Support of existing Column Agglutination Testing (CAT) equipment

Descriptions

Red Cell Immunohaematology (RCI) is a specialist function within the Diagnostics and Therapeutic Services Directorate of NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). The RCI Reference Laboratories provide antibody resolution and red cell typing on samples referred from Hospital Transfusion Laboratories, clinics, and other departments within NHSBT. Reference services are provided from Birmingham, Colindale, Filton (Bristol), Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield and Tooting. Column Agglutination Technology (CAT) equipment is in use in RCI laboratories to achieve the testing described above, the equipment in use is supplied by Bio-Rad and includes IH-1000 analysers, centrifuges, and incubators to support manual testing using Bio-Rad consumables., NHSBT published a PIN in October 2018 under OJEU Reference: 2018/S 199-450157. During pre-engagement, due to an ongoing strategic review of capital allocation in NHSBT, the Authority was required to re-consider the procurement strategy. NHSBT has currently a requirement for maintenance and bespoke consumables for the existing Column Agglutination Technology (CAT) equipment. The market is currently limited to one supplier only that is able to meet NHSBT's requirements for this tender. The supply of maintenance and consumables is needed to meet the current and future needs of NHSBT, in a cost effective manner. Therefore, following a negotiated procedure NHSBT awarded a 2 year agreement with 1 year option to extend for the support of existing Column Agglutination Testing systems (IH-1000 machines) to Bio-Rad Laboratories Ltd.