DFID are funding development and scale up of SARS CoV 2 diagnostic test/assay along with a battery-operated device to enable the tests to be carried out easily in developing countries. Due to the extreme urgency to develop and validate Covid-19 testing kits, The UK Government has authorised the procurement of these services through a direct award due to extreme urgency, this is permissible under current public procurement regulations using regulation 32(2)(c).

The UK is a leading donor in coronavirus research for testing and developing a vaccine. In response to the urgent global need for Covid-19 testing DFID are funding the development and scale up of a SARS CoV 2 diagnostic test/assay and an independent, battery-operated device which will enable testing to be carried out easily in developing countries. Due to the extreme urgency to develop and validate Covid-19 testing kits, the UK Government has authorised the procurement of these services through a direct award. This is permissible under current public procurement regulations using regulation 32(2)(c).

The programme of work aims to develop and validate a Covid-19 assay and a prototype battery operated device suitable for use in developing countries, with the work divided into three phases. Phase 1 (GBP 3.2 M) is to validate and manufacture up to 2 million molecular tests for Covid-19 which can be processed by existing PCR laboratory-based machines. Phase 2 and Phase 3 and any associated research and development will be managed by FIND (Foundation for Innovative Diagnostics). These phases will include the design, prototype and scale of the laboratory-independent, battery-operated device and associated C-19 cartridge test, removing the need for laboratory-based PCR machines and allowing rapid point-of-care testing, delivering an important primary benefit to the developing world.