Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road
Manchester
M20 4BX
Contact
Mr Chris Robson
Telephone
+44 1614468531
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKD3 - Greater Manchester
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://procontract.due-north.com/
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://procontract.due-north.com/
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Proton range verification detectors
Reference number
DN591219
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 38431000 - Detection apparatus
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
LaBr3 detectors (crystal + PMT+ voltage divider) required to measure the prompt gammas emitted during proton beam therapy in order to verify proton range
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £130,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKD3 - Greater Manchester
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The PRECISE proton therapy research group at the University of Manchester and the Christie NHS Foundation Trust is developing a system to verify range during proton beam therapy treatments. Range uncertainty is arguably one of the biggest challenges in proton therapy. Range uncertainty arises from a number of sources: imaging, dosimetry, stopping powers, however, the largest uncertainty is always the patient. Patient setup, highly heterogeneous tissue, implants, or bone/tissue interfaces as well as anatomical changes during treatment can all influence proton range and thus, treatment outcomes. The full potential of proton beam therapy, particularly when there are organs-at-risk in the vicinity of the tumour, cannot be exploited unless these uncertainties are reduced or mitigated.
One possible method of determining proton range is through the detection of the prompt gamma-rays that are emitted naturally during therapy. It has been shown experimentally that the maximum intensity of these prompt gamma rays correlates well with the Bragg peak and end-of-range. By detecting these prompt gamma-rays and determining their origin the proton beam range could be established.
The system being developed is based on an array of scintillator detectors coupled with an image reconstruction algorithm based on gamma-ray coincidences. The detectors of choice are LaBr3 scintillators which exhibit good energy and timing resolution for the detection of the high energy gamma-rays emitted. The typical gamma-ray energy range of interest is 2 – 8 MeV so large crystal, 38.1 mm (1.5”) diameter and 50.8 mm (2”) long, detectors are required in order to obtain full energy photo peaks. As the reconstruction algorithm utilises gamma-ray coincidences, the detectors need to have an energy resolution of 3.5% or less at 662 keV and a coincidence resolving time of 0.5 ns or less. Ideally we are also looking for the detectors to have an anode pulse rise time of 0.8 ns or less and an electron transit time of 16 ns or less.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
End date
31 December 2022
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
24 February 2022
Local time
4:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
3 March 2022
Local time
4:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Wilmslow Road
Manchester
M20 4BX
Country
United Kingdom