Public procurement notice: Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Published: 2020-01-30
Buyer: North Bristol NHS Trust
Country: UK
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Contract award without prior publication
CPV classification: 85111000: Hospital services | 85111800
Estimated value: 779625 GBP
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: The South West Genomic Hub Laboratory (SWGLH) based at North Bristol NHS Trust requires a large, high throughput DNA Sequencer for the processing new cancer panels at significant volume. The NovaSeq 6000 system provides the throughput, speed, and flexibility to complete next-generation sequencing (NGS) projects faster and more economically than ever before. A choice of 4 flow cell formats, multiple read length configurations, and the ability to run one or 2 flow cells simultaneously enable data output ranging from ~80 Gb-6000 Gb per run, providing flexibility across a broad range of applications and study sizes. The NovaSeq 6000 system combines unmatched system output with rapid run times to deliver the highest daily throughput of any NGS system currently available. With preconfigured reagent cartridges, RFID-encoded consumables, a choice between fully automated on board cluster generation and an individual lane loading workflow, the NovaSeq 6000 System provides simple, streamline.
North Bristol NHS Trust is issuing this VEAT notice as the technical requirements of the high throughput next generation sequencing platform can only be met by one known supplier.
North Bristol Trust is seeking a NGS sequencing system which will be able to process a high capacity of activity and to facilitate this intends to award a contract to Illumina Cambridge Ltd.
NHS England has stated unequivocally that NHS cancer testing should move to a gene panel model. An investigation of the local testing portfolio suggests that > 70 % of the Trust's current range of tests could be condensed into a single gene panel. In this instance, the Trust would need the capacity to run in excess of 150 tests per week. The TTrust lacks the capacity to perform this volume of work on the current instruments, even if it did, the reagent costs would significantly exceed the costs of current testing.
To achieve the goal of efficient, cost effective workflows North Bristol Trust requires a very high capacity instrument to increase throughput, reduce turnaround times for reporting to molecular tumour boards, by purchasing a system that has a potential 1 day turnaround time (4 days for the full process DNA to data), generates up to 6 Tb of data (20 000 000 000 reads) per run and has cost effective reagent costs.
The NovaSeq would most likely be run in house using the S1 or S2 flowcells, with a capacity of 500 Gb or 1,25 Tb respectively. There are no other competing systems on the market with anything approaching this capacity. Switching to a ‘universal’ gene panel will allow an optimal workflow as all cancers will go on the same panel. This is likely to be around 500 genes. This is the only instrument on which the Trust could realistically run ctDNA sequencing for clinical purposes at sufficient depth to be clinically relevant.
Purchase of NovaSeq 6000 sequencing system with installation and training and 12 months warranty including parts and labour.
Purchase of Illumina Product Care NovaSeq 6000 comprehensive plan which includes full coverage for parts, labour and travel for 3 years contract.
North Bristol NHS Trust is issuing this VEAT notice as the technical requirements of the high throughput next generation sequencing platform can only be met by one known supplier.
North Bristol Trust is seeking a NGS sequencing system which will be able to process a high capacity of activity and to facilitate this intends to award a contract to Illumina Cambridge Ltd.
NHS England has stated unequivocally that NHS cancer testing should move to a gene panel model. An investigation of the local testing portfolio suggests that > 70 % of the Trust's current range of tests could be condensed into a single gene panel. In this instance, the Trust would need the capacity to run in excess of 150 tests per week. The TTrust lacks the capacity to perform this volume of work on the current instruments, even if it did, the reagent costs would significantly exceed the costs of current testing.
To achieve the goal of efficient, cost effective workflows North Bristol Trust requires a very high capacity instrument to increase throughput, reduce turnaround times for reporting to molecular tumour boards, by purchasing a system that has a potential 1 day turnaround time (4 days for the full process DNA to data), generates up to 6 Tb of data (20 000 000 000 reads) per run and has cost effective reagent costs.
The NovaSeq would most likely be run in house using the S1 or S2 flowcells, with a capacity of 500 Gb or 1,25 Tb respectively. There are no other competing systems on the market with anything approaching this capacity. Switching to a ‘universal’ gene panel will allow an optimal workflow as all cancers will go on the same panel. This is likely to be around 500 genes. This is the only instrument on which the Trust could realistically run ctDNA sequencing for clinical purposes at sufficient depth to be clinically relevant.
Purchase of NovaSeq 6000 sequencing system with installation and training and 12 months warranty including parts and labour.
Purchase of Illumina Product Care NovaSeq 6000 comprehensive plan which includes full coverage for parts, labour and travel for 3 years contract.


Winner: Illumina Cambridge Ltd
Award value: 779625