Provision of Drug, Alcohol & DNA Testing Services Framework

What this is

Newport City Council has published a preliminary/market-engagement notice (UK2) regarding "Provision of Drug, Alcohol & DNA Testing Services Framework" rather than a live tender. The Drug, Alcohol and DNA Testing Services framework established by Newport City Council in 2020 for use by Welsh local authorities is due to expire 30 September 2026. The new framework which will commence on the 1 October 2026 will be comprised of 2 lots: Lot 1 - Drug & Alcohol Testing Services, Lot 2 - DNA Testing Services. Suppliers appointed to the... Estimated value £11,400,000 excluding VAT. Procured under the Light Touch Regime. This is market engagement / pipeline stage; no formal bid is invited yet.

Key points

• Buyer: Newport City Council; location: Wales, East Wales, West Wales and the Valleys.
• Stage: market engagement / pipeline (UK2) — not yet a live tender.
• Register interest per the notice instructions to join the engagement.

Who can bid

This is a preliminary market-engagement / pipeline notice (UK2); there are no formal eligibility criteria yet. Interested providers should register interest and take part in the engagement to help shape the future procurement.

How it is scored

Award criteria (quality/price weighting) are set out in the tender documents and were not itemised in the notice.

How to submit

No tender submission is required at this stage. Follow the instructions in the notice to register interest / attend engagement sessions. Notice: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN630432

Clarifications

Direct clarification questions through the procurement portal by the enquiry deadline stated in the notice.

Contract period

Estimated contract period 2026-10-01 to 2030-09-30; approximately 47 months; a framework agreement is being established.

Classification

CPV 71900000 — Laboratory services WalesEast WalesWest Wales and the Valleys