Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Finance & Procurement Business Unit, Wards 17 & 18, Trafford Hospital
Trafford
M41 5SL
Contact
Beckie Wiltshire
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKD3 - Greater Manchester
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
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
LABScreen Testing Kits, LINKSEQ Testing Kits and LABType Typing Kits
Reference number
C334057
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 33696000 - Reagents and contrast media
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is awarding a contract to VH Bio for the provision of LABScreen Testing Kits, LINKSEQ Testing Kits and LABType Typing Kits.
The Trust currently utilises One Lambda HLA antibody screening (LABScreen) testing kits for use with LABScan3D analysers, which have been previously procured, to detect and define HLA specific antibodies. The LABScreen kits are a trademark of One Lambda which are routinely used to screen patient serum samples in the pre- and post-transplant setting for both solid organ and haematopoietic progenitor stem cell transplant recipients. The LABScreen kits are the most reliable and informative kit available, and this kit is needed for consistency with longitudinal testing. VH Bio provide the Trust with technical support for the products. The Transplant Laboratory has been accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service for performing HLA antibody detection and definition using the LABScreen testing kits with the LABScan3D testing platform.
The Trust currently utilises LINKSEQ testing kits for use with LightCycler 480 ii and Quantstudio 7 Flex real-time PCR instruments for HLA typing, which have been previously procured. The LINKSEQ kits are the only compatible SSP kits for the LightCycler 480 II and Quantstudio 7 Flex real-time PCR instruments for HLA typing of DNA tests undertaken. The LINKSEQ wipe tests are required for quality control and are a requirement of accreditation standards. The Transplant Laboratory has been accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service for performing HLA typing using the LINKSEQ testing kits with the Light Cycler 480 II and Quantstudio 7 Flex real-time PCR instruments.
The Trust currently utilises LABTYPE HLA and KIR typing kits and ancillary reagents for use with the LUMINEX LABScan 3D instruments, which have been previously procured. The LABType kits and ancillary reagents are compatible with the LUMINEX LABScan 3D instruments for DNA tests undertaken. The Transplant Laboratory has been accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service for performing HLA typing using the LABType kits with the LIMINEX LABScan 3D system.
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: £2,218,515
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 33696000 - Reagents and contrast media
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKD33 - Manchester
Main site or place of performance
Manchester
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is awarding a contract to VH Bio for the provision of LABScreen Testing Kits, LINKSEQ Testing Kits and LABType Typing Kits.
The Trust currently utilises One Lambda HLA antibody screening (LABScreen) testing kits for use with LABScan3D analysers, which have been previously procured, to detect and define HLA specific antibodies. The LABScreen kits are a trademark of One Lambda which are routinely used to screen patient serum samples in the pre- and post-transplant setting for both solid organ and haematopoietic progenitor stem cell transplant recipients. The LABScreen kits are the most reliable and informative kit available, and this kit is needed for consistency with longitudinal testing. VH Bio provide the Trust with technical support for the products. The Transplant Laboratory has been accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service for performing HLA antibody detection and definition using the LABScreen testing kits with the LABScan3D testing platform.
The Trust currently utilises LINKSEQ testing kits for use with LightCycler 480 ii and Quantstudio 7 Flex real-time PCR instruments for HLA typing, which have been previously procured. The LINKSEQ kits are the only compatible SSP kits for the LightCycler 480 II and Quantstudio 7 Flex real-time PCR instruments for HLA typing of DNA tests undertaken. The LINKSEQ wipe tests are required for quality control and are a requirement of accreditation standards. The Transplant Laboratory has been accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service for performing HLA typing using the LINKSEQ testing kits with the Light Cycler 480 II and Quantstudio 7 Flex real-time PCR instruments.
The Trust currently utilises LABTYPE HLA and KIR typing kits and ancillary reagents for use with the LUMINEX LABScan 3D instruments, which have been previously procured. The LABType kits and ancillary reagents are compatible with the LUMINEX LABScan 3D instruments for DNA tests undertaken. The Transplant Laboratory has been accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service for performing HLA typing using the LABType kits with the LIMINEX LABScan 3D system.
As such, a negotiated procedure without prior publication will be followed and is believed to be justified under section 32(2) (b) (ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 - 'competition is absent for technical reasons'.
A VEAT notice was published on the Find a Tender Service on 12th February 2025. Reference: 2025/S 000-004759.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is a able to extend the contract for a further 24 months in 12 month increments.
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
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 Trust currently utilises One Lambda HLA antibody screening (LABScreen) testing kits for use with LABScan3D analysers, which have been previously procured, to detect and define HLA specific antibodies. The LABScreen kits are a trademark of One Lambda which are routinely used to screen patient serum samples in the pre- and post-transplant setting for both solid organ and haematopoietic progenitor stem cell transplant recipients. The LABScreen kits are the most reliable and informative kit available, and this kit is needed for consistency with longitudinal testing. VH Bio provide the Trust with technical support for the products. The Transplant Laboratory has been accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service for performing HLA antibody detection and definition using the LABScreen testing kits with the LABScan3D testing platform.
The Trust currently utilises LINKSEQ testing kits for use with LightCycler 480 ii and Quantstudio 7 Flex real-time PCR instruments for HLA typing, which have been previously procured. The LINKSEQ kits are the only compatible SSP kits for the LightCycler 480 II and Quantstudio 7 Flex real-time PCR instruments for HLA typing of DNA tests undertaken. The LINKSEQ wipe tests are required for quality control and are a requirement of accreditation standards. The Transplant Laboratory has been accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service for performing HLA typing using the LINKSEQ testing kits with the Light Cycler 480 II and Quantstudio 7 Flex real-time PCR instruments.
The Trust currently utilises LABTYPE HLA and KIR typing kits and ancillary reagents for use with the LUMINEX LABScan 3D instruments, which have been previously procured. The LABType kits and ancillary reagents are compatible with the LUMINEX LABScan 3D instruments for DNA tests undertaken. The Transplant Laboratory has been accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service for performing HLA typing using the LABType kits with the LIMINEX LABScan 3D system.
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.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2025/S 000-004759
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
6 March 2025
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
V.H. Bio Limited
Unit 11B Station Approach, Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead
Gateshead
NE11 0ZF
Telephone
+44 1914958210
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKC2 - Northumberland and Tyne and Wear
National registration number
02582192
Internet address
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: £2,218,515
Total value of the contract/lot: £2,218,515
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Finance & Procurement Business Unit, Wards 17 & 18, Trafford Hospital
Trafford
M41 5SL
Country
United Kingdom