Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Queen' University Belfast
University Road, Belfast, BT7 1NN
Belfast
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKN06 - Belfast
Internet address(es)
Main address
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
QUB/2503/24 Contract for Supply, Delivery, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of a TMA Arrayer
Reference number
QUB/2503/24
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 33100000 - Medical equipments
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The Queen's University Genomics Core Technology Unit (GCTU) processes tissue samples for spatial transcriptomic analysis. This is a cutting-edge technique whereby researchers can determine the precise location of gene expression within the tissue context. To allow us to process archival tissue samples e.g. biobanked samples, or precious samples in a cost-effective way, we require instrumentation that will allow us to create tumour microarrays (TMAs). A TMA contains many small representative tissue samples from tens to hundreds of different patient/animal samples assembled on a single histological slide, and therefore allows high throughput analysis of multiple specimens at the same time. This also enables cost-effective analysis as multiple samples can be processed on a single slide, which is important for us to offer as a core service. By purchasing such instrumentation, this would enable the GCTU to support large scale studies, increase our throughput and decrease costs for users.
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: £219,737
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 33100000 - Medical equipments
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN06 - Belfast
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The GCTU processes tissue samples for spatial transcriptomic analysis. This is a cutting-edge technique whereby researchers can determine the precise location of gene expression within the tissue context. To allow us to process archival tissue samples e.g. biobanked samples, or precious samples in a cost-effective way, we require instrumentation that will allow us to create tumour microarrays (TMAs). A TMA contains many small representative tissue samples from tens to hundreds of different patient/animal samples assembled on a single histological slide, and therefore allows high throughput analysis of multiple specimens at the same time. This also enables cost-effective analysis as multiple samples can be processed on a single slide, which is important for us to offer as a core service. By purchasing such instrumentation, this would enable the GCTU to support large scale studies, increase our throughput and decrease costs for service users.To do this we require an instrument that:1) Has changeable drills/tools that will allow us to work with both Human and Animal tissues in line with HTA requirements.2) Being able to process a large number of blocks (>70) per run to ensure maximal number of sample cores can be included per TMA and offer access to our service for high throughput projects such as those involving biobanked samples.3) Minimal consumable requirements to keep costs low for operation.4) Minimal service requirements to reduce system down time.5) Ability to capture cores in PCR tubes, rather than recipient block, for additional downstream usage flexibility such as next-generation sequencing and/or qPCR studies.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical Requirements / Weighting: 80%
Price - Weighting: 20%
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: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2024/S 000-000954
four.2.9) Information about termination of call for competition in the form of a prior information notice
The contracting authority will not award any further contracts based on the above prior information notice
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
QUB/2503/24
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
19 February 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Shandon Diagnostics Ltd t/a Epredia
Runcorn
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKD63 - Cheshire West and Chester
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £219,737
Total value of the contract/lot: £219,737
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Queen's University Belfast
Belfast
Country
United Kingdom