Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
QE Facilities
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Gateshead
NE9 6SX
Telephone
+44 01914452804
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.qefacilities.co.uk/
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Time-lapse Incubation and Imaging System
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 33100000 - Medical equipments
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
Embryoscope - Time Lapse Incubation and Imaging System
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: £225,070.50
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 38434540 - Biomedical equipment
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
QE Facilities have a requirement to replace our existing Time-lapse Incubation and Imaging System situated in the IVF Laboratory, that supports assisted conception treatments. The equipment must have the ability to be able to continuously monitor embryo cell divisions while the embryos remain in the incubator with associated embryo selection software. The timelapse footage should be accessible to staff and patients. The equipment should be compatible with the existing Noblegen NG1 nitrogen generator and have the capacity for 8 dishes (min). This procurement aims to include purchase, associated consumables, installation, and ongoing service and maintenance.
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
Negotiated without a prior call for competition
- No tenders or no suitable tenders/requests to participate in response to open procedure
- The products involved are manufactured purely for the purpose of research, experiment, study or development
- The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- absence of competition for technical reasons
Explanation:
A PIN was published to notify potentially interested suppliers of the upcoming procurement for the Time-lapse Incubation and Imaging System. The PIN only received one response which met the authorities requirement of the Time-Lapse Incubation and Imaging System. This response has led to the decision to directly award the contract to Vitrolife, for the procurement of the Embryoscope system, without conducting a formal tender procedure in accordance with article 32, whereby a direct award may be made in a situation where no suitable alternatives exist and a lack of competition for technical reasons occurs.
The Embryoscope incubation system is a unique and highly specialised product with no equivalent alternatives in the market. Vitrolife's technology, experience, and reputation in the field provide additional justification for the direct award.
Given the unique circumstances, namely the lack of interest shown in response to the PIN, and the unique nature of the Embryoscope incubation system, the authority feels it is justified to issue a VEAT notice for a direct award to Vitrolife. This process ensures the transparency of the contract award decision.
The authority will conclude the process and enter into a formal contract on Wednesday 3rd January 2024, subject to a10 day standstill period which closes at 00:00 Tuesday 2nd January 2024.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
ITQ-23-75
Title
Time-Lapse Incubation System
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
22 December 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
Vitrolife Limited
1 Chapel Street
Warwick
CV34 4HL
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
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: £225,070.50
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract/lot/concession is likely to be subcontracted
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
QE Facilities
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Gateshead
NE9 6SX
Telephone
+44 01914452804
Country
United Kingdom