Awarded contract

Tender for the Supply and Installation of a High Dimensional Spatial Biology Platform to the University of Birmingham

  • THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

F03: Contract award notice

Notice reference: 2023/S 000-023539

Published 11 August 2023, 11:10am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

EDGBASTON

BIRMINGHAM

B152TT

Contact

Kseniya Samsonik

Email

K.Samsonik@bham.ac.uk

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKG31 - Birmingham

Companies House

RC000645

Internet address(es)

Main address

www.birmingham.ac.uk

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

Tender for the Supply and Installation of a High Dimensional Spatial Biology Platform to the University of Birmingham

Reference number

SC11656/23

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of a high-dimensional spatial multiomics platform. This will form part of the advanced histology services offered by Birmingham Tissue Analytics (BTA), a University of Birmingham research facility. BTA already provides complex multi-parameter immuno-histochemical tissue imaging and spatial transcriptomics platforms academic, clinically focused, and industry-linked work streams (www.birmingham.ac.uk/birmingham-tissue-analytics). This spatial multi-omics platform should build on BTAs current capabilities and capacity, particularly with regards to high dimensional protein and gene expression analysis at subcellular analytical resolution.

This project may be funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) or;

- European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) or;

- Research Councils UK (RCUK), the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils.

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: £339,416

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 33110000 - Imaging equipment for medical, dental and veterinary use
  • 38510000 - Microscopes

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKG31 - Birmingham

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of an imaging platform capable of delivering spatial high parameter, multi-omic data in single cell resolution. This platform will be operated by Birmingham Tissue Analytics (BTA), a University of Birmingham spatial biology facility.

General characteristics

BTA specialises in the delivery of high dimensional imaging data across a range of spatial biology platforms (Leica Bond RX, Akoya Mantra, Akoya PhenoImager HT, Lunaphore COMET, Nanostring GeoMx). The intention for the platform that is the subject of this tender would be to expand our existing capabilities, particularly with regards to the number of markers per slide (ideally in excess of 80 targets), our capacity for profiling RNA expression in human tissue samples and our ability to deliver multiple projects simultaneously across academic and industry collaborations.

Specifications

1) An analytical platform capable of providing hyperplex imaging more than 80 targets per slide.

2) Capability to analyse FFPE tissue samples, and frozen tissue.

4) An end-to-end hyperplex solution that encompasses staining and imaging.

5) A platform that facilitates whole slide imaging due to existing constraints within our multiplex platforms.

6) Pre-validated reagent kits for protein/RNA profiling would be highly advantageous due to the service delivery basis for which the platform utilised which limits the feasibility of extensive panel validations across multiple projects.

7) A benchtop platform that could be accommodated on standard laboratory benching due to space constraints in the facility.

8) An imaging platform for which there is evidence of a level of throughput that meet demands of our workload (ideally 10-20 projects per year, projects typically demand 10-20 sections)

8) A platform that provides imaging data that is accessible to a range of image analysis software, in particular Visiopharm, which we have already invested in as a facility and for which we have existing analysis workstreams.

After sales services

• We expect a swift and high quality remote and on-site technical support for the length of the instrument warranty as well additional service contracts we might purchase.

• A training package must be provided for a group of users.

• We expect the suppliers to provide us with educational resources and services dedicated to our instrument configuration.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Compliance to the specifications / Weighting: 40

Quality criterion - Name: After Sales and Technical back up / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Delivery and training / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability and Environmental / Weighting: 5

Quality criterion - Name: Standard Supplier Questionnaire / Weighting: 10

Price - Weighting: 25

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: 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: 2023/S 000-014823


Section five. Award of contract

Title

Tender for the Supply and Installation of a High Dimensional Spatial Biology Platform to the University of Birmingham

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

31 July 2023

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 2

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Akoya Biosciences, Inc

Marlborough

Country

United States

NUTS code
  • US - United States
Justification for not providing organisation identifier

Not on any register

The contractor is an SME

No

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

Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £339,416

Total value of the contract/lot: £339,416


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

University of Birmingham

Edgbaston

Country

United Kingdom