Digital Solution for Global Dispatch, Inventory Management and Sale of Biological Reference Materials

The Agency is seeking to let a contract for a three-year period, with two twelve-month optional extensions (for a total possible five-year contract term) to one Supplier.

The Agency is seeking to let a contract with a phased approach to deliverables. There will be a Phase I consisting of mandatory works, which, at the discretion of MHRA may lead-in to a second Phase of works.

The MHRA manufactures Biological Reference Materials (“standards”) that support the harmonisation of biological medicines and ensure the accuracy of diagnostic tests. Such standards are produced and distributed from the MHRA’s Science Campus based in Hertfordshire, UK and are distributed globally via the NIBSC website. To support this essential function, the Agency is seeking to replace its legacy dispatch system, Assist4, which is scheduled for retirement by December 2026.

The MHRA also produces British Pharmacopoeia Chemical Reference Substances (BPCRS) which is currently contracted out to LGC who also manage despatch through their in-house dispatch system and so not in scope of this requirement.

The immediate priority is to secure a modern, scalable dispatch solution that ensures continuity of logistics and shipping operations and integrates effectively with MHRA’s existing inventory system also known as “Ingenica 360” that is built on the MS dynamics platform.

While the dispatch functionality described above is the core requirement, the Agency strongly encourages modular solutions that can be extended in future phases to support inventory management, trade compliance, forecasting, courier booking, and integration with its e-commerce web-based platform. This modular approach aligns with MHRA’s long-term goal to streamline operations across inventory management, sales and dispatch, alongside its Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP) lifecycle.

MHRA remains open to innovative approaches that meet its evolving operational needs.