Public procurement notice: Contract Notice
Published: 2016-09-20
Buyer: University of Southampton
Country: UK
Region: Southampton
Contract type: Supplies
Procedure: Open procedure
CPV classification: 33100000 | 33190000 | 38000000 | 38430000 | 38432000
Estimated value: 214000 GBP
Submission deadline: 2016-10-25
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: The Faculty of Medicine within the University of Southampton is looking to contract for the provision of a single cell analysis system.
It was once assumed the cell populations were homogeneous, but the latest evidence shows that heterogeneity does in fact exist even at the single cell level. Genomic and transcriptional measurements based on the homogenized cell population are misleading and don't account for the small but critical changes occurring in the individual cells.
The University of Southampton requires a flexible and quantitative system to assess (epi) genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic, difference at the single cell level, termed ‘omics’ hereafter.
The Faculty of Medicine within the University of Southampton is looking to contract for the provision of a single cell analysis system.
It was once assumed the cell populations were homogeneous, but the latest evidence shows that heterogeneity does in fact exist even at the single cell level. Genomic and transcriptional measurements based on the homogenized cell population are misleading and don't account for the small but critical changes occurring in the individual cells.
The University of Southampton requires a flexible and quantitative system to assess (epi) genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic, difference at the single cell level, termed ‘omics’ hereafter.
The contract is NOT suitable for splitting into LOTS. The risk of dividing the requirement into Lots would render execution of the contract excessively technically difficult, not cost effective and would undermine proper execution of the contract.
The University proposes to enter into a 1-year Contract for a maximum period of four years — this will be the maximum contract period, including any potential extensions with the successful Tenderer.
This will comprise of an initial contract period of one year for the provision of the equipment including a one year warranty with an option to extend by a further three years for extended support and maintenance subject to satisfactory performance and at the discretion of the University. The Contract will be effective on signing, the initial term of the warranty of 1 year will run from the date of delivery of the equipment with extensions if agreed, running from the expiry of the initial term, if so agreed by the University. The Contract will be for a maximum of 4 years from the date of delivery.
In addition, there may be an optional requirement for the provision of additional software licences if this is applicable to the proposal provided by the successful bidder.
The initial estimated contract value for this requirement is in the region of 170 000 GBP over a 1 year period.
The estimated value excluding VAT, provided below, is the overall potential value of the contract taking into account the option to extend up to an additional 3 years.
There will be an option built into the contract to allow an extension of an additional 3 years beyond the initial contract period.
The Contracting Authority reserves the right to require deposits, guarantees, bonds, warranties and other forms of appropriate security.
No special legal form will be required for bidding purposes but the University will require to contract with a legal entity.

Eligibility requirements: To support the financial assessment, the University will obtain a financial appraisal report from CreditSafe. This report provides the University with an overall Risk Score, which will be used to assess the applicant's financial standing. The University reserves the right to exclude or request provision of further assurances, such as parent company/bank guarantee or performance bonds, where bidders financial scoring is classed as ‘Satisfactory — Below Expectations’ (49-30) or Poor (29 or below). Organisations are advised that a requirement of this tender is to have in place, or commit to obtain prior to the commencement of the contract, the following minimum insurance levels: Employers (Compulsory) Liability: 10 000 000 GBP per occurrence Public Liability: 10 000 000 GBP per occurrence Product Liability: 10 000 000 GBP per occurrence and in the aggregate Professional Indemnity 5 000 000 GBP per occurrence All values stated are in GBP. As defined in the ITT documentation. Full information is provided in the ITT documentation, however tenderers attention is drawn to the MANDATORY requirements around the following areas outlined in File 7 of the ITT: 1. Able to identify gene expression, genomic copy number variation and mutations/SNPs. 2. Ability to measure omic difference in material from small or large amounts of cells is also required, including the possibility of digital PCR. 3. Ability to process standard microplate formats. 4. Performance of Reactions. 5. Modular system. 6. Nanolitre reaction volumes. 7. Ability to prepare libraries. 8. Ability to multiples targets into single cells. 9. Fluid controller options. 10. LED excitation sources. 11. Emission filters. 12. Detection requirements. 13. Size limitations of system. 14. Training requirements. 15. Software and compatibility. 16. Data generation. 17. Warranty. 18. Technical support.
To support the financial assessment, the University will obtain a financial appraisal report from CreditSafe. This report provides the University with an overall Risk Score, which will be used to assess the applicant's financial standing. The University reserves the right to exclude or request provision of further assurances, such as parent company/bank guarantee or performance bonds, where bidders financial scoring is classed as ‘Satisfactory — Below Expectations’ (49-30) or Poor (29 or below). Organisations are advised that a requirement of this tender is to have in place, or commit to obtain prior to the commencement of the contract, the following minimum insurance levels: Employers (Compulsory) Liability: 10 000 000 GBP per occurrence Public Liability: 10 000 000 GBP per occurrence Product Liability: 10 000 000 GBP per occurrence and in the aggregate Professional Indemnity 5 000 000 GBP per occurrence All values stated are in GBP.
To support the financial assessment, the University will obtain a financial appraisal report from CreditSafe. This report provides the University with an overall Risk Score, which will be used to assess the applicant's financial standing. The University reserves the right to exclude or request provision of further assurances, such as parent company/bank guarantee or performance bonds, where bidders financial scoring is classed as ‘Satisfactory — Below Expectations’ (49-30) or Poor (29 or below).
Organisations are advised that a requirement of this tender is to have in place, or commit to obtain prior to the commencement of the contract, the following minimum insurance levels: Employers (Compulsory) Liability: 10 000 000 GBP per occurrence Public Liability: 10 000 000 GBP per occurrence Product Liability: 10 000 000 GBP per occurrence and in the aggregate Professional Indemnity 5 000 000 GBP per occurrence All values stated are in GBP.
As defined in the ITT documentation. Full information is provided in the ITT documentation, however tenderers attention is drawn to the MANDATORY requirements around the following areas outlined in File 7 of the ITT: 1. Able to identify gene expression, genomic copy number variation and mutations/SNPs. 2. Ability to measure omic difference in material from small or large amounts of cells is also required, including the possibility of digital PCR. 3. Ability to process standard microplate formats. 4. Performance of Reactions. 5. Modular system. 6. Nanolitre reaction volumes. 7. Ability to prepare libraries. 8. Ability to multiples targets into single cells. 9. Fluid controller options. 10. LED excitation sources. 11. Emission filters. 12. Detection requirements. 13. Size limitations of system. 14. Training requirements. 15. Software and compatibility. 16. Data generation. 17. Warranty. 18. Technical support.
As defined in the ITT documentation.
Full information is provided in the ITT documentation, however tenderers attention is drawn to the MANDATORY requirements around the following areas outlined in File 7 of the ITT: 1. Able to identify gene expression, genomic copy number variation and mutations/SNPs. 2. Ability to measure omic difference in material from small or large amounts of cells is also required, including the possibility of digital PCR. 3. Ability to process standard microplate formats. 4. Performance of Reactions. 5. Modular system. 6. Nanolitre reaction volumes. 7. Ability to prepare libraries. 8. Ability to multiples targets into single cells. 9. Fluid controller options. 10. LED excitation sources. 11. Emission filters. 12. Detection requirements. 13. Size limitations of system. 14. Training requirements. 15. Software and compatibility. 16. Data generation. 17. Warranty. 18. Technical support.