RFI NHSE Covid-19 Vaccination Programme Distribution

The Authority is seeking to gather information and feedback from the Medicines Wholesale distribution market, as recognised experts, to gauge its future logistics and distribution strategy for COVID-19 vaccines. The next phase of the Vaccination Programme needs to consider approaches for the warehousing and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and consider whether a future COVID-19 vaccines distribution model could be aligned to the current model for the distribution of seasonal influenza vaccines.

The COVID-19 vaccination programme is being led by science in determining the need (if any) for Autumn booster vaccines; any distribution and warehousing model would therefore be dependent on the outcome of such scientific and policy decisions. The current distribution model, established in late 2020, utilises appropriately licenced Specialist Pharmaceutical Logistics providers because of their geographic reach and special handling expertise, including the ability to manage cold chain products and "pack down" under their Manufacturing Licenses where required. However, as the initial phases of the COVID-19 vaccination programme come to an end, the Authority is seeking insight from the market to aid the Authority in developing an optimal working model for the on-going Warehousing and Distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. It is expected, but not confirmed, that the Authority would wish to re-procure Specialist Logistics Providers to support future vaccination programmes.

Therefore, the Authority is, by way of this prior information notice, seeking Expressions of Interest from suppliers who may wish to participate in the Distribution and Warehousing of COVID-19 Vaccinations in England. The purpose of this Expression of Interest is:

1. To gather market intelligence on the market's capability and capacity to manage vaccines and distribute to designated sites within England; and 2. To request feedback that will help the Authority in the future design of its response to the on-going delivery of Covid-19 Vaccines.

Therefore, suppliers are kindly requested to respond by 5pm on the 16th April 2021.

Following receipt of the responses, the Authority intends to commence a procurement during the course of the next 3 months. The invitation to tender will be the subject of a separate notice and it is that notice to which potential suppliers will need to respond at the appropriate time.

Please note this is not a PQQ, this is pre-tender market engagement questionnaire. Economic operators submitting this questionnaire will neither be assessed or down selected based on the content of their response.

Whilst it is anticipated that expenditure under any forthcoming procurement will be in the region of £40m GBP for this contract award, this is approximate only at this stage and is based on the Authority extending the term of the agreement(s) from 6 months to a total of 18 months.

Additional information: Please register on the EU Supply Portal https://uk.eu-supply.com/login.asp.