CAF339-22 DNA paternity testing

The procurement contact named on the official notice.

CAFCASS is seeking a provider for DNA testing.

The Provider must be on the Government list of accredited testing laboratories at the time of tender submission and throughout the life of the contract.

Details of how to obtain accreditation are available at: https://www.gov.uk/get-laboratory-accreditation-to-carry-out-paternity-tests As a national service, the Authority has a network of offices staffed by Family Court Advisors who routinely meet with children and families as part of their case work.

At these offices suitably trained Cafcass officers [as set out in The Blood Tests (Evidence of Paternity) (Amendment) Regulations 2015] will supervise the self-collection of samples with mouth swabs.

For the purposes of this specification this is known as ‘Pathway A’. ‘Pathway A has previously been the Authority’s standard approach to testing. ‘Pathway B’ where the Provider is responsible for sample collection has also previously been used for exceptional use.

The Authority is now seeking a model where either pathway can be utilised depending on service requirements.

The Authority will retain responsibility for determining the appropriate pathway per sample collection.

The successful provider must have the capacity and capability to make available sample collection through their own network of sample collectors for use as agreed with the Authority.

Please note a sampler (sample collector) is defined as a person trained by the tester (provider), or under arrangements made by the tester (provider) as set out in The Blood Tests (Evidence of Paternity) (Amendment) Regulations 2015].