External Frozen Storage for Archive Samples and Reagent Grade Plasma.

Descriptions

SNBTS require a contract to cover the supply of External Frozen Storage for Archive Samples and Reagent Grade Plasma. This contract will cover the following areas:a) Donor Services.b) Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (H&I) Samples.c) Reagent Grade Plasma.a) In SNBTS Donor services has a sample archive that has been maintained since October 1984. From 1984-1998 a variety of archive storage methods and locations were introduced across the Service. In 1998 the archive sample changed from a serum sample stored in a deep-well archive plate to a plasma sample within an individual bar-coded PPT vacutainer (13 x 100 mm).This retention of this bar-coded tube as the archive sample is advantageous in assuring sample integrity, allowing accurate identification and retrieval when required and storing both plasma and cellular material (separated by a gel barrier) for future investigations.The current archive is approaching 30 years and in the region of eight million samples. To date SNBTS have approximately 300 pallets in a variety of pallet styles in storage.b) In SNBTS H&I a sample archive has been maintained since December 2005 within the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. A variety of sample archive tubes have been utilised since 2005. Since July 2014, samples have been archived in individual bar-coded PP 2 ml Micro tubes.This retention of this bar-coded tube as the archive sample is advantageous in assuring sample integrity, allowing accurate identification and retrieval for future investigationsThe current archive is approaching 10 years and is in the region of 15,000 serum samples and 9600 DNA samples.c) SNBTS also requires storage of reagent grade plasma units (~250 mls per unit) for a shorter period. One to two pallets per week will normally be sent for storage until pick up by a third party approximately 6/7 times per year. Approximately 260 archive sample and reagent grade plasma on Euro Blue and UK pallets [~220 long term storage (samples) and ~40 pallets (plasma) incoming and leaving approximately 6/7 times per year — collected by third party].There is a requirement to store the materials at -20 C or below in a secure freezer with an appropriate temperature monitoring system. An external facility/Service Provider is sought to carry out this function. Pallets will be transported to the contracted external facility by SNBTS.Note: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=402470.The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspxSuppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.