715975483 Transparency Notice UK5

The Counter CBRN Delivery Team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), intends to award a contract to BBI Solutions for the continued manufacture and supply of the currently fielded Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs). The contract will be for a period of 4 years followed by two one-year option years. The value of the contract including the option years will be approximately £41M excluding VAT. The contract will provide continuity of supply whilst the Authority undertakes and completes a full open commercial competition for the longer-term provision of this capability.

The LFDs form a critical component of the MOD's biological detection and identification capability and are employed to support operational readiness and defence outputs. Any interruption to the manufacture and supply of these devices would present a significant risk to capability availability, training activities, stock sustainment and operational preparedness.

It is considered that the direct award of this interim contract is lawful in accordance with Section 41(1) of the Procurement Act 2023 and Schedule 5 for technical reasons. BBI is currently the sole organisation possessing the necessary technical knowledge, manufacturing processes, quality assurance arrangements, validated production methods, intellectual property, specialist reagents and approved supply chain required to produce the extant LFDs to the required specification.

The existing LFD design, manufacturing process and associated technical data have been developed, qualified and proven through BBI's established production arrangements. Transitioning manufacture to an alternative supplier before completion of a competitive procurement activity would necessitate technology transfer, revalidation of manufacturing processes, qualification testing, quality assurance approvals and regulatory assurance activities. These activities cannot be completed within the timescales required to maintain uninterrupted supply.

The Authority has determined that no reasonable alternative exists that could provide the required products in the necessary timeframe, quality standard and technical configuration without generating disproportionate technical, schedule and operational risk. Consequently, BBI is presently the only supplier capable of meeting the Authority's immediate requirement.

This proposed direct award is intended solely as an interim measure to ensure continuity of supply and sustain operational capability until a full and open competition can be conducted. The Authority remains committed to undertaking a competitive procurement exercise to determine the longer-term provision of this requirement.