Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Aston University
Aston Triangle
BIRMINGHAM
B47ET
Contact
Jacob Rankine
Telephone
+44 1212044562
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKG31 - Birmingham
Companies House
RC000904
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
(VEAT Notice) - 3D Bioprinter Supply and Installation
Reference number
864
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
Aston University is putting out this notice as a VEAT (Voluntary Ex ante Transparency Notice) with a view to completing a Direct Award to Scienion (UK) Limited for the supply and installation of a specialist 3D Bioprinter.
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: £600,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKG31 - Birmingham
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Aston University intends to award the contract without a call for competition in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ((32.2(b) ii). The contract duration is expected to be October 2023 to September 2024 as per the warranty period.
In order to achieve our objectives, the University requires the following:
• Ability to control the voxel size along one scanning plane using synchronized laser power modulation at high speeds. Necessary to achieve smooth surfaces for micro fluidic channels on much higher speeds for this high resolution compared to any other technique.
• Method of printing such as Dip-in Laser Lithography (DiLL), where the resin is simultaneously used as an immersion medium and written on the same side of the substrate as the imaging objective. This is necessary to eliminate height restrictions on printed structures. Some users plan structures of ~20mm height.
• Printing on non-transparent and non-planar surfaces in addition to planar transparent. This is necessary for many major users particularly those printing on CMOS chips, semiconductors and electronic interface components. Also users will require ability to print into commercially available microfluidic chips with channels and cell perfusion wells with range of ~1200-1700 µm depth.
• Upright printing platform (i.e. the objective approaches from above) is necessary for many planned user printing at Aston. It is ideal for wafer-scale and batch production, and enabling of large height structures.
• Availability of a wide range of materials to be used with the system, such as biocompatible low fluorescence material printing, glass structure printing, and biocompatible gels. Aston user experience with materials important for rapid and confident user uptake.
• Features of the equipment required for use in the Aston multiuser facility. These include a sound pressure level (LpA) below 40 dB(A), and remote access and monitoring of prints. Touchscreen user interface to allow intuitive operation and increase usability facilitating maximal usage.
• Additionally, features that enable rapid setup and calibration, with writing strategies to enable high throughput of large structures. These are necessary for the efficiency of Aston multiuser facility and approaches such as rapid prototyping.
• Short lead time to meet requirement of funding usage.
The University will not enter the proposed contract before 10 October 2023.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: 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:
Negotiated without a prior call for competition
The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
• absence of competition for technical reasons
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
26 September 2023
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
Scienion (UK) Limited
Hove
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ21 - Brighton and Hove
Companies House
11838025
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £600,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Aston University
Birmingham
Country
United Kingdom