Provision of STI test Kits

Concepts

• birmingham
• sti test kits
• clinic testing
• home testing
• sti testing umbrella
• clinic and postal self-test sti screening kits
• sti
• testing
• kits
• test

Location

Description

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust has established a new model of care for Integrated Sexual Health Treatment & Prevention for the population of Birmingham & Solihull, which includes clinic and postal self-test STI screening kits and follow up Health Advisory support. The service, Umbrella, is a partnership, led by University Hospitals Birmingham, consisting of several community-based organisations, charities and health service providers, with the aim of improving sexual health and wellbeing of the people of Birmingham and Solihull locality. STI Testing Umbrella offers: • At Clinic testing: o Sample is undertaken within the Clinic. o Posted to UHB Labs where testing is undertaken. o Results by phone or text. o If positive results, follow up care and support provided. • At Home testing: o Criteria: Aged 16 or over and living in Birmingham or Solihull. o Sample request is submitted and undertaken within home environment o Posted to UHB Labs where testing is undertaken. o Results by phone or text. o If positive results, follow up care and support provided. What they test for: • Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV and Syphilis. • For men who have (or have had) sex with other men, a test for hepatitis B is also included.

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• None found

Legal Justification

The existing supplier, Blue Step Solutions Limited, has been directly awarded this contract as they are the only provider able to fully meet the requirements, as established through previous procurements. The original contract, awarded in 2021 via an open tender under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015), expired on 31 May 2025 after a two-year term with the option to extend for a further two years. Recent market testing with other STI kit providers confirmed that alternative suppliers are not viable. Competing providers were found to be at least 59% more expensive, with test prices ranging from £5 to £40 per kit, which presents a significant financial burden. In addition to the cost implications, these alternatives carry operational risks due to the niche and highly specialised nature of the service. Given the limited competition in this market, the substantial cost differential, and the risk to service continuity, a direct award to Blue Step Solutions Limited is the only option that ensures value for money and continuity of service provision.

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. **