The supply of a commercial kit to prepare DNA libraries

NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT) intends to undertake a procurement tender exercise for the supply of a commercial kit to prepare DNA libraries. The DNA libraries must be suitable for Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) class I and class II typing by next generation sequencing (NGS) on the Illumina MiSeq NGS platform. The kit must prepare a DNA library from unpurified PCR products of HLA genes, ranging in size from approximately 5kb to 11kb comprising of the full length of an HLA gene, to a final pooled library and be capable of multiplexing a minimum of up to 192 samples. In addition, the commercial kit must have an approved automated protocol, which can be used on the liquid handling robots, with the option to perform the process manually for contingency planning requirements. Finally, the solution must allow the HLA class I and class II typing of at least 30,000 blood and haematopoietic stem cell donor registry donor samples per annum.<br/>Prior to commencing the formal procurement process, and to help inform our strategy, NHSBT would like to consult the market to improve our knowledge of all current and future systems available over the next four years to assess their potential application. This will aid identification of opportunities and gauge market interest in this field.<br/>Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics (H&I) is a strategic business function of NHS Blood and Transplant that provides a portfolio of testing, advice and support in transplantation, specialised transfusion including the supply of selected blood products, immunogenetics, platelet and granulocyte immunology.<br/>These services are supplied through a national network of six laboratories located at NHSBT Colindale, Birmingham, Filton (Bristol), Newcastle, Barnsley, and Tooting.<br/>These services support the diagnosis and/or treatment of a variety of medical conditions and are relevant in the following clinical areas:<br/>• Solid organ transplantation and clinical advice for donor selection <br/>• Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and clinical advice for donor selection <br/>• Blood transfusion and transfusion reactions (SHOT) <br/>• Platelet refractoriness and provision of HLA/HPA selected components <br/>• Platelet immunology <br/>• Granulocyte immunology <br/>• Immunogenetics including diagnostic testing and pharmacogenetics<br/>• Haematopoietic stem cell donor registry typing<br/><br/>Information gained from this exercise will be used to inform production of a detailed specification and subsequent advertisement of the tender.<br/><br/>Building on our strengths as a national provider, our strategic aim is for NHSBT H&I services to become the preferred provider and supplier of choice for H&I related services in the NHS. <br/>We would like to work with future suppliers to realise this ambition and to perform HLA typing by next generation sequencing technologies in an efficient, timely and cost-effective manner to meet the demands and expectations of our customers, donors and the patients we serve.<br/><br/>It is NHSBT's intention to hold a pre-procurement engagement day during the week commencing on 30/01/2023 on Microsoft Teams. (a set date will be communicated) To enable NHSBT to finalise arrangements (e.g. send meeting location details and agree time slots) for the supplier engagement meetings, interested organisations are required to send an expression of interest via email to coco.Otiotio@nhsbt.nhs.uk by no later than 17:00 hrs (GMT) on 10/01/23.<br/>This should include a list of your potential attendees and a brief of overview (or a<br/>website link) of the Goods / Services which might be offered. Please include options,<br/>if available, to offer a managed service contract.