Bacteriophage Contamination advisory and Specialist Testing Services

NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT) Clinical Biotechnology Centre (CBC), Filton is part of the Cell and Molecular Therapies(CMT) function intends to undertake a procurement tender exercise for the supply of bacteriophage advisory and specialist testing services.<br/><br/>The CBC, is part of the strategic business CMT function of NHSBT, providing specialist advanced therapy manufacturing services for clinical trials such as gene therapies. CBC services are part of a a national network of four laboratories across England which have an MHRA regulated license for the manufacturing of investigational medicinal products. Building on our strengths as a national provider. NHSBT’s strategic aim is that CMT becomes one of the preferred provider and supplier of choice for these services.<br/><br/>NHSBT now wishes to commence a formal procurement process and is seeking to engage with suppliers of bacteriophage advisory and specialist testing services. <br/><br/>We require the services to cover the following:-<br/><br/>

• Comprehensive phage detection services for the following samples – raw materials, finished products, master cell banks, working cell banks, research cell banks, fermentation samples and swab samples.<br/><br/>
• Detection of both lytic phage and prophage testing.<br/><br/>
• Phage Identification by nucleotide sequencing services.<br/><br/>
• Phage Characterisation studies such as susceptibility to disinfectants, temperatures, desiccation, growth media components and pH.<br/><br/>
• Phage production services – if supply of purified phage preparations is required.<br/><br/>
• Perform on-site audits to include identification of the source of phage contamination, routes of spreading, efficiency of cleaning procedures and performance of personnel.<br/><br/>
• Contamination mapping studies to determine the extent of the contamination within the facility.<br/><br/>
• Personnel training services to advise on proper sample handling & good laboratory practices on avoiding phage contamination.<br/><br/>
• Expert Advisory and troubleshooting services to include assistance in constructing and implementing routine and emergency SOPs in the event of a contamination.<br/><br/>It is NHSBT's intention to hold pre-procurement supplier engagement meetings the week of 13th November 2023. The meetings will be held remotely, the dates are to be confirmed. To enable NHSBT to finalise arrangements (e.g. send meeting details and agree time slots) for the meeting’s, interested organisations are required to send an expression of interest via email to [email protected] by no later than 17:00 hrs (GMT) on 20/10/2023. This should include a list of your potential attendees and a brief overview (or a website link) of the Goods / Services which might be offered. Please include options, if available, for a managed service contract.<br/><br/>No business whatsoever is guaranteed under any resulting framework agreement or contract, and there is no guarantee that any framework agreement or contract will be put in place in relation to this notice. No compensation etc. will be paid if a tender or resulting framework agreement is withdrawn for any reason. Bidders should take part in this process only on the basis that they fully understand and accept this position.<br/>It should be noted that this procurement exercise may allow other Health authorities to use any agreements awarded.