Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
NHS Blood and Transplant
500 North Bristol Park
Bristol
BS34 7QH
UK
Contact person: Rowena Thomas
Telephone: +44 7553520488
E-mail: rowena.thomas@nhsbt.nhs.uk
NUTS: UKK11
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at:
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Health
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Supply of a Parallel Bioreactor, associated consumables and maintenance
II.1.2) Main CPV code
33698000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
II.1.4) Short description
Supply of a Parallel Bioreactor, associated consumables, maintenance and any potential future developments of the system. <br/><br/>Note: A separate contract notice will be published to cover requirements at the start of the procurement process.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
1 040 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT) are seeking to engage with suppliers of Parallel Bioreactors via an early market engagement exercise. <br/><br/> The Clinical Biotechnology Centre (CBC) is a recognised manufacturer of clinical-grade biologicals in support of late pre-clinical and early clinical trials for investigational medicinal products (IMPs). As part of the MRC/LifeArc/BBSRC-funded hub network for improvements for gene therapies, the CBC is undertaking extensive process optimisation and scale-up developments on existing research and development (R&D) processes to manufacture viral vectors and other investigational medicinal products for gene and cell therapy applications. The CBC requires parallel bioreactor capability for suspension culture of mammalian cells. <br/><br/>NHSBT’s requirement is likely to include the following: <br/><br/>- Fully-closed parallel bioreactor system (not requiring biological safety cabinet) with equal or more than 16 parallel vessels <br/><br/>- bioreactor vessels with ability to gas sparge and headspace with standard 3-gas mixtures <br/><br/>- bioreactor vessels with modifiable impeller designs <br/><br/>- bioreactor vessels that can individually be dosed with liquid reservoirs each <br/><br/>- Extendable system that allows for future incorporation of R&D features such as novel analytical probes and perfusion capability <br/><br/>As part of the early market engagement exercise, NHSBT would like to discuss our draft requirement with suppliers along with: system footprint size, extendable system design, remote access to system via cloud or other and collaborations for future extensions of the system in terms of analytical capabilities and process intensifications. <br/> <br/>It should be noted that other health authorities may be permitted to use any agreements awarded. <br/><br/>It is NHSBT's intention to hold the early market engagement exercise supplier meetings on the 28th March 2025 (note: date is subject to change). The meetings will be held remotely. To enable NHSBT to finalise arrangements (e.g. send meeting details and agree time slots), interested organisations are required to send an expression of interest via email to carley.butcher@nhsbt.nhs.uk & rowena.thomas@nhsbt.nhs.uk by no later than 17:00 hrs (GMT) on Friday, 21st March 2025. This should include a list of your requested attendees and a brief overview (or a website link) of the Goods / Services which might be of interest to NHSBT in relation to this requirement. Please include options, if available, for a managed service contract. <br/><br/>There is no guarantee that a formal procurement process will be launched as a result of this early market engagement exercise, nor that any contract(s) will be placed. No remuneration or compensation etc will be paid to organisations who take part in this early market engagement exercise. Suppliers should take part in this process only on the basis that they fully understand and accept this position.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
12/05/2025
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.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
19/02/2025