Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) Long Read Equipment & Consumables

Concepts

• laboratory reagents
• oxford nanopore technologies
• medical consumables
• genomics england
• whole genome
• long read technology
• wgs project genomics england
• successful sequencing objectives
• sequencing market
• primary sequencing instrument

Location

Hinxton, Cambridge

Description

A large-scale Long Read Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) project using Oxford Nanopore Technologies long read technology in order to evaluate its potential for clinical use in cancer.

Total Quantity or Scope

Genomics England has a Spending Review (SR) objective involving a large-scale long read whole genome sequencing (WGS) project. In order to deliver this long read WGS project Genomics England have engaged and are proposing to partner with Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited (ONT) to maximise its long read technology at scale to evaluate its potential for clinical use in cancer. This project requires sequencing at scale of around 2,000 germline:tumour pairs over the next 12 month period. A beneficial commercial agreement that represents the unique nature of the engagement in terms of technological development and value has been agreed between the parties to deliver the scope of this project in its entirety. ONT occupy a unique position in the sequencing market globally in terms of read length and throughput technology that makes this project viable. The primary sequencing instrument within this project is the Promethion P48 consuming Flowcell reagents and other associated consumables. A combination of these attributes will deliver the scaling required for the project and the commercial agreement between the parties ensures successful sequencing objectives for clinical use in cancer, within the 12 month SR period.

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• 33696500 - Laboratory reagents
• 33140000 - Medical consumables
• 33190000 - Miscellaneous medical devices and products
• 33696200 - Blood-testing reagents
• 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

Indicators

Legal Justification

The Contracting Authority (i) has a legal personality; (ii) is mainly funded by the Department of Health and Social Care; and (iii) has been established for the specific purpose of meeting needs in the general interest and does not have an industrial or commercial character and therefore meets the definition of a "body governed by public law" under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("PCR"). The PCR covers "public contracts" which means contracts for pecuniary interest which have as their object the execution of works, the supply of products or the provision of services. The Contract is a goods or services contract under PCR, therefore, caught by the PCR and bound to follow public procurement rules. Regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) PCR describes the single operator exclusion and is the premise for this award without prior publication. This specific exclusion relates to a demonstration that only Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited could deliver the goods and services described for technical reasons and reasons of scalability, where the goods and services cannot be obtained from any other economic operator to sufficiently meet the volume throughput of long read whole genome sequencing. The scope of requirements in this notice are the basis for this assessment. For technical reasons, it has been determined that Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited are the only provider able to meet the justified requirements set out. Furthermore, they are also the only organisation able to deliver the requirement at the scale specified. Further details are provided within this notice and should be read in conjunction with this explanation. The Contracting Authority will enter into a contract with Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited following the conclusion of a minimum 10-day standstill period from the date of issue of this notice. The 10-day standstill period will end on Thursday 25th March 2021 at 11.59pm GMT, enabling a contract to be signed on Friday 26th March 2021.