Awarded contract

Whole head OPM-MEG System

  • The University of Birmingham

F15: Voluntary ex ante transparency notice

Notice reference: 2022/S 000-011483

Published 4 May 2022, 12:58pm



Section one: Contracting authority/entity

one.1) Name and addresses

The University of Birmingham

University of Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM

B15 2TT

Contact

Kseniya Samsonik

Email

k.samsonik@bham.ac.uk

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKG31 - Birmingham

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

Whole head OPM-MEG System

Reference number

FRAM542/22

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 38400000 - Instruments for checking physical characteristics

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

The HEDscan system is a non-invasive, wearable magnetoencephalography (MEG) system based on optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) sensor technology. OPM sensors are placed directly on the participant's head and allow to record brain activity with very high fidelity. The system will be complementary to MEG facilities located at the Centre for Human Brain Health at the University of Birmingham. It will be based in the OPM Lab facility and will be made available to other research groups at CHBH and UoB. The system comprises of a smart helmet that fits all head sizes and number of OPM sensors.

To ensure compatibility of the system we require that additional OPM sensors will be purchased with the original equipment manufacturer (FieldLine Inc). The purchase is for the smart helmet, reclining chair with fixtures to secure the helmet, OPM sensors and controllers as a bundle, as well as service contracts and any additional peripheral equipment that is complementary to the existing equipment. The purchase will be for a period of 2 years.

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: £1,000,000

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 HEDscan system is a non-invasive, wearable magnetoencephalography (MEG) system based on optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) sensor technology. OPM sensors are placed directly on the participant's head and allow to record brain activity with very high fidelity. The system will be complementary to MEG facilities located at the Centre for Human Brain Health at the University of Birmingham. It will be based in the OPM Lab facility and will be made available to other research groups at CHBH and UoB. The system comprises of a smart helmet that fits all head sizes and number of OPM sensors.

To ensure compatibility of the system we require that additional OPM sensors will be purchased with the original equipment manufacturer (FieldLine Inc). The purchase is for the smart helmet, reclining chair with fixtures to secure the helmet, OPM sensors and controllers as a bundle, as well as service contracts and any additional peripheral equipment that is complementary to the existing equipment. The purchase will be for a period of 2 years.

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 procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations

Explanation:

The equipment specified is manufactured by the original supplier only. No other OPM supplier can supply smart helmets that allows sensors positioning directly on the subject's head and at the same tine provide accurate and automatic readout about the positions of each sensor. Furthermore, the sensors positioning information as well as data recorded with FieldLine OPMs can be stored in a file format that is comparable to traditional MEG systems. The helmet can accommodate people of all ages (above 5 years old) and head sizes and can fit up ~126 sensors. Finally, the system has scalable design (can be expanded to 512 sensors) and is fully integrated. OPM sensors manufactured by the supplier have dynamic range of +/-10nT and operate under negative feedback which is an additional advantage for experiments planned in the magnetically shielded room at OPM lab facility. Only sensors supplied by the manufacturer are compatible with the helmet. No other supplier has the appropriate expertise to service the equipment.

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

FRAM542/22

Title

Whole head OPM-MEG System

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract/concession

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

4 May 2022

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

FieldLine Incorportated

Boulder

80301

Country

United States

NUTS code
  • US - United States
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

No

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

Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £1,000,000


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

The University of Birmingham

University of Birmingham

Birmingham

B152TT

Country

United Kingdom