Planning

GSS23564 - UK Research and Innovation (UKRI): Oligonucleotide Synthesis and DNA Sequencing Services Framework

  • UK Research and Innovation

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2023/S 000-024176

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-03f0a6

Published 17 August 2023, 1:13pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

UK Research and Innovation

Polaris House,North Star Avenue

SWINDON

SN21UH

Contact

Sharon West

Email

coreservices@uksbs.co.uk

Telephone

+44 1793867005

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKK14 - Swindon

Justification for not providing organisation identifier

Not on any register

Internet address(es)

Main address

www.uksbs.co.uk

one.2) Information about joint procurement

The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Other activity

Research


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

GSS23564 - UK Research and Innovation (UKRI): Oligonucleotide Synthesis and DNA Sequencing Services Framework

Reference number

GSS23564

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 73110000 - Research services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

*** For the avoidance of doubt, this is not a call for competition. This notice is to inform the market of a Future Opportunity***

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) brings together the seven Research Councils (AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC, MRC, NERC, STFC) plus Innovate UK and a new organisation, Research England.

UKRI wishes to establish a Framework for the provision of Oligonucleotide Synthesis and DNA Sequencing Services.

The Framework will be based upon four LOTS

LOT 1 - DNA Sequencing Services

LOT 2 - Custom Gene Synthesis

LOT 3 - Advanced DNA Service

LOT 4 - Custom Oligonucleotides

This Framework will be made accessible for UKRI and it is intended that multiple providers will be appointed for each of the LOTS.

The objective of this procurement will be to:

a) Produce a Framework Agreement that UKRI can easily use and provide a compliant route to market.

b) Capture a large percentage of the Oligonucleotide Synthesis and DNA Sequencing requirements from large value items to low value, high volume items.

c) Develop strong relationships with UKRI and Suppliers to ensure that the requirements are captured and value for money is achieved.

d) To capture quality management information that will support informed decision making in future procurements.

e) To ensure sustainability aspects are considered and integrated into the Framework Agreement.

f) To continuously improve and apply best practice procurement that meets the end users' requirements.

There is no commitment at this stage that the above mentioned opportunity will proceed in its current format however, at this stage and subject to the relevant approvals, this is the intention.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £8,000,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

DNA Sequencing Services

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73110000 - Research services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

UKRI wish to put in place a Framework for the purchase of a range of user selectable DNA Sequencing services (Sanger/ ~800-1000 base pair read) from a range of samples and formats including tubes, microtiter plates, preparation & extractions services including from colonies and tissue, with the capability of sequencing from High GC and AT samples.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Custom Gene Synthesis

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 24956000 - Peptones and protein substances
  • 73110000 - Research services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

UKRI wish to put in place a Framework for the purchase of a user selectable range of Custom Gene Synthesis.

It is anticipated that this will be divided into 4 sub lots:

• Sub lot 2.1 - Custom Gene fragment synthesis (sub 2000bp)

• Sub lot 2.2 - Custom Gene fragment synthesis (sub 3000bp)

• Sub lot 2.3 - Custom Gene synthesis (3001-5000bp)

• Sub lot 2.4 - Custom Gene synthesis (5001+ bp)

For the above sub-lots, a range of user selectable additional services should be available. These are to include, but not limited to the following:

• Genes produced with additional synthetic Nucleotides (AGTC + XY)

• Custom vector production

• Codon optimized sequences - all species

• Site-directed mutagenesis

• Bacterial, yeast, Baculovirus and mammalian gene expression services

• Complex sequence synthesis - GC rich, AT rich, complex repeats & hairpin structures and toxic sequences

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Advanced DNA Services

Lot No

3

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 24956000 - Peptones and protein substances
  • 73110000 - Research services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

UKRI wish to put in place a Framework for the purchase of a user selectable (via supplier engagement) range of advanced DNA services.

It is anticipated that this will be divided into 3 sub lots:

• Sub-lot 3.1 - Gene Specific DNA Methylation

• Sub-lot 3.2 - Global DNA Methylation

• Sub-lot 3.3 - Allele quantification

A range of additional advanced DNA services are required to include, but not limited to:

• Perform Bisulfite modification.

• Perform PCR reactions.

• Perform Pyrosequencing analysis.

• LC MS DNA-methylation analysis.

• ELISA that enables the direct quantitation of genomic DNA methylation.

• PCR based methods e.g.; Alu and LINE1.

• Methylation sensitive restriction assays e.g.; luminometric methylation assay (LUMA).

• SNP detection and quantification.

• Assay development for SNP detection and quantification from pooled DNA with a defined 100bp target region in murine DNA.

• Validation of the above assay.

• Sample testing if required for the above assay.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Custom Oligonucleotides

Lot No

4

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 24956000 - Peptones and protein substances
  • 73110000 - Research services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

UKRI wish to put in place a framework for the purchase of a range of custom Oligonucleotide synthesis services including Custom DNA oligo's in tubes, plates and RNA/siRNA, to be user selectable via supplier engagement with a range of purification and modification options.

It is anticipated that this will be split into 2 sub lots:

• Sub lot 4.1 - synthesis of DNA oligonucleotides.

• Sub lot 4.2 - synthesis of Custom RNA oligo's (both Single and double stranded RNA oligoes, siRNA) the supply of siRNA Libraries and the production of custom SiRNA Libraries

UKRI wish to put in place a framework for the purchase of a range of custom Oligonucleotide synthesis services including Custom DNA oligo's in tubes, plates and RNA/siRNA, to be user selectable via supplier engagement with a range of purification and modification options. Synthesis of DNA oligonucleotides, synthesis of Custom RNA oligo's (both Single and double stranded RNA oligoes, siRNA) the supply of siRNA Libraries and the production of custom SiRNA Libraries but not limited to:

The production of custom user defined oligonucleotides in the following ranges are required (Inc. plates)

• 0.01UM bases standard

• 0.05UM bases standard

• 0.2UM bases standard

• 1.0UM bases standard

• 0.025 UM / 3OD

• Microtiter plates

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

31 August 2023


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) brings together the seven Research Councils (AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC, MRC, NERC, STFC) plus Innovate UK and a new organisation, Research England.

UKRI wishes to establish a Framework for the provision of Oligonucleotide Synthesis and DNA Sequencing Services.

The Framework will be based upon four LOTS

LOT 1 - DNA Sequencing Services

LOT 2 - Custom Gene Synthesis

LOT 3 - Advanced DNA Service

LOT 4 - Custom Oligonucleotides

There is no commitment at this stage that the above mentioned opportunity will proceed in its current format however, at this stage and subject to the relevant approvals this is the intention.

An Expression of Interest is available to view on Contracts Finder www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk to understand interest with regards to the current view of the requirements detailed.

***It is to be noted that there is no commitment at this stage***

If you believe this will be of interest to your organisation, please register your interest by sending an email to coreservices@uksbs.co.uk ensuring that the subject heading includes the following: GSS23564 - Expression of Interest no later than 12:00hrs GMT on Thursday 24th August 2023.

Please advise if there is any saliant information you believe that needs to be considered further before any formal competition is launched.

Any information supplied shall not place any supplier at an advantage in a potential procurement process.