Published date: 16 November 2023

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Closing: 30 November 2023, 5pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) - 38000000

Location of contract

E14 5EA

Value of contract

£260,000

Procurement reference

CF-2015100D0O000000rwimUAA

Published date

16 November 2023

Closing date

30 November 2023

Closing time

5pm

Contract start date

1 December 2023

Contract end date

30 November 2024

Contract type

Supply contract

Procedure type

Call-off from a framework agreement

A mini-competition or direct purchase from a pre-established framework agreement.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No

Description

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is planning to award a contract via 2020/S 217-533940: UKHSA National Microbiology Framework Lot 1- Diagnostics to Don Whitley Scientific Ltd for the provision of a WASPLab processing module and WASPLab picking station for use at its Manchester site. The equipment will be used for the processing and culturing of urine, MRSA, ear, eye, nose, and throat, etc. swabs and samples.
UKHSA believes that, following discussions with other distributors of Copan WASPLab processing modules and picking stations, Don Whitley Scientific Ltd is the only supplier capable of providing the equipment we require.
The laboratory has several pieces of WASPLab equipment and software, provided by Don Whitley, currently installed and operational. Any new equipment would need to be compatible with the existing WASPLab instruments and software and be scalable for future projects. The equipment would also need to be able to be networked into the existing data centre which runs the other lines and be able to integrate into a full line with a double incubator and Copan imaging module in the future.
During our discussions with other Copan WASPLab equipment distributors, we were informed that none of the distributors would be able to integrate their servers into our existing Don Whitley servers, due to risks surrounding liability if there was a problem with the server or the server needed to be maintained or upgraded. This would mean that an additional server tower would be required specifically for an alternative supplier's equipment. Given the size constraints of the laboratory, we would not be able to accept a solution that requires installing an additional server tower. Given this, and the unacceptable liability risks preventing alternative suppliers from integrating their servers into our existing server tower, we believe that Don Whitley Scientific Ltd would be the only supplier capable of meeting our requirements.
If you have a solution which you believe could meet our requirements, please send a copy of your quote and information about the equipment you can provide to science.tendering@ukhsa.gov.uk by no later than 5pm on 30th November 2023.

About the buyer

Contact name

Science Tendering

Address

10 South Colonnade
London
E14 5EA
United Kingdom

Email

science.tendering@ukhsa.gov.uk