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

Framework for the Provision of Forensic Testing

The Council of the City of Wakefield · Local authority

In brief

The Council of the City of Wakefield is looking for suppliers for care and healthcare work (Yorkshire and the Humber).

It is a framework worth up to £1,700,000 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 2 years, up to 4 years with extensions, starting 1 April 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

Bids by: midday, Wednesday 18 November 2026

How bids are scored

DNA Testing

Quality Method Statement Questions 60% · Price Assessment 30% · Social Value 10%

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

Drug and Alcohol Testing

Quality Method Statemenet Questions 60% · Price Assessment 30% · Social Value 10%

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

Competition

Typical: a median of 4 bids per contract for this buyer (from 5 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 £1,700,000 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.

The buyer expects to buy this again around April 2031.

What the notice says

The Council would like to establish a Closed Framework Agreement for the Provision of Forensic Testing. Forensic Testing (a term used to cover DNA, drug and alcohol testing) is used to help inform decision making, particularly with regard to the safeguarding of children and young people. The proposed Closed Framework Agreement will run for an initial period of 2 years with the option to extend, on two occasions, each for a 12-month period (2 + 1 + 1). The Closed Framework will be procured via the Open Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023 The Closed Framework Agreement will be split into 2 lots, with a maximum of 3 suppliers awarded to each lot: • Lot 1 = DNA Testing • Lot 2 = Drug and Alcohol Testing

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 £1,700,000 a size you can deliver?Buyers often check that your turnover is comfortably larger than the yearly contract value.
Can you deliver in Yorkshire and the Humber?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.
Make sure your bid arrives before midday, Wednesday 18 November 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.

Lots

Lot	Trade	Value
DNA Testing 1 April 2027 to 30 March 2029 What this lot covers DNA testing including sampling and collection where appropriate.	Social and domiciliary care, Healthcare services	£1,700,000
Drug and Alcohol Testing 1 April 2027 to 30 March 2029 What this lot covers Drug and alcohol testing includes sampling and collection, testing analysis and expert witness reports.	Social and domiciliary care, Healthcare services	£1,700,000

Timeline

9 October 2025Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 063764-2025
19 October 2026Tender notice · UK4, notice 098704-2026

About the buyer

The Council of the City of WakefieldLast 12 months

Procurements

122

Awards

101

Suppliers it has used most for care

Inner Circle Consulting Limited3 contracts
BMBC1 contract
Collis Mediation Limited1 contract
Creative Support Limited1 contract
Family Action1 contract

All tenders and awards from The Council of the City of Wakefield

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From notice 063764-2025 on Find a Tender, first published 9 October 2025, last updated 19 October 2026. We last checked for changes on 19 October 2026.