UKHSA_Scientific- Provision of WASP Touch Spiral Platers

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is planning to award a contract via 2020/S 217-533940: UKHSA National Microbiology Framework Lot 1- Diagnostics to Don Whitley Scientific Ltd for the provision of WASP Touch Spiral Platers and sanitising stations for use in its UKHSA Food Water and Environmental Microbiology Services (FWEMS) laboratories located in York, Porton and Colindale. UKHSA believes that Don Whitley Scientific Ltd is the only supplier capable of providing equipment which meets our requirements, as the WASP Touch Spiral Platers and sanitising stations are required as part of approved UKAS accredited methods, and the platers and stations need to be compatible with existing equipment and software being used in the laboratories. Changing to a different type of equipment would require extensive validation work to demonstrate that the new equipment can perform at the same level as the existing equipment and would be costly, as UKAS would have to inspect the new equipment and accredit the new SOP. The process for obtaining new UKAS accreditations would mean that any new equipment could not be used for at least six months. As the FWEMS laboratories are England's only official food control laboratories, this option is not feasible. If you have a solution which you believe could meet our requirements, please send a copy of your quote and information about the equipment you can provide to science.tendering@ukhsa.gov.uk by no later than 5pm on 6th October 2023.