Published date: 7 November 2022

Last edited date: 7 November 2022

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: 23 November 2022, 12pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Research and development services and related consultancy services - 73000000

Location of contract

EC1M 6BU

Value of contract

£100,000

Procurement reference

tender_336515/1144046

Published date

7 November 2022

Closing date

23 November 2022

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

3 January 2023

Contract end date

28 March 2023

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (below threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements below the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

Genomics England's Newborns Genome Programme is co-designing and running an NHS-embedded research study to explore the benefits, challenges, and practicalities of sequencing and analysing the genomes of newborns through using whole genome sequencing (WGS). The evidence gathered from the study will be evaluated rigorously to inform decisions about whether to roll-out this technology and develop the world's first national newborn screening programme that uses whole genome sequencing.

One of the Programme's objectives is to understand how newborns' genomic and health data could be used for discovery research - for example, to enable the development of new diagnostics and treatments. With parents' consent, babies' genomes could be de-identified and added, alongside their health data, to Genomics England's National Genomic Research Library. This would enable carefully vetted academic, clinical, and life science industry researchers to develop novel diagnostics and treatments as well as understand how current therapies can be improved or repurposed, offering better outcomes to NHS patients.

We are aware of particular sensitivities in society generally around the long-term storage and use of genomic and related health data in the context of research. To address these concerns, to date we have carried out small-scale in-house research with mothers or expectant mothers, where we have explored their feelings around how researchers could access and use newborns' genomes for research. However, this procurement aims to broaden these discussions, and unpack people's views on various options and approaches for the Programme's discovery research strategy.

This procurement will support these aims, enabling in-depth exploration of attitudes and views on different types of data that could be drawn on for the Programme's research strategy, the acceptable and appropriate scope of research on these data, and specific mechanisms for creating a trustworthy system for doing so.

To find out more about this opportunity and access the tender documents please register at https://genomicsengland.bravosolution.co.uk/genomicsengland/web/login.html and search for project_821

About the buyer

Contact name

Commercial Procurement Team

Address

Dawson Hall, Charterhouse Square
London
EC1M 6BU
England

Email

supplier.engagement@genomicsengland.co.uk

Website

www.genomicsengland.co.uk