FOI Ref: FOI/2021/2969
You asked
I understand PCR testing for the COVID-19 Infection Survey (CIS) is carried out by a supplier on behalf of the ONS.
1 Who is the supplier?
2 How much has this contracted supplier cost the ONS from the start 26 April 2020 to date?
3 How much have the test kits cost and cost of those analyses from the start April 2020 to date?
4 Approx how many persons are employed each day in the UK to do this work?
5 How many £50 vouchers are used each week
6 How many £25 vouchers are used each week
We said
Thank you for your request. Please see the following answers to your questions:
1) Who is the supplier?
IQVIA Ltd.
2 How much has this contracted supplier cost the ONS from the start 26 April 2020 to date?
Please see the following link to the payments we make to our suppliers over the value of £25,000: Payments to suppliers over £25,000 - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk). Our IQVIA contract is included on row 439 of the May 2021 spreadsheet.
3) How much have the test kits cost and cost of those analyses from the start April 2020 to date?
The cost of the testing kits used by our supplier is exempt under Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), as disclosure would prejudice the commercial interests of a third party and the ONS. The third party and their contractual counterparts would be open to commercial prejudice from the disclosure of the requested information, as others would be able to use this information to the suppliers' disadvantage at future tender exercises. This would jeopardise their ability to experience open and fair competition and to obtain higher levels of income in the future. Further, our commercial interests would be prejudiced, as causing this detrimental impact to our suppliers would make other companies unwilling to work with us in the future. This would reduce the pool of suppliers with which we could negotiate in the future, which would mean that we would need to obtain services at a less advantageous price.
The use of this exemption is subject to the public interest test.
We recognise arguments in favour of transparency and accountability regarding the suppliers contracted with public authorities. We have considered this when answering Q2 and, as a result, have made the value of our contract with IQVIA publicly available. This adheres to the inherent public interest in the spending of public money. Considering this, we do not believe there is any further public interest in releasing the value of our supplier's contracts with other companies.
We should also consider the public interest in our own capability to negotiate and to compete in a commercial environment. Damage to the trust and confidence of our suppliers reduces the pool of suppliers with which we can negotiate, leading to a disincentive for us to be offered a fair price for services and a reduction in the quality of services offered. This would be detrimental to the preservation of public funds and the quality of service received by members of the public. Therefore, this damage to our reputation directly and negatively impacts the public.
Therefore, the public interest in withholding this information outweighs the public benefit of release.
4) Approx how many persons are employed each day in the UK to do this work?
Approx. 2,200 from IQVIA (and all partners).
5) How many £50 vouchers are used each week?
Over a four-week period from 1 August 2021 - September 2021 on average there were 1,862 £50 vouchers issued.
6) How many £25 vouchers are used each week?
Over a four-week period from 1 August 2021 - September 2021 on average there were 77,744 £25 vouchers issued.