Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) Outsourced Product Testing

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) expects to publish a contract opportunity relating to its requirement for outsourced product testing for the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). DBT intends to introduce a multi-year, multi-lot framework for the provision of various types of testing across multiple years.

DBT are requesting Expressions of Interest ("EOI") pertaining to this requirement. Please email: commercialbpo@businessandtrade.gov.uk by 10th January 2025 in order to register your interest.

At this stage, DBT wishes to understand the size and capability of the supply market.

Information that it gathers will be used to refine requirements to ensure they are fit for suppliers to deliver against. Meetings will also be held directly with interested participants at a future date, subject to capacity.

The procurement is likely to entail a multi year contract opportunity relating to various categories of testing. At this stage, DBT cannot confirm the lotting structure in detail, but it is anticipated that the procurement will involve lots once defined.

These will contain, but not necessarily be limited to:

• Construction product testing including resistance and reaction to fire

• Product safety testing in general covering testing of products such as electrical equipment, gas appliances, toys, furniture, PPE, batteries etc...

• Energy efficiency testing covering Eco-design and noise.

• Chemical testing including cosmetics and restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS)

• Cyber security testing covering Product Security and Telecommunication Infrastructure (PSTI) and Smart ChargePoint regulations.

DBT is also considering the opportunity to use the new Open Framework permissions permitted by The Procurement Act 2023. At this stage, it is perceived that the framework could be opened at least one in the early years of up to an 8 year framework. If introducing an 8 year open framework, the value of the opportunity is estimated at £35,000,000. The full specification shall be provided with the tender documents, and the intention of this Prior Information Notice is to help engage with suppliers in order to determine an appropriate approach before sharing.

It should be noted that DBT makes no commitment to procure these services and may decide to not progress this any further following this engagement with the market. DBT reserves the right to change any information contained within the Early Engagement documentation at any time, and Potential Suppliers rely upon any information provided entirely at their own risk.

Suppliers are strongly encouraged to read the text at the following link to gain a full understanding of the role of the enforcement services within Government:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-regulation-enforcement-services