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
Helium-4 Optically Pumped Magnetometer (OPM-MEG) Supply, Installation, Service and Maintenance
Reference number
868
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 Mag4Health for the supply, installation, service and maintenance of a Helium-4 Optically Pumped Magnetometer MEG system (OPM-MEG) from February 2024 to January 2029.
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: £1,600,000
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 February 2024 to January 2029.
Aston University will carry out extensive clinical trials during this period and requires an OPM-MEG that can be operated up to 8 hours a day, with examinations lasting up to 2 hours on a subject. The Helium OPM-MEG technology dissipates 20 mW per sensor, unlike the Rubidium OPM-MEG, which dissipates about 500 mW to heat the Rubidium at 150°C. The absence of heating will make it simpler for us to operate the system for long periods without the need to actively remove heat. Helium OPM technology is being used in space (e.g. satellites) at the moment and has been proven to work continuously for 10 years.
Although other manufacturers of OPM-MEG systems exist, they do not supply Helium OPM-MEG and for this reason, we have determined that Mag4Health are the only available supplier in the market.
The negotiated contract value estimate reflects a long-term collaboration between Mag4Health and Aston University.
The University will not enter the proposed contract before 31 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
18 October 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
Mag4Health
Grenoble
Country
France
NUTS code
- FRK24 - Isère
Safe Number (France)
FR36438330
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £1,600,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Aston University
Birmingham
Country
United Kingdom