Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Newcastle University
Newcastle University, Procurement Services, Kingsgate
Newcastle
NE1 7RU
Contact
Dr Emma Barksby
Telephone
+44 1912086298
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKC22 - Tyneside
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://procontract.due-north.com/
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://procontract.due-north.com/
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
(NU/1818) The Supply and Installation of a Multiplexed Platform for Measuring Protein Biomarkers with Spatial Resolution at Single Cell Scale
Reference number
DN637330
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 Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS) within Newcastle University conducts significant discovery and clinical research on human tissue (healthy and diseased) as well as tissues from other relevant biological models. As part of an MRC equipment award (potential), the University are seeking to purchase a technology that can measure multiple protein biomarkers on various tissues and cellular samples with single cell spatial resolution. Due to the sheer nature and complexity of the biological/clinical questions, the system must be able to detect a minimum of 150 protein biomarkers on the same tissue/cell sample. Such a platform will underpin existing work by the FMS core technology platforms including flow cytometry, Bio-imaging and single cell technologies.
As stated in the above background section, but to reiterate, this tender process is for an
analysis platform that is able to detect and measure over 100 protein biomarkers with single-cell level spatial and morphometric resolution in various tissue sections (fixed/frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin embedded – FFPE- samples) as well as immobilised suspension/adherent primary cells and cell lines. The system should be easy to use with set up and walk away features and be able to utilise a range of freely available reagents from various competitive suppliers. It should also be able to be operated in a high-throughput manner with options for multi-slide loading and automated staining/imaging as one unit. The system must also come with dedicated data analysis options to include single cell segmentation, phenotypic exploration and spatial mapping. The system will be operated and supported by the Newcastle Flow Cytometry and Single cell analysis core facility team as a collaboration with the Bio-Imaging Unit. As part of the offer, we are seeking on-site training for a minimum of three people in all aspects of the platform’s operation, including any associated data analysis packages. The offer must include the specified warranty, service and maintenance cover specified in Section 3.2. Please note that the University reserves the right not to make an award of contract. Notification from the MRC about the award of grant funding for the purchase of the platform will be confirmed at the beginning of November. To meet the MRC requirement for delivery, installation and payment the tender process will begin before funding is confirmed.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £660,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC22 - Tyneside
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS) within Newcastle University conducts significant discovery and clinical research on human tissue (healthy and diseased) as well as tissues from other relevant biological models. As part of an MRC equipment award (potential), the University are seeking to purchase a technology that can measure multiple protein biomarkers on various tissues and cellular samples with single cell spatial resolution. Due to the sheer nature and complexity of the biological/clinical questions, the system must be able to detect a minimum of 150 protein biomarkers on the same tissue/cell sample. Such a platform will underpin existing work by the FMS core technology platforms including flow cytometry, Bio-imaging and single cell technologies.
As stated in the above background section, but to reiterate, this tender process is for an
analysis platform that is able to detect and measure over 100 protein biomarkers with single-cell level spatial and morphometric resolution in various tissue sections (fixed/frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin embedded – FFPE- samples) as well as immobilised suspension/adherent primary cells and cell lines. The system should be easy to use with set up and walk away features and be able to utilise a range of freely available reagents from various competitive suppliers. It should also be able to be operated in a high-throughput manner with options for multi-slide loading and automated staining/imaging as one unit. The system must also come with dedicated data analysis options to include single cell segmentation, phenotypic exploration and spatial mapping. The system will be operated and supported by the Newcastle Flow Cytometry and Single cell analysis core facility team as a collaboration with the Bio-Imaging Unit. As part of the offer, we are seeking on-site training for a minimum of three people in all aspects of the platform’s operation, including any associated data analysis packages. The offer must include the specified warranty, service and maintenance cover specified in Section 3.2. Please note that the University reserves the right not to make an award of contract. Notification from the MRC about the award of grant funding for the purchase of the platform will be confirmed at the beginning of November. To meet the MRC requirement for delivery, installation and payment the tender process will begin before funding is confirmed.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £660,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
96
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
There are options for extended warranty, maintenance and servicing for up to 8 years.
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
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.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
15 November 2022
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
15 November 2022
Local time
2:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
Newcastle University will incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period at the point information on the award of the contract is communicated to tenderers. This period allows unsuccessful tenderers to seek further debriefing before the contract is entered into. Applicants have 2 working days from notification of the award decision to request additional debriefing and 4 / 4 that information has to be provided a minimum of 3 working days before expiry of the standstill period. Such additional information should be requested from the address referred to in part 1.1 above. If an appeal regarding the award of a contract has not been successfully resolved, the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland). Any such action must be brought promptly. Where a contract has not been entered into the Court may order the setting aside of the award decision or order the authority to amend any document and may award damages. If the contract has been entered into the Court may only award damages