Awarded contract

Provision of WES Trio and Singleton Virtual Panel Analysis for Welsh Patients

  • NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership-Procurement Services (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust)

F15: Voluntary ex ante transparency notice

Notice reference: 2021/S 000-014421

Published 24 June 2021, 3:04pm



Section one: Contracting authority/entity

one.1) Name and addresses

NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership-Procurement Services (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust)

2nd Floor Woodland House

Cardiff

CF14 4TT

Contact

Ryan James

Email

ryan.james3@wales.nhs.uk

Telephone

+44 1443848585

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UK - United Kingdom

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://nwssp.nhs.wales/ourservices/procurement-services/

Buyer's address

https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0221

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

Provision of WES Trio and Singleton Virtual Panel Analysis for Welsh Patients

Reference number

CAV-STA (2021/2022) 11

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 71900000 - Laboratory services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

In-line with All Wales Medical Genomic Service’s (AWMGS) commissioning model, AWMGS will procure from CeGaT whole exom sequencing (WES) for trio or singleton virtual panel analysis for patients where this testing cannot be accessed within the NHS E laboratory network. This genetic testing will ensure equity of access to genomic testing for Welsh patients and meet their need to seek a timely genetic diagnosis for their rare or inherited disease.

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: £275,000

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKL22 - Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Main site or place of performance

All Wales Medical Genomics Service, Institute of Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XW

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

NWSSP Procurement Services intends to award a contract on behalf of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, AWMGS, for the supply of WES single and trio based testing from CeGAT. The contract is estimated to commence in July 2021, for a period of two years. The first year’s delivery will be capped at 175,000 GBP and reviewed to ensure that value for money is being achieved through the pick-up rate of pathogenic findings as a means of ensuring appropriate referrals and use of this bespoke service. The second year’s service will be capped at estimated 100,000 GBP assuming AWMGS are able to deliver in-house WES-based testing for Welsh patients within 2022/23 as currently planned.

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

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:

All Wales Genomics Service (AWMGS) is commissioned by the Wealth Health Specialist Services Commission (WHSSC) to provide genetic testing for Welsh patients which is equitable to the provision NHS E makes available through the Rare and Inherited Disease Test Directory. NHS E patients can currently access a range of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) tests for rare and inheritable diseases which the laboratory is unable to deliver in-house. In-house service developments are ongoing to enable the delivery of equivalent genetic tests but these will not go-live until 2022 – 24 (services will be introduced over a 18-24 month basis).

Where feasible, AWMGS commission genetic tests from within the NHS network for Welsh patients. NHS E genetic laboratories currently provide Welsh patients with access to a small number of trio WES-based tests, e.g. Exeter genetic laboratory provides and a larger number of phenotype driven singleton virtual panel tests. Importantly, WGS based testing is not available at all to AWMGS patients from NHS E laboratories due to the centralised model developed by Genetics England.

AWMGS will procure from CeGaT WES for trio or singleton virtual panel analysis for patients where this testing cannot be accessed within the NHS E laboratory network. For Single Exome Diagnostics, CeGaT will analyse a virtual panel of genes that are known to be associated with the patient’s phenotype. The virtual panel will be selected from a list of panels that have been curated by the NHS Genomic Medicine Service and are aligned to the NHSE Test Directory. These panels can be found at https://panelapp.genomicsengland.co.uk/

Targeted analysis of the ACMG genes is NOT requested for any samples received from AWMGS.

Should incidental or secondary findings be identified through routine analysis and not as part of a targeted analysis, these may reported to the referring clinician depending on the preference of the patient that will be indicated on the customised referral form that has been designed to meet the needs of the AWMGS service.

There is no alternative supplier within Europe providing an equivalent customised WES trio or singleton service to CeGAT which delivers against PanelApp green gene lists. Through procuring this specialist service from CeGAT AWMGS will ensure equity of access to genetic testing across NHS E and NHS W patient cohort in line with the commissioning model agreed with WHSSC.

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

CAV-STA (2021/2022) 11

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract/concession

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

11 June 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

CeGaT GmbH

Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 23

Tubingen

D72076

Telephone

+44 7500081932

Country

Germany

NUTS code
  • DE1 - Baden-Württemberg
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: £275,000


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=111599.

(WA Ref:111599)

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

High Court

Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand

London

WC2A 2LL

Telephone

+44 2079477501

Country

United Kingdom

six.4.3) Review procedure

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures

The Authority will allow a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period between notifying the award decision and awarding the contract. Should additional information be required from the addressee in section 1.1 Ryan James (ryan.james3@wales.nhs.uk).

The Contracting Authority will enter into this Contract following a minimum 10 day calendar day standstill period starting on the day after this notice is published onFind a Tender. If legal proceedings are commenced in relation to the contract award, it will be necessary to suspend the award of the contract pending further order of the Court, or the authority may voluntarily decide (at its discretion) to suspend the award of contract whilst any outstanding queries are dealt with. We will not be liable for any costs or losses incurred by you as a result of any suspension of the contract award or as a result of any other action made necessary by any challenge.