Purpose

A contract renewal procurement is required for
the coroner's service for the provision of forensic toxicology
services which looks to establish whether there is the presence of
chemicals, such as drugs and poisons, in the death of an individual
and whether any such chemicals were a contributing factor in the
death. Analysis from such investigations may subsequently be used
as evidence in a court of law. 
 
LCC is the relevant authority for HM Senior
Coroner for Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen. Blackpool Council
is the relevant authority for the HM Senior Coroner for Blackpool
and Fylde and is not included in the scope of this procurement.
 
It is proposed to run an Above Threshold Open
tender procedure under Public Contract Regulations 2015 (PCR15) to
establish a new contract with one service provider for a two-year
term with the option to extend for up to a further two years. The
new contract will commence 1st July 2025. The estimated value of
the contract is £500,000 over the four year term.
 
A contract is currently in place with
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The contract was
awarded following an Above Threshold Open tender procedure in line
with PCR15 and commenced on 1st July 2021 with an initial term of
two years and the option to extend for up to a further two years.
The current contract is due to expire 30th June 2025.

Content

Paul Bond, Head of Governance, on behalf of
Heloise MacAndrew, Director of Law and Governance, took a decision
to commence a procurement process to establish a contract for the
provision of forensic toxicology services, with a service
commencement date of 1st July 2025.