Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care acting as part of the Crown through UK Health Security Agency
10 South Colonnade
London
E14 4PU
Contact
Commercial Operations
science.tendering@ukhsa.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKI42 - Tower Hamlets
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency
Buyer's address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency
one.6) Main activity
Other activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
UKHSA_Scientific- Provision of a DNA Synthesiser
Reference number
C234239
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
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) requires the provision of a DNA Synthesiser for use in its Diagnostic Evaluations and Innovations team laboratories. The team requires the provision of a laboratory-based easy- to-use DNA synthesizer, consumables and maintenance services which will allow for on-demand synthesis of custom DNA oligos, suitable for use in real-time qPCR applications, sequencing and for gene-synthesis use. These ready-to-use oligos will be used in a range of molecular biology and genomics applications, capable of producing modified oligos with fluorophores, quenchers, and biotin.
These oligos will be used to support UKHSA outbreak response activities. They will be required for the evaluation of diagnostic assays, to assure rapid assay development, particularly for high consequence pathogens.
UKHSA is planning to award a contract to DNA Script, Inc. for the DNA synthesiser, associated maintenance and consumables as we believe that they are the only supplier capable of meeting our technical requirements.
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: 590,100 EUR
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKK15 - Wiltshire CC
Main site or place of performance
UKHSA Porton Down
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) requires the provision of a DNA Synthesiser for use in its Diagnostic Evaluations and Innovations team laboratories. The team requires the provision of a laboratory-based easy- to-use DNA synthesizer, consumables and maintenance services which will allow for on-demand synthesis of custom DNA oligos, suitable for use in real-time qPCR applications, sequencing and for gene-synthesis use. These ready-to-use oligos will be used in a range of molecular biology and genomics applications, capable of producing modified oligos with fluorophores, quenchers, and biotin.
These oligos will be used to support UKHSA outbreak response activities. They will be required for the evaluation of diagnostic assays, to assure rapid assay development, particularly for high consequence pathogens.
UKHSA is planning to award a contract to DNA Script, Inc. for the DNA synthesiser, associated maintenance and consumables as we believe that they are the only supplier capable of meeting our technical requirements.
The DNA synthesiser needs to be able to meet below requirements.
• 15–120 nt de novo synthesis of oligos (A, T, G, and C)
• Synthesize labelled and unlabelled oligos
• Enzymatic synthesis so no harsh organic solvents
• Produces ready-to-use oligos for molecular biology and genomics applications
• Capability to produce single or dual labelled qPCR probes (fluorophores & quenchers) compatible with FAM, HEX and CY5 channels
• Flexibility for up to 96 oligos per run
• Parallel synthesis in 96-well plates
• Short set up time (<45 min)
• Capacity for same day synthesis of short oligos (<30 nt)
• Capacity for unattended overnight operation
• Quantification & normalisation capabilities
• Ability to upload sequence files for synthesis using text based (csv) and/or MS excel-based file formats
• Laboratory benchtop operation with unit(s) footprint smaller than (1.3 M Width x 0.8 m Depth x 0.7 m Height)
• Ambient temperature operating requirement
• Weight of unit(s) < 170 kg
• 240-volt electrical requirement
• Capability for network free on-premise operation
• USB capabilities
• Ethernet capabilities
• Error rates equivalent or lower than traditional service providers
• Yield Standard Oligos (15-80nt) > 500 pmol
• Yield standard labelled Oligos (15-80nt) > 250 pmol
• Capacity for 384 well plate production of oligos
As part of our pre-procurement market engagement, we sent a request for information to our National Microbiology Framework Lot 1 suppliers (over 130 suppliers). None of the suppliers were able to meet our requirements.
As the laboratories’ requirements are very specialised, we believe that only the SYNTAX STX-200 SYSTEM from DNA Script is capable of performing the work carried out by the laboratory.
If you feel that you have a solution which could meet our requirements, please email science.tendering@ukhsa.gov.uk by no later than 5pm on 29th August 2024 with more information about your proposed solution.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
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:
UKHSA is planning to award a contract to DNA Script, Inc. for the DNA synthesiser, associated maintenance and consumables as we believe that they are the only supplier capable of meeting our technical requirements.
As part of our pre-procurement market engagement, we sent a request for information to our National Microbiology Framework Lot 1 suppliers (over 130 suppliers). None of the suppliers were able to meet our requirements.
As the laboratories’ requirements are very specialised, we believe that only the SYNTAX STX-200 SYSTEM from DNA Script is capable of performing the work carried out by the laboratory.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract/concession
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
13 August 2024
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
DNA Script, Inc.
2001 Junipero Serra Blvd Suite 400 Daly City, CA 94014 USA
Daly City
94014
Country
United States
NUTS code
- US - United States
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot/concession: 590,100 EUR
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: 590,100 EUR
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court
39 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0EU
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care
six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
High Court
39 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0EU
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care
six.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
High Court
39 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0EU
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care