UKHSA Commercial and Partnerships

About us

We deliver an end-to-end commercial service to support health security for the UK. This begins at the idea stage and then works through design, delivery, performance and exit so that UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) obtains maximum impact and value for money.

We procure, store and distribute vaccines and countermeasures. We drive value for public money through competition and ensure maximum impact from the services UKHSA provides. We ensure fairness and transparency in our use of public money.

Our teams specialise in procurement, contract management, business development, commercial strategy development, market engagement and analysis, and strategic relationship management.

How to engage with UKHSA

We are working to build an environment in which UKHSA and companies can work together effectively and exchange ideas, knowledge and skills.

We engage with industry in a variety of ways. Our events and activities provide opportunities for suppliers to establish productive relationships with industry experts, our programmes and delivery teams and members of the wider supply community.

We aim to run workshops throughout the year to share the plans and objectives of our programmes and to get feedback from industry on our approach and its impact on suppliers and the market. We will run working groups that contribute directly to our team’s work and will also run webinars and requests for information (RFI) because we understand that these help industries plan, prepare for potential opportunities and provide input into our products and services.

Marketing engagement events

We run webinars, open days and events that give insights into our work, opening doors and conversations with current and future partners.

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Commercial opportunities

UKHSA works with a wide range of commercial partners from early collaboration to buying finished products.

UKHSA buys a wide range of goods, services and works. Our areas of spend include:

• vaccines and countermeasures
• diagnostics tools
• technology and digital services
• resourcing and recruitment
• professional services
• laboratory infrastructure
• laboratory maintenance services
• laboratory equipment and consumables
• logistics

UKHSA’s commercial directorate’s vision is to provide best-in-class commercial expertise, which:

• delivers timely goods and services
• maximises value for money and impact
• is fully aligned to the UK government’s priorities

We tender contracts in accordance with UK procurement legislation that ensures open and fair competition between bidders. This means our contracts are competitively tendered following a set of standard processes.

The commercial function is measured against the government’s commercial operating standards, which assesses all government departments against a common set of standards and indicators.

UKHSA pipeline

Our pipeline provides a forward look at potential commercial activity within UKHSA.

This is the latest pipeline of activity, released in MayNovember 2024.2023.

UKHSA external facing pipeline

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Led by our Commercial Directorate, UKHSA is developing the commercial programme pipeline for the financial year 20242023 to 20252024 and beyond, in line with departmental transformation. As a result, UKHSA is only able to publish known corporate commercial activity valued at over £2 million. Any significant future changes will be published iteratively.

UKHSA makes no commitment that the:

• requirements identified in these tables will be procured
• annual value of any contract will be as stated
• timing of any future procurement exercises will be as stated
• sourcing route for any subsequent procurements will be as stated
• published pipeline is comprehensive and includes all the UKHSA future commercial activity

UKHSA frameworks and dynamic purchasing system (DPS)

Lateral flow DPS – C22033

Consumables reagents and equipment DPS – C23555

Transparent face masks DPS – C31065

National Microbiologymicrobiology Frameworkframework – C39348

Assisted testing framework contract – C50350

Antibody testing DPS

Historical tenders

Atamis is now UKHSA’s primary e-tendering portal. From 1 October 2020, invitations to tender expressions of interest will be published on Atamis. Search for UKHSA contract opportunities on Contracts Finder. You will also find details of contracts worth over £10,000 that UKHSA has awarded in the past.

If there is an UKHSA tender you want to take part in, register on the Atamis portal and read the opportunities section. This will show you the current UKHSA opportunities as well as some global opportunities across other government departments.

UKHSA and government procurement policy

Social value

Procurement Policy Note 06/20 – taking account of social value in the award of central government contracts

This note sets out how to take account of social value in the award of central government contracts by using the Social Value Model. UKHSA will use this model to take account of the additional social benefits that can be achieved in the delivery of its contracts, using policy outcomes aligned with this government’s priorities.

Sustainability

We practice sustainable procurement to achieve value for money while minimising environmental damage and waste.

Integrity in business

UK companies that do business with integrity are better positioned to reduce risks and capitalise on commercial opportunities. This means complying with the UK Bribery Act and ensuring local partners, agents and distributors adhere to the same high standards. It also means being vigilant for modern slavery and other human rights abuses, both in operations and supply chains, in line with the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Companies that make integrity core to their business protect and strengthen brand reputation enjoy greater and more sustainable commercial success over the long-term, minimising the risk of prosecution.

Tackling bribery and corruption creates more prosperous and healthy communities and a better business environment. It also enables the UK to maintain its status as a global leader in the fight against corruption.

UKHSA staff engaged in procurement have a duty to act in a professional and impartial manner and to be mindful of the Bribery Act 2010. We expect our suppliers to act in accordance with this.

The Ministry of Justice has published extensive guidance on the Bribery Act. Transparency International has also published guidance for business on how to resist demands for bribes.

External collaborations

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Collaborative research for real-world results

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Ready to partner for public health?

WeIf believeyou globalwould collaborationlike with industry and leading organisations is key to protectingpartner andor improvingwork publicwith health.UKHSA Ifon youany shareof ourthe vision,above, we invite you to contact us at business@ukhsa.gov.uk to discuss potential commercial partnerships and explore how we can work together to achieve your scientific goals.

Evaluation of lateral flow antigen tests

If you have a test that meets the prioritisation criteria for validation, visit Lateral flow validation prioritisation criteria for rapid diagnostic assays for specific SARS-CoV-2 antigens and submit details of the test via email to supplierengagement@ukhsa.gov.uk

Finance

How we pay supply partners

All central government departments are required to pay 90% of undisputed invoices within 5 days. You need to be aware of the prompt payment procedures to achieve this. This includes Procurement Policy Note 07/20, which sets out how payment approaches can be taken into account in the procurement of major government contracts.

From 1 October 2021, new purchase orders (POs) raised and uplifts to existing POs will bear the UKHSA logo and payment made accordingly by UKHSA.

Invoices

For invoices,invoices beyond 1 October 2021, ensure the details in the invoice contain the UKHSA-issued PO number and are addressed as follows:

VAT registration number: GB 888 851 648

Such invoices should be emailed to payables@ukhsa.gov.ukpayables@phe.gov.uk

Our relationships with external suppliers in the UK and internationally are enormously important to us – should you have any queries on the information provided above, or in relation to invoicing UKHSA, from 1 October 2021, email procuretopay@ukhsa.gov.ukprocuretopay@phe.gov.uk

Terms and conditions of business

UKHSA terms and conditions for the supply of goods and/or services

Contact us

For any queries relating to commercial aspects, email supplierengagement@ukhsa.gov.uk