Specimen Transport. The Bidder will provide a transport system for the safe and secure transit of samples from all authorised sites as may be specified within England and Wales back to the testing laboratory. The arrangements will be in line with International Aviation Transport Association (IATA) and postal regulations pertaining to the samples carried. Evidence of the safety and security measures taken (including Chain of Custody) must be submitted with the tender documentation. Laboratory Organisation The laboratory must be accredited to (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) UKAS for the analysis of drugs of abuse and be working to the European laboratory guidelines for legally defensible workplace drug testing. Suitably qualified personnel must staff the laboratory. The Laboratory must keep records that establish the individual’s competency for the position(s) held. All laboratory personnel must have received training in Health and Safety issues, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations and other relevant legislation. The laboratory must have in place a company drugs policy that has drug testing as part of it. The Authority a reserve the right to carry out basic criminal record checks on personnel directly involved in handling, analysis and reporting of samples. A complete set of CV’s (including up to date training records) is to be provided for all key personnel listed as part of the tender documentation. Laboratory areas for sample processing, analysis and storage must be secure, with access strictly controlled. The Authority will be informed routinely of any changes to laboratory personnel. Expert Witnesses The provider must make available the services of expert witnesses who will be required to attend disciplinary hearings and Judicial Review when called to do so. Details and references of any court or tribunal appearances made by proposed expert witnesses must be included with the proposal.
Specimen Transport. Contractor must:
Specimen Transport. The Supplier will provide a transport system for the safe and secure transit of samples from all prison establishments or other locations as may be specified within England and Wales back to the testing laboratory. The arrangements will have to be in line with International Aviation Transport Association (IATA) and postal regulations pertaining to the samples carried. Evidence of the safety and security measures taken (including Chain of Custody) must be submitted with the tender documentation. A parcel tracking system will be in place. The transport of specimens can be provided through a third party but the proposal must include details of the entire supply chain and how all third party relationships will be managed, including the extent to which contracts provide back to back provisions. The Supplier must ensure that prisons are able to meet their MDT requirements in full by arranging collections on request. Each prison establishment will require one collection per week, on the same day each week. Where in a particular week the collection day is a recognised Bank Holiday, samples can be collected on the next working day. Alternatively, suppliers may offer an on-demand collection service, whereby samples are collected within two working days of a request from a prison. Requests may be made between one and three times a week, depending on the size of the prison establishment. Samples will be collected from the front gate or reception of the prison. This may involve some delay whilst the package is brought to the gate. Additions or deletions may be made to the list of collection points during the lifetime of the contract. A period of no more than 48 hours will be allowed for new collection points to be in operation. Please provide a detailed protocol from point of collection to receipt or delivery of sample at the laboratory, including timescales.
