Request for Tender for the Provision of Laboratory Services to Support the National Wastewater Surveillance Program

The Department of Health Disability and Ageing (Department) seeks to engage laboratory services to support the delivery of the National Wastewater Surveillance Program (National Program) through the collection, testing, and analysis of wastewater samples, at up to 50 sites across Australia. Laboratories will be required to undertake surveillance for the following priority pathogens: SARS-CoV-2, influenza A (including H5), influenza B, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and poliovirus (refer to Section 2.8 of the RFT for further details). They must also have the capacity to undertake WWS for emerging threats, such as Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) or monkeypox virus (MPXV) at minimal additional cost if needed.

The successful Tenderer/s will be required to maintain sufficient national capability and capacity to scale up activities when required. Laboratories must be equipped to efficiently process a high volume of samples in the frequency specified in the RFT. They will have established relationships with utilities and will work closely with them and relevant stakeholders to coordinate sample collection. They will also contribute to the development of technical methods for population-level WWS, and support the implementation of consistent wastewater testing and analytical methodologies. The services may be provided by a single laboratory or a consortium. A consortium approach is encouraged to foster collaboration and capacity building across laboratories.

The National Program is anticipated to commence in the second half of 2025 and will be piloted for 2.5 to 3 years, with ongoing evaluation to inform decisions on the continuation of the program.