The procurement is being led by the Home Office which will act as the Contracting Authority in putting in place a National Framework Agreement for use by UK public sector bodies identified at VI.3 (and any future successors to these organisations), which include Central Government Departments and their Arm's Length Bodies and Agencies, and Non Departmental Public Bodies.

The above Public Sector Bodies have a need for DNA (PACE) Sampling Kits (referring to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984) which are used for taking DNA samples from subjects arrested or detained for recordable offences.

Section 64 of PACE, as amended, allows samples to be taken from all persons arrested and detained in police custody in respect of a recordable offence, and for the DNA profiles obtained from these samples to be added to the National DNA Database (NDNAD). The samples are usually buccal/cheek scrapes or pulled hairs. Persons who are not suspects may also volunteer to provide samples to assist in police investigations and to provide written consent for the DNA profiles from these to be added to the NDNAD. Police Elimination Database (PED) samples are also collected.

The Home Office will enter into a Framework Agreement called the National Framework Agreement for DNA Sampling Kits with the winning bidder and the Agencies will call off their requirements using the terms and conditions under the Framework.

There is no guarantee of volumes of work under this Framework and the successful bidder must be able to provide all 3 types of DNA Sampling Kits specified within this procurement activity.