Closing soon5 days left · closes midday, Wednesday 18 November 2026

Framework Agreement for DNA, Drug and Alcohol Testing Services

City & County of Swansea · Local authority

In brief

City & County of Swansea is looking for suppliers for healthcare work (Wales).

It is a framework worth up to £700,000 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 5 years, up to 7 years with extensions, starting 11 January 2027.

It is split into 2 lots, so a supplier can bid for part of the work.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Bids close at midday, Wednesday 18 November 2026.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Key dates

Questions by: midday, Monday 9 November 2026
Bids by: midday, Wednesday 18 November 2026

How bids are scored

Price 25% · Quality 75%

Quality matters most. You can win without being the cheapest.

Competition

Typical: a median of 4 bids per contract for this buyer (from 71 awards in the last 12 months).

Framework

Winning puts you on a list of suppliers the buyer can call on; it does not guarantee work. The £700,000 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.

What the notice says

Swansea Council is seeking to establish a Framework Agreement for the provision of accredited testing services to support safeguarding, social care, legal proceedings and associated statutory functions. The Framework will comprise two Lots: Lot 1 Drug and Alcohol Testing Services Lot 2 DNA Testing Services

Should I bid?

Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.

Can you prepare a good bid in 5 days?That is tight, especially for a first bid with this buyer.
Is a contract of about £700,000 a size you can deliver?Buyers often check that your turnover is comfortably larger than the yearly contract value.
Can you deliver in Wales?Check the delivery locations in the tender documents.
Is one of the 2 lots a good fit?You can usually bid for one lot without bidding for the others.
Can you meet what the notice mentions: Framework agreement?The tender documents will say exactly what is required.
Are you registered on the Central Digital Platform?You need to be registered to take part under the Procurement Act 2023.
The buyer says this suits small businesses.A good sign if you are an SME, but check the requirements.

How to bid

Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.
Send clarification questions before midday, Monday 9 November 2026.
Make sure your bid arrives before midday, Wednesday 18 November 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.

Lots

Lot	Trade	Value
Drug and Alcohol Testing Services 11 January 2027 to 10 January 2032 What this lot covers The Framework Providers will deliver drug and alcohol testing services, including: - Sample collection. - Chain of custody management. - Laboratory analysis. - Interpretation of results. - Preparation of professional reports. - Expert witness support where required.	Healthcare services	£350,000
DNA Testing Services 11 January 2027 to 10 January 2032 What this lot covers Sample collection. Identity verification. Chain of custody management. Laboratory analysis. Reporting of results. Expert witness support.	Healthcare services	£350,000

Timeline

28 August 2026Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 082172-2026
20 October 2026Tender notice · UK4, notice 099183-2026
11 November 2026Tender notice · UK4, notice 107123-2026

About the buyer

City & County of SwanseaLast 12 months

Procurements

252

Awards

137

Suppliers it has used most for healthcare

Interplay (Integrated Play and Leisure)1 contract
Local Aid1 contract
People Support Ltd1 contract
The Priory for Wales of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of ST. John of Jerusalem1 contract

All tenders and awards from City & County of Swansea

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From notice 082172-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 28 August 2026, last updated 11 November 2026. We last checked for changes on 11 November 2026.