UKHSA_Scientific- Provision of a DNA Synthesiser

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) requires the provision of a DNA Synthesiser for use in its Diagnostic Evaluations and Innovations team laboratories. The team requires the provision of a laboratory-based easy- to-use DNA synthesizer, consumables and maintenance services which will allow for on-demand synthesis of custom DNA oligos, suitable for use in real-time qPCR applications, sequencing and for gene-synthesis use. These ready-to-use oligos will be used in a range of molecular biology and genomics applications, capable of producing modified oligos with fluorophores, quenchers, and biotin. <br/>These oligos will be used to support UKHSA outbreak response activities. They will be required for the evaluation of diagnostic assays, to assure rapid assay development, particularly for high consequence pathogens. <br/>UKHSA is planning to award a contract to DNA Script, Inc. for the DNA synthesiser, associated maintenance and consumables as we believe that they are the only supplier capable of meeting our technical requirements.<br/>The DNA synthesiser needs to be able to meet below requirements.<br/>• 15–120 nt de novo synthesis of oligos (A, T, G, and C)<br/>• Synthesize labelled and unlabelled oligos<br/>• Enzymatic synthesis so no harsh organic solvents<br/>• Produces ready-to-use oligos for molecular biology and genomics applications<br/>• Capability to produce single or dual labelled qPCR probes (fluorophores & quenchers) compatible with FAM, HEX and CY5 channels<br/>• Flexibility for up to 96 oligos per run<br/>• Parallel synthesis in 96-well plates<br/>• Short set up time (<45 min)<br/>• Capacity for same day synthesis of short oligos (<30 nt)<br/>• Capacity for unattended overnight operation<br/>• Quantification & normalisation capabilities<br/>• Ability to upload sequence files for synthesis using text based (csv) and/or MS excel-based file formats<br/>• Laboratory benchtop operation with unit(s) footprint smaller than (1.3 M Width x 0.8 m Depth x 0.7 m Height)<br/>• Ambient temperature operating requirement<br/>• Weight of unit(s) < 170 kg<br/>• 240-volt electrical requirement<br/>• Capability for network free on-premise operation<br/>• USB capabilities<br/>• Ethernet capabilities<br/>• Error rates equivalent or lower than traditional service providers<br/>• Yield Standard Oligos (15-80nt) > 500 pmol<br/>• Yield standard labelled Oligos (15-80nt) > 250 pmol<br/>• Capacity for 384 well plate production of oligos<br/>As part of our pre-procurement market engagement, we sent a request for information to our National Microbiology Framework Lot 1 suppliers (over 130 suppliers). None of the suppliers were able to meet our requirements.<br/>As the laboratories’ requirements are very specialised, we believe that only the SYNTAX STX-200 SYSTEM from DNA Script is capable of performing the work carried out by the laboratory.<br/>If you feel that you have a solution which could meet our requirements, please email science.tendering@ukhsa.gov.uk by no later than 5pm on 29th August 2024 with more information about your proposed solution.