Single Nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) ARRAY and reagents platform

Procurement reference

CAV-DCO (25-26) 97

Procurement description

The All Wales Medical Genomics Service (AWMGS), hosted by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board at the University Hospital of Wales, intends to award a contract for the provision of a single array platform to support both germline and acquired copy number analysis. The platform must be compatible with DNA extracted from a variety of sample types, including blood, amniotic fluid, bone marrow, and other tissues, and demonstrate proven clinical utility across these applications.

Due to the current scanning equipment nearing end-of-life and the absence of capital funding, the contract will include the provision of a loaned scanner for the full duration of the agreement, supplied under a reagent rental or similar arrangement. The supplier will retain ownership of the scanner and will be responsible for its maintenance and support throughout the contract term, at no additional cost.

The successful supplier, Illumina, will provide all necessary software free of charge, ensure continuity of service by supplying a replacement scanner of identical specification if required, and cover all associated maintenance and support costs.

NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership-Procurement Services (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust)

illumina

Procedure type

Direct award

Description of how these justifications apply

This procurement is justified under single supplier grounds due to both exclusive rights and technical reasons. Illumina is the sole provider of the required array platform and associated software, which are protected by intellectual property and cannot be legally or technically replicated by alternative suppliers. The platform is uniquely validated for both germline and acquired copy number analysis across multiple sample types, and its integration with existing workflows and clinical protocols makes substitution technically unfeasible. Additionally, Illumina is the only supplier able to offer the required reagent rental model, including a loaned scanner with full maintenance and replacement guarantees, ensuring continuity of service without additional cost.

Direct award justification

Single suppliers technical reasons

Description of risks to contract performance

The proposed contract will run for a period of two years, during which Illumina will provide the array platform, associated software, and a loaned scanner under a reagent rental arrangement. While this term ensures continuity of service and avoids capital expenditure, key risks include potential dependency on a single supplier, limited flexibility to switch platforms due to integration and validation requirements, and reliance on the supplier’s ability to maintain and replace equipment promptly. These risks are mitigated by contractual provisions requiring full maintenance, software support, and guaranteed replacement of the scanner if needed, all at no additional cost.