UKHSA_Scientific_Provision of Oral Fluid Collection Devices

Award to Malvern Medical Developments via Lot 1 - Diagnostic Goods and Services of the National Microbiology Framework for the provision of Oracol and Oracol+ fluid collection devices.

These collection devices will be used for the collection of crevicular fluid for laboratory processing and testing for diseases. The procurement of these oral fluid collection devices will support the work of the National Infections Service (NIS) and the Schools Infection Survey (SIS) which enables further research into the direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and provide a vehicle to facilitate longer-term health surveillance among children and young people within the school environment and the wider community.

The Oralcol and Oracol+ collection devices have an established history within the scientific community of being a reliable oral fluid collection method for testing for the presence of a range of pathogens. The Oracol+ has a unique feature where the swab does not need to be handled by the laboratory during processing by allowing the fluid to be centrifuged directly into the attached microtube.

Malvern Medical Developments Ltd is the only manufacturer of oral fluid collection devices that have been validated by the laboratory and used in the previous School Infection Survey. The devices have recently been evaluated by the Oral Fluid team in the Virus Reference Department at Colindale and have shown to be effective in the collection and recovery of circulating antibodies in oral fluids from participants. The Oracol range is particularly well designed for use in the community where the swab is sent incorporated into a pack so the saliva collection can take place in the home and these devices have been recommended as the preferred oral fluid collection device for studies involving children in the UK.

The value of the contract will range between £542,000.000 - £782,000.000 (excluding VAT) based on an initial 3-year contract (with the option to extend for a further period of up to 2 years).