Prior Information Notice for the provision of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests

Description

The Houses of the Oireachtas Service, “the Service”, intends to establish a multi-supplier framework for the provision of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests in 2022. The test kits will be specified for self-test/home-test applications. The initial requirement will be for a minimum of 5,000 tests. The top 5 vendors based on Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) scores will be appointed as framework members. Subsequent drawdown contracts may be implemented via a quotes and/or mini-competition process which will be specified in the RFT. Lot 1: The Houses of the Oireachtas Service, “the Service”, intends to establish a multi-supplier framework for the provision of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests in 2022. The test kits will be specified for self-test/home-test applications. The tender will establish a Framework Agreement with a maximum of 5 vendors. The initial requirement will be for a minimum of 5,000 tests. The top 5 vendors based on Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) scores will be appointed as framework members. Subsequent drawdown contracts may be implemented via a quotes and/or mini-competition process which will be specified in the RFT. The Service will only purchase antigen tests which have been approved by the Health Security Committee of the European Commission Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety. A list of all approved antigen tests can be found here: covid-19_rat_common-list_en.pdf (europa.eu) For the avoidance of doubt, the Service will only purchase antigen tests which are either individually packaged or 5 tests to a pack maximum. Please also note, due to the level of demand expected in Q1 2022, the specification will seek assurance of the robustness of the logistics systems that will be implemented to source, manage and ensure timely delivery of batches of product to the end user. Where tenderers rely on the capacity of third parties to deliver the contract, responses will be required to demonstrate the operational aspects of the relationships. For example, letters of undertaking and references. No expressions of interest are required at this time. Any queries and clarifications can be issued in response to the initial RFT that will be released in February 2022.