Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
DoJ Forensic Science Northern Ireland (DoJ FSNI)
c/o Construction & Procurement Delivery, Clare House, 303 Airport Road West
Belfast
BT3 9ED
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKN0D - Antrim and Newtownabbey
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/topics/forensic-science/forensic-science-northern-ireland
Buyer's address
https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/topics/procurement
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
DoJ FSNI Supply and Delivery of Extraction Kits and Consumables
Reference number
DOJDAC 30/20
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 33954000 - Biological evidence collection kits
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The DNA Unit of Forensic Science Northern Ireland (FSNI) is currently validated under Home Office Regulations for the processing, sequencing and profiling of samples for the recovery of
Human DNA profiles, to judicial standards. This provides the basis upon which FSNI is permitted to upload DNA Profiles to the UK National DNA Database (NDNADB). As a UK Forensic Science
Provider (FSP) customer expectations are that FSNI be validated with the UK Home Office for the upload and searching of DNA profiles.
FSNI are required to conduct adequate testing and monitoring of current processes via scientific validation to standards set and approved by UKAS. UKAS approve FSNI under ISO17025 for
Testing Laboratories. Without the Accreditation of UKAS, FSNI would not be permitted to conduct the current DNA processes and FSNI would no longer be in a position to meet customer demands.
The DNA Unit at FSNI require Extraction Kits and Consumables for the extraction of DNA from various sample types (blood, semen, saliva, hair and skin cells).
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: £200,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN0D - Antrim and Newtownabbey
Main site or place of performance
FSNI, Seapark, Carrickfergus, Co Antrim
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The DNA Unit at FSNI require Extraction Kits and Consumables for the extraction of DNA from various sample types (blood, semen, saliva, hair and skin cells).
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
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- absence of competition for technical reasons
Explanation:
The DNA Unit of Forensic Science Northern Ireland (FSNI) is currently validated under Home Office Regulations for the processing, sequencing and profiling of samples for the recovery of Human DNA profiles, to judicial standards. This provides the basis upon which FSNI is permitted to upload DNA Profiles to the UK National DNA Database (NDNADB). As a UK Forensic Science Provider (FSP) customer expectations are that FSNI be validated with the UK Home Office for the upload and searching of DNA profiles.
The Home Office require FSNI to hold Accreditation to current standards. The Home Office require all DNA suppliers, wishing to avail of NDNADB functions, to be Accredited by the United
Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). UKAS carry out inspection, testing and trials of Service Provision and Quality Assurance on behalf of the Home Office, thereby, giving the Home Office the confidence in FSNI processes and work standards to the expected level to meet Judicial
Standards.
FSNI are required to conduct adequate testing and monitoring of current processes via scientific validation to standards set and approved by UKAS. UKAS approve FSNI under ISO17025 for
Testing Laboratories. Without the Accreditation of UKAS, FSNI would not be permitted to conduct the current DNA processes and FSNI would no longer be in a position to meet customer demands.
The DNA Unit at FSNI have validated [WITHHELD] Extraction Kits and Consumables for the extraction of DNA from various sample types (blood, semen, saliva, hair and skin cells). This validation has been accredited by UKAS as have the procedures for extraction. These procedures are covered by the Quality Management System at FSNI and are subject to both internal audit and method witness by UKAS during surveillance and re-accreditation visits. As such [WITHHELD] extraction kits
and consumables provide a highly robust platform for the recovery of extracted DNA.
[WITHHELD] Extraction kits and consumables are approved by the Home Office as meeting the required standards under NDNADB requirements. This Direct Award Contract (DAC) will allow FSNI to purchase Extraction Kits and Consumables directly from [WITHHELD, who] are the sole supplier and hold Intellectual Property Rights to these kits and consumables. By purchasing these kits FSNI will obtain a License Agreement under which FSNI will be allowed to utilise the data recovered for Judicial Purposes.
FSNI have been processing DNA Profiles using [WITHHELD] for a number of years. It is a requirement that samples be matched between individuals, crime scenes and items. FSNI
will not be in a position to use alternative kits for extraction as sample will no longer be reproduced to allow for such matching. Any alternative extraction kit would utilise different chemistries and the results could not be matched between a sample recovered using [WITHHELD] kits versus an
alternative extraction kit.
An extraction kit produces a DNA extract, which is a bulk sample of DNA, the quantity of DNA present will be dependent on many factors (including sample type, age and substrate). In order
to provide a match under DNA requirements the sample must been seen as having been extracted and processed using similar protocols and chemistries. FSNI must be able to match
sample taken today with samples taken many years ago, and potentially into the future.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
DOJDAC 30/20
Title
DoJ FSNI Supply and Delivery of Extraction Kits and Consumables
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
17 February 2021
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
As per Regulation 50(6)(a) - information withheld for security reasons
As per Regulation 50(6)(a) - information withheld for security reasons
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £200,000
Total value of the contract/lot: £200,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
Please note that information relating to contractors engaged by the Northern Ireland Department of Justice,and associated bodies, is not published in any publicly accessible forum or publication. This is to protect such contractors, whose security and safety could be threatened by dissident terrorist organisations still active in Northern Ireland if their details became known. This is consistent with Regulation 50(6)(a).
The estimated contract value is a broad estimate only and includes additional quantum for unforeseen demand and to future proof. There is no guarantee of any level of business under this contract. The estimate is not deemed to be a condition of contract nor a guarantee of minimum demand or uptake. No compensation will be payable to a contractor should the actual demand be less than that stated.
The successful contractor's performance on this contract will be managed as per specification and regularlymonitored (see Procurement Guidance Note 01/12 Contract Management: https://www.financeni.
Gov.uk/sites/default/ files/publications/dfp/PGN-01012-Contract-Management-Principles-Procedures-25-Sept-2017.PDF). Contractors not delivering on contract requirements is a serious matter. It means the public Purse is not getting what it is paying for. If a contractor fails to reach satisfactory levels of contract performance they will be given a specified time to improve. If, after the specified time, they still fail to reach satisfactory levelsof contract performance, the matter will be escalated to senior management in Construction and Procurement Delivery for further action. If this occurs and their performance still does not improve to satisfactory levels within the specified period, it may be regarded as an act of grave professional misconduct and they may beissued with a notice of written warning and notice of unsatisfactory performance and this contract may beterminated.The issue of a notice of written warning and notice of unsatisfactory performance will result in the Contractor being excluded from all procurement competitions being undertaken by Centres of Procurement Expertise on behalf of bodies covered by the Northern Ireland Procurement Policy for a period of up to 3 yearsfrom the date of issue of the notice.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
See VI.4.3 / Review procedure
See VI.4.3 / Review procedure
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
The UK does not have any special review body with responsibility for appeal/mediation procedures in public procurement competitions. Instead, any challenges are dealt with by the High Court, Commercial Division, to which proceedings may be issued regarding alleged breaches of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.