Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Queen' University Belfast
University Road, Belfast, BT7 1NN
Belfast
UK
E-mail: Shauna.Ryan@qub.ac.uk
NUTS: UKN06
Internet address(es)
Main address: www.qub.ac.uk
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/queensuniversitybelfast/aspx/Home
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/queensuniversitybelfast/aspx/Home
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Education
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
QUB/2503/24 Contract for Supply, Delivery, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of a TMA Arrayer
Reference number: QUB/2503/24
II.1.2) Main CPV code
33100000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
II.1.4) Short description
The Queen's University Genomics Core Technology Unit (GCTU) processes tissue samples for spatial transcriptomic analysis. This is a cutting-edge technique whereby researchers can determine the precise location of gene expression within the tissue context. To allow us to process archival tissue samples e.g. biobanked samples, or precious samples in a cost-effective way, we require instrumentation that will allow us to create tumour microarrays (TMAs). A TMA contains many small representative tissue samples from tens to hundreds of different patient/animal samples assembled on a single histological slide, and therefore allows high throughput analysis of multiple specimens at the same time. This also enables cost-effective analysis as multiple samples can be processed on a single slide, which is important for us to offer as a core service. By purchasing such instrumentation, this would enable the GCTU to support large scale studies, increase our throughput and decrease costs for users.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKN06
Main site or place of performance:
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The GCTU processes tissue samples for spatial transcriptomic analysis. This is a cutting-edge technique whereby researchers can determine the precise location of gene expression within the tissue context. To allow us to process archival tissue samples e.g. biobanked samples, or precious samples in a cost-effective way, we require instrumentation that will allow us to create tumour microarrays (TMAs). A TMA contains many small representative tissue samples from tens to hundreds of different patient/animal samples assembled on a single histological slide, and therefore allows high throughput analysis of multiple specimens at the same time. This also enables cost-effective analysis as multiple samples can be processed on a single slide, which is important for us to offer as a core service. By purchasing such instrumentation, this would enable the GCTU to support large scale studies, increase our throughput and decrease costs for service users.To do this we require an instrument that:1) Has changeable drills/tools that will allow us to work with both Human and Animal tissues in line with HTA requirements.2) Being able to process a large number of blocks (>70) per run to ensure maximal number of sample cores can be included per TMA and offer access to our service for high throughput projects such as those involving biobanked samples.3) Minimal consumable requirements to keep costs low for operation.4) Minimal service requirements to reduce system down time.5) Ability to capture cores in PCR tubes, rather than recipient block, for additional downstream usage flexibility such as next-generation sequencing and/or qPCR studies.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 120
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
One off purchase with an option to extend maintenance and the purchase of consumables beyond this period for a further period of up to 10 years or the end of useful life of the equipment.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
One off purchase with an option to extend maintenance and the purchase of consumables beyond this period for a further period of up to 10 years or the end of useful life of the equipment.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions:
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
- Accelerated procedure
Justification:
Queen's will be availing of Article 27 (3), Public Contracts Regulations 2015; where a state of urgency duly substantiated by the contracting authority renders impracticable the time limit laid down in the second subparagraph of paragraph 1, it may fix a time limit which shall be not less than 15 days from the date on which the contract notice was sent
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
26/01/2024
Local time: 16:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
26/01/2024
Local time: 16:10
Place:
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Queen's University Belfast
Belfast
UK
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
11/01/2024