Scope
Description
The primary aim of this procurement is to secure a high-throughput sequencing service provider to perform sequencing services for the Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Catapult on a fee-per-service basis. This service will support the CGT Catapult's mission of accelerating the commercialization of innovation from research and overcoming technical barriers in advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) development. The selected provider's services will complement CGT Catapult's unique technical facilities and expertise at its London site.
This procurement seeks comprehensive high-throughput sequencing services. These services will be utilized for deep process characterization, particularly for processes like stem cell differentiation and viral vector manufacturing. The required services include, but are not limited to:
Lot 1 - High-throughput short-read sequencing of libraries generated by CGT Catapult (i.e., sequencing only)
Lot 2 - Bulk RNA sequencing
Lot 3 - Bulk small RNA sequencing
Lot 4 - Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of cryopreserved/fixed samples
Lot 5 - AAV genome short-read sequencing
Lot 6 - Sanger sequencing
Total value (estimated)
- £132,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 3 November 2025 to 2 November 2026
- Possible extension to 2 November 2028
- 3 years
Description of possible extension:
The contract period is for a 1-year contract with the possibility to extend for 1 year and a further 1 year (1+1+1 years). The maximum total contract is 3 years.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
Lot 1. High-throughput short-read sequencing of libraries generated by CGT Catapult (i.e., sequencing-only)
Description
For this service, the provider will receive pre-prepared library pools from CGT Catapult ready for sequencing. These libraries may originate from various sources and experimental designs, representing the final product of CGT Catapult's library preparation efforts. The service should include a Quality Control (QC) step to ascertain whether the provided library sample is considered suitable for downstream sequencing. This QC should evaluate factors such as the presence of adapter artifacts and confirm a minimum yield/concentration. The required throughput per run will vary based on project needs, but typical requirements for human cell-based applications often range from 20 to 30 million reads per sample for messenger RNA profiling and from 40 to 50 million reads per sample for total RNA profiling. Readouts other than gene expression may have other minimum read number requirements. Sequencing should be performed with flexibility for both single-read and paired-end sequencing modes, with read lengths up to 150 bp. The option for specifying read strandedness should also be available, as required by the experimental design. Typically, sample QC should be completed within 1-5 business days of receipt of the library pool(s). Sequencing run completion and raw data delivery are expected to be from 2 weeks to 3 months.
Lot value (estimated)
- £22,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Bulk RNA sequencing
Description
This service will typically involve library preparation and sequencing from cell pellets or isolated RNA samples provided by CGT Catapult. These samples will be derived from various cell lines undergoing different processes. The sequencing throughput, read strandedness, and mode will be contingent on project needs. Additionally, the provider should offer tiered support for data analysis, ranging from raw data processing (e.g., demultiplexing, adapter trimming, read alignment, quantification of gene counts) to statistical analysis (e.g., differential gene expression analysis, clustering) and functional enrichment analysis (e.g., pathway enrichment analysis), contingent on project needs. Sample QC and library preparation typically take 3-14 business days. Sequencing run completion and raw data delivery are expected to be from 2 weeks to 3 months. Tiered data analysis can take 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on the complexity of the analysis.
Lot value (estimated)
- £22,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. Bulk small RNA sequencing
Description
For bulk small RNA sequencing, the provider will generally receive cell pellets, cell culture supernatant, or extracted RNA samples from CGT Catapult. These samples will be used to profile microRNAs and other small non-coding RNAs. The provider should also offer tiered support for data analysis, ranging from raw data processing to statistical analysis, including annotation to known microRNAs or other small RNA types (e.g., piRNAs) and de novo small RNA discovery, contingent on project needs. Sample QC and library preparation typically take 3-14 business days. Sequencing run completion and raw data delivery are expected to be from 2 weeks to 3 months. Tiered data analysis can take 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on the complexity of the analysis.
Lot value (estimated)
- £22,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 4. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of cryopreserved/fixed samples
Description
This service will involve library preparation and sequencing where cryopreserved or fixed cell samples will be provided by CGT Catapult. The throughput for single-cell sequencing should accommodate varying project sizes with regards to number of samples, number of profiled cells per sample, and number of reads to obtain per cell. Sample QC and library preparation typically take 3-14 business days. Sequencing run completion and raw data delivery are expected to be from 2 weeks to 3 months.
Lot value (estimated)
- £22,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 5. AAV genome sequencing
Description
This service will involve analysis of AAV samples (final product) to confirm packaged AAV genome sequence and detect any DNA impurities in the sample. Different AAV serotypes may be used. For a sequencing-only service, AAV genomes will be extracted and libraries generated at CGT Catapult and sent to the provider for downstream sequencing. For end-to-end QC analysis of AAV samples, CGT Catapult samples will be sent to the provider for library generation and QC. Long-read sequencing using PacBio instrumentation will be performed to assess AAV genome integrity, while short-read sequencing will be utilized to confirm sequence of AAV vectors and identify contaminants. Specific requirements for this AAV analysis will depend on project needs. Sample QC and library preparation typically take 3-14 business days. Sequencing run completion and raw data delivery are expected to be from 2 weeks to 3 months. Tiered data analysis can take 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on the complexity of the analysis.
Lot value (estimated)
- £22,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 6. Sanger sequencing
Description
This service is required for targeted sequencing applications, such as confirming effective gene knockout after CRISPR-Cas9 editing, validating the successful insertion of gene cassettes, or verifying specific point mutations. CGT Catapult will typically provide purified DNA samples (e.g., plasmid DNA, PCR amplicons) for this service. The provider should offer robust quality control to ensure sample suitability, followed by sequencing and primary data analysis, including trace visualization and base calling. The expected output is high-quality sequence reads for individual targets, enabling precise validation of genetic modifications. This service typically takes 1-5 business days from sample receipt.
Lot value (estimated)
- £22,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. High-throughput short-read sequencing of libraries generated by CGT Catapult (i.e., sequencing-only)
Lot 2. Bulk RNA sequencing
Lot 3. Bulk small RNA sequencing
Lot 4. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of cryopreserved/fixed samples
Lot 5. AAV genome sequencing
Lot 6. Sanger sequencing
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
4 September 2025, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
12 September 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Access documents via the above link
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Award criteria
Pass/Fail compliance checks
60% technical or quality
40% cost
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Contracting authority
CELL THERAPY CATAPULT LIMITED
- Companies House: 07964711
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNLN-8116-PBCH
12th Floor Tower Wing B
London
SE1 9RT
United Kingdom
Region: UKI44 - Lewisham and Southwark
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government