Awarded contract

Tender For The Supply And Installation of a High-throughput Droplet-based Microbial Single Cell Screening And Sorting Platform

  • THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

F03: Contract award notice

Notice reference: 2024/S 000-002236

Published 23 January 2024, 12:24pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

Edgbaston

BIRMINGHAM

B152TT

Contact

Kseniya Samsonik

Email

k.samsonik@bham.ac.uk

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKG31 - Birmingham

Companies House

03478477

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/index.aspx

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Education


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Tender For The Supply And Installation of a High-throughput Droplet-based Microbial Single Cell Screening And Sorting Platform

Reference number

SC12029/23

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of a versatile platform for encapsulation of millions of single microbial cells in micrometer-sized liquid or gel-based droplets for high-throughput droplet sorting and selection. This platform will be operated by the Institute of Microbiology and Infection (IMI) at the University of Birmingham (UoB). The platform will support existing and planned research projects, and will lead to the establishment of a facility to extend analytical capability for UoB and its collaborators, and will increase the capacity for high-throughput cell sorting and screening, across the UK.

The platform should be able to rapidly produce large numbers of droplets, with the capability to adjust reagent input. For cell screening and sorting, the platform should be equipped with multiple lasers and fluorescence detection wavelengths, as well as forward-scattered light (FSC) and side-scattered light (SSC), due to the vast range of planned applications. The platform must be compatible with aseptic techniques for handling various microorganisms, of pathogenic and non-pathogenic varieties, and therefore be easy to clean.

The platform should ensure damage-free sorting of cell droplets, even with fragile cell types. The platform must have the capability to dispense a single droplet into microwell plates, and be able to sort cells with high purity (i.e. >90%) in high-throughput fashion (approx. 1000 events per second). The instrument should be capable of using a variety of sheath fluid types, and should be compatible with custom made or easily accessible consumables, including Fluorinate-oil.

This project may be funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) or;

- European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) or;

- Research Councils UK (RCUK), the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: £776,949.40

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKG31 - Birmingham

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of a versatile platform for encapsulation of millions of single microbial cells in micrometer-sized liquid or gel-based droplets for high-throughput droplet sorting and selection. This platform will be operated by the Institute of Microbiology and Infection (IMI) at the University of Birmingham (UoB). The platform will support existing and planned research projects, and will lead to the establishment of a facility to extend analytical capability for UoB and its collaborators, and will increase the capacity for high-throughput cell sorting and screening, across the UK.

The platform should be able to rapidly produce large numbers of droplets, with the capability to adjust reagent input. For cell screening and sorting, the platform should be equipped with multiple lasers and fluorescence detection wavelengths, as well as forward-scattered light (FSC) and side-scattered light (SSC), due to the vast range of planned applications. The platform must be compatible with aseptic techniques for handling various microorganisms, of pathogenic and non-pathogenic varieties, and therefore be easy to clean.

The platform should ensure damage-free sorting of cell droplets, even with fragile cell types. The platform must have the capability to dispense a single droplet into microwell plates, and be able to sort cells with high purity (i.e. >90%) in high-throughput fashion (approx. 1000 events per second). The instrument should be capable of using a variety of sheath fluid types, and should be compatible with custom made or easily accessible consumables, including Fluorinate-oil.

This project may be funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) or;

- European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) or;

- Research Councils UK (RCUK), the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: 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: Yes

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number: 2023/S 000-029279


Section five. Award of contract

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

5 January 2024

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 2

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Carl Stewart Limited

Birmingham

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKG31 - Birmingham
Companies House

03478477

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £776,949.40


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

University of Birmingham

Edgbaston

Country

United Kingdom