Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Genomics England
Dawson Hall, Charterhouse Square
London
EC1M 6BQ
Contact
Paul Nicholson
paul.nicholson@genomicsengland.co.uk
Telephone
+44 2078825030
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - UNITED KINGDOM
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Health Technology
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) Long Read Equipment & Consumables
Reference number
GeL-SC-236-21
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 33696500 - Laboratory reagents
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
A large-scale Long Read Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) project using Oxford Nanopore Technologies long read technology in order to evaluate its potential for clinical use in cancer.
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: £2,000,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 33140000 - Medical consumables
- 33190000 - Miscellaneous medical devices and products
- 33696200 - Blood-testing reagents
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - UNITED KINGDOM
Main site or place of performance
Hinxton, Cambridge
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Genomics England has a Spending Review (SR) objective involving a large-scale long read whole genome sequencing (WGS) project.
In order to deliver this long read WGS project Genomics England have engaged and are proposing to partner with Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited (ONT) to maximise its long read technology at scale to evaluate its potential for clinical use in cancer. This project requires sequencing at scale of around 2,000 germline:tumour pairs over the next 12 month period. A beneficial commercial agreement that represents the unique nature of the engagement in terms of technological development and value has been agreed between the parties to deliver the scope of this project in its entirety. ONT occupy a unique position in the sequencing market globally in terms of read length and throughput technology that makes this project viable.
The primary sequencing instrument within this project is the Promethion P48 consuming Flowcell reagents and other associated consumables. A combination of these attributes will deliver the scaling required for the project and the commercial agreement between the parties ensures successful sequencing objectives for clinical use in cancer, within the 12 month SR period.
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
Negotiated without a prior call for competition
- The products involved are manufactured purely for the purpose of research, experiment, study or development
- The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- absence of competition for technical reasons
Explanation:
The Contracting Authority (i) has a legal personality; (ii) is mainly funded by the Department of Health and Social Care; and (iii) has been established for the specific purpose of meeting needs in the general interest and does not have an industrial or commercial character and therefore meets the definition of a "body governed by public law" under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("PCR"). The PCR covers "public contracts" which means contracts for pecuniary interest which have as their object the execution of works, the supply of products or the provision of services. The Contract is a goods or services contract under PCR, therefore, caught by the PCR and bound to follow public procurement rules.
Regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) PCR describes the single operator exclusion and is the premise for this award without prior publication. This specific exclusion relates to a demonstration that only Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited could deliver the goods and services described for technical reasons and reasons of scalability, where the goods and services cannot be obtained from any other economic operator to sufficiently meet the volume throughput of long read whole genome sequencing. The scope of requirements in this notice are the basis for this assessment.
For technical reasons, it has been determined that Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited are the only provider able to meet the justified requirements set out. Furthermore, they are also the only organisation able to deliver the requirement at the scale specified. Further details are provided within this notice and should be read in conjunction with this explanation.
The Contracting Authority will enter into a contract with Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited following the conclusion of a minimum 10-day standstill period from the date of issue of this notice. The 10-day standstill period will end on Thursday 25th March 2021 at 11.59pm GMT, enabling a contract to be signed on Friday 26th March 2021.
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/concession
Contract No
GeL-SC-236-21
Title
Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) Long Read Equipment & Consumables
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15 March 2021
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited
Oxford
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - UNITED KINGDOM
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot/concession: £2,000,000
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £2,000,000
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract/lot/concession is likely to be subcontracted
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The High Court
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom