Find a TenderClosed
Published 17 Apr 2021, 07:10 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Biological Sample Processing, Genotyping, and Storage

Official notice

Authority: Our Future Health (Akeso&Co acting on behalf of)·Consortium: 2 public authorities

8 lotsServicesOpen procedureMax 7 lots per supplier
Published estimate£212,000,000total for 8 lots · 1 value update
Submissions closed 16 Sept 2021
Lots 8max 7 won per supplier

What is being bought8 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

The scope of the procurement is receipt, processing and DNA extraction of blood samples from 5 million participants; design, manufacture and assessment of a high-throughput genome-wide genotype assay; the provision of a genotype service; and ultra-low temperature, long term storage of plasma, buffy coat, and DNA. The aim for commencement of these agreements is December 2021.

CPV: Blood analysis services · Laboratory services · Pathology services · Research laboratory services · Research services

Lots and requirements (8)Procurement structure

8 lots · 7 with a published value (£212,000,000 together) · win at most 7 of them
Lot #1The aim of Our Future Health is to recruit up to five million adults from across the…PlannedLot estimate not published

The aim of Our Future Health is to recruit up to five million adults from across the UK to take part in the largest research study of its kind. Participants will be asked to provide information about their health and lifestyles and small samples of their saliva and/or blood.

We will ask for permission to combine the information and samples that they give us with existing information about them, including their health records. Adding these additional types of information will help to build a more comprehensive picture of health and wellbeing that could be relevant to understanding what changes people's risk of disease.

Combining these multiple sources of health and health-relevant information, including genetic data, will create an incredibly detailed picture that represents the whole of the UK. Researchers will use this information to make new discoveries about human health and diseases.

We will use the health information, including genetic data, to calculate disease risk scores for participants in Our Future Health where possible. Based on these risk profiles, it might be possible to better identify individuals who are at higher risk of developing certain diseases. This will provide an opportunity to test the potential of new diagnostic tests or treatments as they are discovered and to see how effective they could be for people at higher risk of certain diseases. This will also mean Our Future Health can facilitate research addressing important questions about the potential uses of new 'genetic risk scores' in health care.

In order to achieve this aim Our Future Health needs to contract for services to process the samples collected and to provide long term storage and access solutions.

The scope of the procurement is processing of various types of the 5 million biological samples including saliva and blood (such as but not limited to EDTA, PST, ctDNA and RNA samples) with the aim to commence from October 2021.

Processing will include fraction separation by centrifugation, aliquoting and long-term storage (-80 degrees ULT) of samples at HTA licenced facility with effective IT systems for tracking, accessing the samples for re-testing over the long term. There may also be a requirement to handle safe disposal of samples at some stage through their lifecycle,

Additionally, the process is expected to isolate DNA from saliva and buffy coat. Isolated DNA will need to adhere to quality and quantity standard for subsequent analysis such as SNP arrays or any other type of genotyping including whole genome sequencing, therefore quantification by UV Absorbance, fluorescence-based method or Electrophoresis and sample normalisation will be required.

Genotyping, including SNP chip, will be an essential requirement of the service and we are seeking to understand the market for these services to determine if it should form a separate procurement Lot.

Suppliers might be required to process identifiable personal data, de-identify samples providing sample traceability and robust Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) with potential to integrate with external IT system and secure data transfers. Samples will be collected across the United Kingdom including Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

The scope of this PIN does not include the collection or transportation of blood samples to the processing site. However, we are considering the option to include the fulfilment service of home saliva kits in scope of this procurement including reviewing options for the purchase of the saliva collection kits for genetic analysis.

Our Future Health will be the Contracting Authority, Akeso&Co are undertaking the procurement on behalf of Our Future Health.

The current procurement strategy assumes a lotting structure as follows. However, we are seeking feedback on if this would gain bids for the best value solution to meet the requirement as part of the market engagement.

Lot 1: receipt and processing of samples

NB OFH are currently considering option to sub lot to include a range of test requirements and/or outputs e.g. SNP chip

Lot 2: storage and access management of samples

Lot 3: Fully managed service option (end to end)

Lot 4: Fulfilment services for distribution and collection of home saliva sample kits for genetic testing

The commercial basis for the contract is to be determined and we will be seeking feedback on how this can be structured to attract best value solutions to meet the requirement.

We currently anticipate using the open procurement procedure.

It is anticipated that the initial term for contract will be 4 years with options to extend.

Our Future Health may change the lotting structure, scope, term of contract and procurement procedure as a result of the market engagement.

Our Future Health would like to undertake pre-marketing engagement activities following this PIN and invites interested parties to contact [email protected] if they should like to be considered for involvement.

The intention to hold pre-procurement engagement meetings during the week commencing 10th May 2021, these will be held remotely, the exact date and time to be confirmed. To enable arrangements for the supplier engagement meetings, interested organisations are required to send an expression of interest via email to [email protected] by no later than 17:00 hrs (GMT) on 5th May. We will then send a short questionnaire for you to complete in advance of the presentation and meeting. There will be a presentation and group Q&A session for all suppliers. Suppliers will be invited to an individual Q&A and feedback session.

The supplier engagement will be held in accordance with Regulation 40 & 41 of the Public Contract Regulations 2015.

Delivery: North West · TBC
Lot #2Genotype assay - design/manufactureRenewalPublished value£56,000,000

NOTE: The design and manufacture can happen outside of the Place of Performance but all genotyping and data processing of Customer-supplied quality control must be conducted within the boundaries of the Place of Performance.

The aim of Our Future Health is to recruit up to five million adults from across the UK to take part in the largest research study of its kind. Participants will be asked to provide information about their health and lifestyles and small sample of their blood.

We will ask for permission to combine the information and samples that they give us with existing information about them, including their health records. Adding these additional types of information will help to build a more comprehensive picture of health and wellbeing that could be relevant to understanding what changes people's risk of disease.

Combining these multiple sources of health and health-relevant information, including genetic data, will create an incredibly detailed picture that represents the whole of the UK. Researchers will use this information to make new discoveries about human health and diseases.

We will use the health information, including genetic data, to calculate disease risk scores for participants in Our Future Health where possible. Based on these risk profiles, it might be possible to better identify individuals who are at higher risk of developing certain diseases. This will provide an opportunity to test the potential of new diagnostic tests or treatments as they are discovered and to see how effective they could be for people at higher risk of certain diseases. This will also mean Our Future Health can facilitate research addressing important questions about the potential uses of new 'genetic risk scores' in health care.

In order to achieve this aim, Our Future Health needs to contract for services to design, manufacture and quality control assess a genotype assay that could be applied to process 5 million participants with the aim to commence an agreement from December 2021. Additional information: To respond to this opportunity please click here: www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/3XGB99977T ↗

Access code for Lot 5 is 3XGB99977T

Delivery: North West · EAST OF ENGLAND,LONDON,EAST MIDLANDS (ENGLAND),WEST MIDLANDS (ENGLAND),WALES,SCOTLAND,SOUTH EAST (ENGLAND),SOUTH WEST (ENGLAND),YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER,NORTH WEST (ENGLAND),NORTH EAST (ENGLAND)
Extensions: The contract includes options to provide additional services which are detailed in the procurement documents · Extensions of up to 12 months (per renewal) subject to a maximum Term of 7 years in total.Variant bids: not allowed
Lot #3Genotyping service provisionRenewalPublished value£26,000,000

The aim of Our Future Health is to recruit up to five million adults from across the UK to take part in the largest research study of its kind. Participants will be asked to provide information about their health and lifestyles and small sample of their blood.

We will ask for permission to combine the information and samples that they give us with existing information about them, including their health records. Adding these additional types of information will help to build a more comprehensive picture of health and wellbeing that could be relevant to understanding what changes people's risk of disease.

Combining these multiple sources of health and health-relevant information, including genetic data, will create an incredibly detailed picture that represents the whole of the UK. Researchers will use this information to make new discoveries about human health and diseases.

We will use the health information, including genetic data, to calculate disease risk scores for participants in Our Future Health where possible. Based on these risk profiles, it might be possible to better identify individuals who are at higher risk of developing certain diseases. This will provide an opportunity to test the potential of new diagnostic tests or treatments as they are discovered and to see how effective they could be for people at higher risk of certain diseases. This will also mean Our Future Health can facilitate research addressing important questions about the potential uses of new 'genetic risk scores' in health care.

In order to achieve this aim, Our Future Health needs to contract for services to genotype 5 million DNA samples using the genotype assay designed and manufactured by the awarded supplier of Lot 5, conduct genotype calling, and provide all results back to the Our Future Health. Additional information: To respond to this opportunity please click here: www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/67M68523U5 ↗

Access code for Lot 6 is 67M68523U5

Delivery: North West · EAST OF ENGLAND,LONDON,EAST MIDLANDS (ENGLAND),WEST MIDLANDS (ENGLAND),WALES,SCOTLAND,SOUTH EAST (ENGLAND),SOUTH WEST (ENGLAND),YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER,NORTH WEST (ENGLAND),NORTH EAST (ENGLAND)
Extensions: The contract includes options to provide additional services which are detailed in the procurement documents · Extensions of up to 12 months (per renewal) subject to a maximum Term of 7 years in total.Variant bids: not allowed
Lot #4Sample Storage and Access ManagementRenewalPublished value£65,000,000

he aim of Our Future Health is to recruit up to five million adults from across the UK to take part in the largest research study of its kind. Participants will be asked to provide information about their health and lifestyles and small sample of their blood.

We will ask for permission to combine the information and samples that they give us with existing information about them, including their health records. Adding these additional types of information will help to build a more comprehensive picture of health and wellbeing that could be relevant to understanding what changes people's risk of disease.

Combining these multiple sources of health and health-relevant information, including genetic data, will create an incredibly detailed picture that represents the whole of the UK. Researchers will use this information to make new discoveries about human health and diseases.

We will use the health information, including genetic data, to calculate disease risk scores for participants in Our Future Health where possible. Based on these risk profiles, it might be possible to better identify individuals who are at higher risk of developing certain diseases. This will provide an opportunity to test the potential of new diagnostic tests or treatments as they are discovered and to see how effective they could be for people at higher risk of certain diseases. This will also mean Our Future Health can facilitate research addressing important questions about the potential uses of new 'genetic risk scores' in health care.

In order to achieve this aim, Our Future Health needs to contract for services for automated, ultra-low temperature, long term storage of up to 45 million cryovials of plasma, buffy coat, and DNA as well as access management of these samples. Additional information: To respond to this opportunity please click here: www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/4V872ZFEMH ↗

Access code for Lot 7 is 4V872ZFEMH

Delivery: North West · EAST OF ENGLAND,LONDON,EAST MIDLANDS (ENGLAND),WEST MIDLANDS (ENGLAND),WALES,SOUTH EAST (ENGLAND),SOUTH WEST (ENGLAND),YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER,NORTH WEST (ENGLAND),NORTH EAST (ENGLAND)
Extensions: The contract includes options to provide additional services which are detailed in the procurement documents. · Extensions of up to 36 months (per renewal) subject to a maximum Term of 14 years in total.Variant bids: not allowed
Lot #5Biological sample Receipt & ProcessingRenewalPublished value£54,500,000

The aim of Our Future Health is to recruit up to five million adults from across the UK to take part in the largest research study of its kind. Participants will be asked to provide information about their health and lifestyles and small sample of their blood.

We will ask for permission to combine the information and samples that they give us with existing information about them, including their health records. Adding these additional types of information will help to build a more comprehensive picture of health and wellbeing that could be relevant to understanding what changes people's risk of disease.

Combining these multiple sources of health and health-relevant information, including genetic data, will create an incredibly detailed picture that represents the whole of the UK. Researchers will use this information to make new discoveries about human health and diseases.

We will use the health information, including genetic data, to calculate disease risk scores for participants in Our Future Health where possible. Based on these risk profiles, it might be possible to better identify individuals who are at higher risk of developing certain diseases. This will provide an opportunity to test the potential of new diagnostic tests or treatments as they are discovered and to see how effective they could be for people at higher risk of certain diseases. This will also mean Our Future Health can facilitate research addressing important questions about the potential uses of new 'genetic risk scores' in health care.

In order to achieve this aim, Our Future Health needs to contract for services to process 2 x 6 ml EDTA blood samples from each of the 5 million participants with the aim to commence from December 2021. Processing will include barcode scanning receipt, fraction separation by centrifugation, aliquoting of plasma and buffy coat, DNA extraction, quantification and normalisation, temporary storage at low and ultra-low temperatures, effective IT and LIMS for tracking all child aliquots, and shipment of specimens for long term storage or genotyping. Additional information: To respond to this opportunity please click here: www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/67M68523U5 ↗

Access code for Lot 1 is; 67M68523U5

Delivery: North West · EAST OF ENGLAND,LONDON,EAST MIDLANDS (ENGLAND),WEST MIDLANDS (ENGLAND),SOUTH EAST (ENGLAND),SOUTH WEST (ENGLAND),YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER,NORTH WEST (ENGLAND),NORTH EAST (ENGLAND)
Extensions: The contract includes options to provide additional services which are detailed in the procurement documents · Extensions of up to 12 months (per renewal) subject to a maximum Term of 7 years in totalVariant bids: not allowed
Lot #6Biological sample Receipt & ProcessingRenewalPublished value£5,200,000

The aim of Our Future Health is to recruit up to five million adults from across the UK to take part in the largest research study of its kind. Participants will be asked to provide information about their health and lifestyles and a small sample of their blood.

We will ask for permission to combine the information and samples that they give us with existing information about them, including their health records. Adding these additional types of information will help to build a more comprehensive picture of health and wellbeing that could be relevant to understanding what changes people's risk of disease.

Combining these multiple sources of health and health-relevant information, including genetic data, will create an incredibly detailed picture that represents the whole of the UK. Researchers will use this information to make new discoveries about human health and diseases.

We will use the health information, including genetic data, to calculate disease risk scores for participants in Our Future Health where possible. Based on these risk profiles, it might be possible to better identify individuals who are at higher risk of developing certain diseases. This will provide an opportunity to test the potential of new diagnostic tests or treatments as they are discovered and to see how effective they could be for people at higher risk of certain diseases. This will also mean Our Future Health can facilitate research addressing important questions about the potential uses of new 'genetic risk scores' in health care.

In order to achieve this aim, Our Future Health needs to contract for services to process 2 x 6 ml EDTA blood samples from each of the 5 million participants with the aim to commence from December 2021. barcode scanning receipt, fraction separation by centrifugation, aliquoting of plasma and buffy coat, DNA extraction, quantification and normalisation, samples at with temporary storage at low and ultra-low temperatures, effective IT and LIMS for tracking all child aliquots, and shipment of specimens for long term storage or genotyping. Additional information: To respond to this opportunity please click here: www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/639AY67J52 ↗

Access code for Lot 2 is 639AY67J52

Delivery: North West · SCOTLAND
Extensions: The contract includes options to provide additional services which are detailed in the procurement documents · Extensions of up to 12 months (per renewal) subject to a maximum Term of 7 years in total.Variant bids: not allowed
Lot #7Biological sample Receipt & ProcessingRenewalPublished value£3,200,000

The aim of Our Future Health is to recruit up to five million adults from across the UK to take part in the largest research study of its kind. Participants will be asked to provide information about their health and lifestyles and small sample of their blood.

We will ask for permission to combine the information and samples that they give us with existing information about them, including their health records. Adding these additional types of information will help to build a more comprehensive picture of health and wellbeing that could be relevant to understanding what changes people's risk of disease.

Combining these multiple sources of health and health-relevant information, including genetic data, will create an incredibly detailed picture that represents the whole of the UK. Researchers will use this information to make new discoveries about human health and diseases. We will use the health information, including genetic data, to calculate disease risk scores for participants in Our Future Health where possible. Based on these risk profiles, it might be possible to better identify individuals who are at higher risk of developing certain diseases. This will provide an opportunity to test the potential of new diagnostic tests or treatments as they are discovered and to see how effective they could be for people at higher risk of certain diseases. This will also mean Our Future Health can facilitate research addressing important questions about the potential uses of new 'genetic risk scores' in health care.

In order to achieve this aim, Our Future Health needs to contract for services to process 2 x 6 ml EDTA blood samples from each of the 5 million participants with the aim to commence from December 2021. Processing will include barcode scanning receipt, fraction separation by centrifugation, aliquoting of plasma and buffy coat, DNA extraction, quantification and normalisation, temporary storage at low and ultra-low temperatures, effective IT and LIMS for tracking all child aliquots, and shipment of specimens for long term storage or genotyping. Additional information: To respond to this opportunity please click here: www.deltaesourcing.com/respond/639AY67J52 ↗

Access code for Lot 3 is 639AY67J52

Delivery: North West · WALES
Extensions: The contract includes options to provide additional services which are detailed in the procurement documents · Extensions of up to 12 months (per renewal) subject to a maximum Term of 7 years in total.Variant bids: not allowed
Lot #8Biological sample Receipt & ProcessingRenewalPublished value£2,100,000

The aim of Our Future Health is to recruit up to five million adults from across the UK to take part in the largest research study of its kind. Participants will be asked to provide information about their health and lifestyles and small sample of their blood.

We will ask for permission to combine the information and samples that they give us with existing information about them, including their health records. Adding these additional types of information will help to build a more comprehensive picture of health and wellbeing that could be relevant to understanding what changes people's risk of disease.

Combining these multiple sources of health and health-relevant information, including genetic data, will create an incredibly detailed picture that represents the whole of the UK. Researchers will use this information to make new discoveries about human health and diseases.

We will use the health information, including genetic data, to calculate disease risk scores for participants in Our Future Health where possible. Based on these risk profiles, it might be possible to better identify individuals who are at higher risk of developing certain diseases. This will provide an opportunity to test the potential of new diagnostic tests or treatments as they are discovered and to see how effective they could be for people at higher risk of certain diseases. This will also mean Our Future Health can facilitate research addressing important questions about the potential uses of new 'genetic risk scores' in health care.

In order to achieve this aim, Our Future Health needs to contract for services to process 2 x 6 ml EDTA blood samples from each of the 5 million participants with the aim to commence from December 2021. Processing will include barcode scanning receipt, fraction separation by centrifugation, aliquoting of plasma and buffy coat, DNA extraction, quantification and normalisation, temporary storage at low and ultra-low temperatures, effective IT and LIMS for tracking all child aliquots, and shipment of specimens for long term storage or genotyping. Additional information: To respond to this opportunity please click here: www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/639AY67J52 ↗

Access code for Lot 4 is 639AY67J52

Delivery: North West · NORTHERN IRELAND
Extensions: The contract includes options to provide additional services which are detailed in the procurement documents · Extensions of up to 12 months (per renewal) subject to a maximum Term of 7 years in total.Variant bids: not allowed

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record · publisher note attached
Procedure method
Open procedure
Legal basis
CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Closed
Procurement threshold
Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
No (one-off requirement)
First published
17 Apr 2021, 07:10 BST
Last source update
13 Aug 2021, 18:15 BST
Award evaluation window
17 Sept 2021 – …
FTS notice number
2021/S 000-019818
Classification (CPV)
Blood analysis servicesLaboratory servicesPathology servicesResearch laboratory servicesResearch services
Delivery area
UKNorth East (UKC)North West (UKD)Yorkshire & Humber (UKE)East Midlands (UKF)West Midlands (UKG)East of England (UKH)London (UKI)
+4 moreSouth East (UKJ)South West (UKK)Wales (UKL)Scotland (UKM)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-02a73b Find a Tender
Contract terms
Electronic trading
e-invoicing allowed · electronic payment

Publisher note: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Manchester:-Research-laboratory-services./67M68523U5 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/67M68523U5 GO Reference: GO-2021813-PRO-18735778

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: Delta eSourcing · Who buys & how to bid on Delta
Public notice page · account needed to bidLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free Select account; no DUNS asked at signup
Submission deadline
16 Sept 2021, 17:00 BST
Submission channel
{"electronicSubmission","written"}
Accepted languages
en
Bid validity
150 days from the deadline
Bids opened
17 Sept 2021, 08:00 BST
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Timeline

30 Jun 2021 → 17 Sept 2021 · 4 dates
  1. Next notice expected
    30 Jun 2021, 00:00 BST
  2. Notice published
    13 Aug 2021, 18:15 BST
  3. Submission deadline
    16 Sept 2021, 17:00 BST
  4. Bids opened
    17 Sept 2021, 08:00 BST

Notice history

5 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 13 Aug 2021
  1. Published value published: £212,000,000
    13 Aug 2021, 18:15 BST
  2. Status changed to active
    13 Aug 2021, 18:15 BST
  3. Procurement method changed
    13 Aug 2021, 18:15 BST
  4. Deadline published: 16 Sept 2021, 17:00 BST
    13 Aug 2021, 18:15 BST
  5. Buyer details updated
    13 Aug 2021, 18:15 BST

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

2 public bodies on the notice

Our Future Health (Akeso&Co acting on behalf of)

Contracting authorityBody governed by public lawHealth Research and DevelopmentHealth Research and Development London, UKContact name, email

Dispute resolution & review bodies

  • Akeso & CoReview body London

Official documents & specifications (2)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

  • Economic and financial selection criteriatenderEconomic and financial selection criteria
  • Technical selection criteriatenderTechnical selection criteria