Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Newcastle University
Newcastle University, Procurement Services, Kingsgate
Newcastle
NE1 7RU
Contact
Dr Emma Barksby
Telephone
+44 1912086298
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKC22 - Tyneside
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's 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
(NU/1804) Research Agreement between Newcastle University and Antaros Medical AB
Reference number
DN628672
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 73110000 - Research services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The services required are the analysis of MRI endpoints for a natural history study in subjects with liver disease. Intention to award a research contract under UK Statutory Instrument 2015 No. 102 Part 2 Chapter 2 Section 3 Regulation 32(1)(b)(ii) and (iii) for provision of MRI analysis to support a natural history cohort study in subjects with liver disease. The contracting party will support deployment, acquisition and downstream analysis of MR imaging modalities including but not limited to 2/3D MRE and contrast enhanced MRI, including the use of their own proprietary techniques, to assess liver structure and function and support clinical research.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Lowest offer: £3,000,000 / Highest offer: £6,000,000 taken into consideration
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 73111000 - Research laboratory services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC22 - Tyneside
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The services required are the analysis of MRI endpoints for a natural history study in subjects with liver disease. Intention to award a research contract under UK Statutory Instrument 2015 No. 102 Part 2 Chapter 2 Section 3 Regulation 32(1)(b)(ii) and (iii) for provision of MRI analysis to support a natural history cohort study in subjects with liver disease. The contracting party will support deployment, acquisition and downstream analysis of MR imaging modalities including but not limited to 2/3D MRE and contrast enhanced MRI, including the use of their own proprietary techniques, to assess liver structure and function and support clinical research.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Future option to develop proprietary PET-tracers targeting Collagen-1 and PDGFRbeta that may be relevant in a future extension of the scope of this project.
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:
The intention is to award a research contract under UK Statutory Instrument 2015 No. 102 Part 2 Chapter 2 Section 3 Regulation 32(1)(b)(ii) and (iii). Where (ii) is the justification for technical reasons and (iii) is the protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights. Antaros Medical have established expertise and experience of deploying advanced MR methodologies in studies that seek to investigate not only liver morphology but also downstream consequences of liver fibrosis such as liver function, portal pressure (including pressure effects on the spleen and portal resistive index) and blood flow to the spleen and kidneys. A range of imaging modalities will be employed in this project including but not limited to liver and spleen stiffness using 2/3D MRE and liver function using uptake of MRI contrast agents, where Antaros Medical have developed quantitative modelling of uptake kinetics to assess liver transporter function. Antaros Medical are also developing proprietary PET-tracers targeting Collagen-1 and PDGFRbeta that may be relevant in a future extension of the scope of this project. These tracers are Antaros Medical proprietary investigational products. Antaros medical will support deployment, acquisition and downstream analysis of MR imaging modalities including but not limited to 2/3D MRE and contrast enhanced MRI to assess liver structure and function and support the research project. In addition, Antaros Medical will collaborate as required with the academic investigators to support the downstream analysis of data, sharing know-how of advanced imaging.
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
NU/1804
Lot No
1
Title
(NU/1804) Research Agreement between Newcastle University and Antaros Medical AB
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
18 August 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
Antaros Medical AB
Bio Venture Hub, Pepparedsleden 1
431 83 Mölndal
Country
Sweden
NUTS code
- SE - Sweden
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Lowest offer: £3,000,000 / Highest offer: £6,000,000 taken into consideration
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
Newcastle University will incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period at the point information on the award of the contract is communicated to tenderers. This period allows unsuccessful tenderers to seek further debriefing before the contract is entered into. Applicants have 2 working days from notification of the award decision to request additional debriefing and 4 / 4 that information has to be provided a minimum of 3 working days before expiry of the standstill period. Such additional information should be requested from the address referred to in part 1.1 above. If an appeal regarding the award of a contract has not been successfully resolved, the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland). Any such action must be brought promptly. Where a contract has not been entered into the Court may order the setting aside of the award decision or order the authority to amend any document and may award damages. If the contract has been entered into the Court may only award damages.