Microbiology framework created to speed up access to supplies and build threat resilience

The framework will help ensure labs and other diagnostic and treatment services have easier and faster access to essential supplies. It is open to all public sector, academic and charitable bodies and provides access to approved suppliers of tools for sample analysis, diagnostics and research and development across the infectious disease spectrum.

Designed by Public Health England (PHE) and supported by the Cabinet Office and Department of Health and Social Care, the Framework is split into 4 lots:

1. Diagnostics goods and services – 113 suppliers.

2. Research and development goods and services – 68 suppliers.

3. Manufacturing, product development and commercialisation – 9 suppliers.

4. Clinical laboratory diagnostic testing – 50 suppliers.

Lots 1 to 3 of the Framework provides for diagnostic products and services used in the laboratory and out in the field – from assay development through to the commercialisation of new tests.

Lot 4 will enable greater collaboration between the public and private sectors and to provide a wider pool of suppliers that can be called upon for testing capacity, as and when required.

The new structure was developed following the success of the initial PHE Microbiology Framework, launched in 2016. Lots 3 and 4 have been added to this format to provide easy access to purchasing supplies that meet the necessary requirements.

Nilesh Pattani, Head of Scientific Procurement, said:

This will be an important strategic commercial vehicle to procure our future diagnostic testing needs, building on the benefits of the PHE Microbiology Framework which has been invaluable. The market response has been tremendous, and the framework provides access to 170 suppliers and their technologies.

The framework will support the new UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) going forward. In particular, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) is an area of strategic importance to the health market to support variant strain identification and is within the scope of the framework.