CONTRACT NOTICE – NATIONAL

1 Authority Details

1.1

Authority Name and Address

1.2

Address from which documentation may be obtained

1.3

Completed documents must be returned to:

2 Contract Details

2.1

Title

Bacterial whole genome sequencing

2.2

Description of the goods or services required

Introduction

The University of Bristol is seeking a single provider to support a number of large research projects for which the research group undertakes surveillance of bacterial isolates from a variety of human and animal sources in the UK, Argentina and Thailand.

The research is funded by for Arwain DGC (Defnydd Gwrthfioteg Cyfrifol / Leading on the responsible use of antimicrobials Wales); and the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

The contract must be in place during December 2022.

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General Requirements

In order to fully characterise the genomes of Gram negative bacterial isolates for a variety of research projects, we require a bacterial whole genome sequencing specialist service on an Illumina platform generating 2x250bp paired-end reads at a minimum depth of coverage of 30x and a median insert sizes greater than 600bp.

The bacteria under study are known to lose plasmids in cold storage conditions over time. In order to mitigate against plasmid loss we need a sequencing provider who has existing protocols that preserve the DNA of the isolates as close to the point of isolation as possible.

For each isolate we can provide the equivalent of 8 OD600nm or 4 x 109 cells.

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Commissioning of Work

The isolates are currently prepared in batches of 93 with the requirement to ship the order in multiple batches. The volume of work will fluctuate dependant on the research project outputs.

Orders will normally be placed via a University of Bristol Purchase Order, covering the batch work over a period of time.

Batches are currently posted to the supplier by the University at the University’s expense.

Bidders should confirm batch requirements if different to 93 and any shipping protocols.

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Data Requirements

These data sets are key to a number of large research projects and we require data to be cross-comparable between projects. Therefore, for these projects we also require several bioinformatics services, including taxonomic assignment using Kraken, mapping, variant calling, assembly and annotation (fasta, gbk, gff, fastq files).

We will require the data to be generated and the bioinformatics completed for each batch of isolates within 8 weeks of receipt of the isolates.

Data should remain available for access from the provider for a minimum of 12 months from the date of sequencing completion and be provided on a centralised platform rather than only via data link.

Bidders should describe how the data is stored, released and accessed by the University.

2.3

Notice Coding and Classification

2.4

Total quantity or scope of tender

The value of the contract is estimated to be and must not exceed £100,000 (excluding VAT) and will expire when this level is reached or until 1st March 2024, whichever is earliest.

There may be an option to extend the contract for BBSRC funded requirements if the contract has expired prior to 1st March 2024.

The Contractor must acknowledge that, in entering this Contract, no form of exclusivity or volume guarantee has been granted by the University for the Services. The University at all times shall be entitled to enter into other contracts and arrangements with other Suppliers for the supply of services which are the same as or similar to the service specified.

3 Conditions for Participation

3.1

Minimum standards and qualification required

The University of Bristol invites Providers to quote on the University of Bristol Standard Terms and Conditions which can be found in the tender documents. There will not be any negotiations on any of the substantive terms of the tender documents, including the Conditions of Contract. However, Suppliers may propose amendments, and raised as clarifications before the Deadline for Clarifications found in the tender portal, to specific clauses of the Conditions of Contract (where Suppliers are unable to accept those clauses unamended) and UoB shall, in its absolute discretion, decide whether or not to accept those amendments.

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Reserved Procurement (PPN 11/20, WPPN 05/21)

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In accordance with procurement notices PPN 11/20 & WPPN 05/21 on Reserving Below Threshold Procurements, this requirement procurement is reserved to contractors based in the UK region.

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The supplier must have substantive business operations in the UK. In this context, this means having a factory or other permanent base in that location from which meaningful business operations are being conducted rather than simply a registered office.

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This procurement is reserved for Small and Medium sized Enterprises SMEs and VCSEs if appropriate. A SME is defined as any business with fewer than 250 employees and either an annual turnover below £45m or a total balance sheet less than £40m.

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Capacity

The contractor must have minimum capacity for 500 sequencing reactions per month, which is an estimate of the highest demand in any period.

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Experience & Consistency

Given the number of isolates to be sequenced and to both streamline and standardise the submission process we require a provider who has extensive experience of performing DNA extractions from Gram negative bacteria and who will perform the DNA extractions themselves from isolate samples provided.

Bidders must demonstrate that they have the required experience in bacterial whole genome sequencing, and evidence they have the required capability and capacity to be able to carry out the sequencing and analysis in exactly the same manner as the existing data.

4 Administrative Information

4.1

Type of Procedure

Single stage

4.2

Reference number attributed to the notice by the contracting authority

Lab-2208-009-PC_1515

4.3

Time Limits

4.5

Language or languages in which tenders or requests to participate can be drawn up

4.6

Tender Submission Postbox

5 Other Information

5.1

Additional Information

Invitation to Tender documents found within the tender portal https://tenders.bris.ac.uk

ITT reference: itt_1119

(WA Ref:124876)

Under the terms of this contract the successful supplier(s) will be required to deliver Community Benefits in support of the authority’s economic and social objectives. Accordingly, contract performance conditions may relate in particular to social and environmental considerations. The Community Benefits included in this contract are:

Please refer to the Invitation to Tender documents found within the tender portal https://tenders.bris.ac.uk

The buyer considers that this contract is suitable for consortia bidding.

5.2

Additional Documentation

5.3

Publication date of this notice