is responsible for coordinating the transport of imported food and feed samples from ports in East Suffolk (Felixstowe, Harwich, and Ipswich) to laboratories in Kent and Hampshire. These samples are collected for enforcement testing and are highly time‑critical, with some requiring collection, delivery, and analysis within a strict 24 hour window. Maintaining chain of custody, sample integrity, and timely delivery is therefore essential. The purpose of this procurement is to appoint a suitably capable same‑day courier to deliver a reliable and responsive service. The supplier will be required to provide secure, direct transport that avoids unnecessary handling or delays, and to provide scalable capacity to meet regular weekday demand, with flexibility for occasional weekend requirements. The contract will be for an initial period of 19 months, with the option to extend for up to 2 additional 12-month periods until 29 June 2030.