Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
EDGBASTON
BIRMINGHAM
B152TT
Contact
Kseniya Samsonik
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKG31 - Birmingham
Companies House
RC000645
Internet address(es)
Main 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
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