Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
UK Research and Innovation
Polaris House,North Star Avenue
SWINDON
SN21UH
UK
Contact person: Sharon West
Telephone: +44 1793867005
E-mail: coreservices@uksbs.co.uk
NUTS: UKK14
Internet address(es)
Main address: www.uksbs.co.uk
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Other: Research
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
GSS23564 - UK Research and Innovation (UKRI): Oligonucleotide Synthesis and DNA Sequencing Services Framework
Reference number: GSS23564
II.1.2) Main CPV code
73110000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
*** For the avoidance of doubt, this is not a call for competition. This notice is to inform the market of a Future Opportunity***
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) brings together the seven Research Councils (AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC, MRC, NERC, STFC) plus Innovate UK and a new organisation, Research England.
UKRI wishes to establish a Framework for the provision of Oligonucleotide Synthesis and DNA Sequencing Services.
The Framework will be based upon four LOTS
LOT 1 - DNA Sequencing Services
LOT 2 - Custom Gene Synthesis
LOT 3 - Advanced DNA Service
LOT 4 - Custom Oligonucleotides
This Framework will be made accessible for UKRI and it is intended that multiple providers will be appointed for each of the LOTS.
The objective of this procurement will be to:
a) Produce a Framework Agreement that UKRI can easily use and provide a compliant route to market.
b) Capture a large percentage of the Oligonucleotide Synthesis and DNA Sequencing requirements from large value items to low value, high volume items.
c) Develop strong relationships with UKRI and Suppliers to ensure that the requirements are captured and value for money is achieved.
d) To capture quality management information that will support informed decision making in future procurements.
e) To ensure sustainability aspects are considered and integrated into the Framework Agreement.
f) To continuously improve and apply best practice procurement that meets the end users' requirements.
There is no commitment at this stage that the above mentioned opportunity will proceed in its current format however, at this stage and subject to the relevant approvals, this is the intention.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
8 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
DNA Sequencing Services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
73110000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
UKRI wish to put in place a Framework for the purchase of a range of user selectable DNA Sequencing services (Sanger/ ~800-1000 base pair read) from a range of samples and formats including tubes, microtiter plates, preparation & extractions services including from colonies and tissue, with the capability of sequencing from High GC and AT samples.
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Custom Gene Synthesis
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
24956000
73110000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
UKRI wish to put in place a Framework for the purchase of a user selectable range of Custom Gene Synthesis.
It is anticipated that this will be divided into 4 sub lots:
• Sub lot 2.1 - Custom Gene fragment synthesis (sub 2000bp)
• Sub lot 2.2 - Custom Gene fragment synthesis (sub 3000bp)
• Sub lot 2.3 - Custom Gene synthesis (3001-5000bp)
• Sub lot 2.4 - Custom Gene synthesis (5001+ bp)
For the above sub-lots, a range of user selectable additional services should be available. These are to include, but not limited to the following:
• Genes produced with additional synthetic Nucleotides (AGTC + XY)
• Custom vector production
• Codon optimized sequences - all species
• Site-directed mutagenesis
• Bacterial, yeast, Baculovirus and mammalian gene expression services
• Complex sequence synthesis - GC rich, AT rich, complex repeats & hairpin structures and toxic sequences
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Advanced DNA Services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
24956000
73110000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
UKRI wish to put in place a Framework for the purchase of a user selectable (via supplier engagement) range of advanced DNA services.
It is anticipated that this will be divided into 3 sub lots:
• Sub-lot 3.1 - Gene Specific DNA Methylation
• Sub-lot 3.2 - Global DNA Methylation
• Sub-lot 3.3 - Allele quantification
A range of additional advanced DNA services are required to include, but not limited to:
• Perform Bisulfite modification.
• Perform PCR reactions.
• Perform Pyrosequencing analysis.
• LC MS DNA-methylation analysis.
• ELISA that enables the direct quantitation of genomic DNA methylation.
• PCR based methods e.g.; Alu and LINE1.
• Methylation sensitive restriction assays e.g.; luminometric methylation assay (LUMA).
• SNP detection and quantification.
• Assay development for SNP detection and quantification from pooled DNA with a defined 100bp target region in murine DNA.
• Validation of the above assay.
• Sample testing if required for the above assay.
Lot No: 4
II.2.1) Title
Custom Oligonucleotides
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
24956000
73110000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
UKRI wish to put in place a framework for the purchase of a range of custom Oligonucleotide synthesis services including Custom DNA oligo's in tubes, plates and RNA/siRNA, to be user selectable via supplier engagement with a range of purification and modification options.
It is anticipated that this will be split into 2 sub lots:
• Sub lot 4.1 - synthesis of DNA oligonucleotides.
• Sub lot 4.2 - synthesis of Custom RNA oligo's (both Single and double stranded RNA oligoes, siRNA) the supply of siRNA Libraries and the production of custom SiRNA Libraries
UKRI wish to put in place a framework for the purchase of a range of custom Oligonucleotide synthesis services including Custom DNA oligo's in tubes, plates and RNA/siRNA, to be user selectable via supplier engagement with a range of purification and modification options. Synthesis of DNA oligonucleotides, synthesis of Custom RNA oligo's (both Single and double stranded RNA oligoes, siRNA) the supply of siRNA Libraries and the production of custom SiRNA Libraries but not limited to:
The production of custom user defined oligonucleotides in the following ranges are required (Inc. plates)
• 0.01UM bases standard
• 0.05UM bases standard
• 0.2UM bases standard
• 1.0UM bases standard
• 0.025 UM / 3OD
• Microtiter plates
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
31/08/2023
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) brings together the seven Research Councils (AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC, MRC, NERC, STFC) plus Innovate UK and a new organisation, Research England.
UKRI wishes to establish a Framework for the provision of Oligonucleotide Synthesis and DNA Sequencing Services.
The Framework will be based upon four LOTS
LOT 1 - DNA Sequencing Services
LOT 2 - Custom Gene Synthesis
LOT 3 - Advanced DNA Service
LOT 4 - Custom Oligonucleotides
There is no commitment at this stage that the above mentioned opportunity will proceed in its current format however, at this stage and subject to the relevant approvals this is the intention.
An Expression of Interest is available to view on Contracts Finder www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk to understand interest with regards to the current view of the requirements detailed.
***It is to be noted that there is no commitment at this stage***
If you believe this will be of interest to your organisation, please register your interest by sending an email to coreservices@uksbs.co.uk ensuring that the subject heading includes the following: GSS23564 - Expression of Interest no later than 12:00hrs GMT on Thursday 24th August 2023.
Please advise if there is any saliant information you believe that needs to be considered further before any formal competition is launched.
Any information supplied shall not place any supplier at an advantage in a potential procurement process.
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
17/08/2023