Summary of the contracting process

The University of Southampton has recently completed a procurement process for a Benchtop Sequencing System under the "award" stage, facilitated via the LAB2010 NE Framework Lot 1 framework direct award call-off. The procurement, classified within the "Geological and geophysical instruments" under the CPV code 38200000, involves a contract valued at GBP 78,216. This initiative addresses the requirement for a next-generation sequencing system to replace the current benchtop short-read platform. The contract, awarded to Illumina UK, Limited, commences on 18th June 2025 and is set to conclude on 15th July 2026. The procurement follows a selective method, providing a focused approach to selecting suitable suppliers, and specifies delivery to the South East region of the United Kingdom.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in high-throughput sequencing technologies. The procurement underscores the demand for advanced sequencing capabilities, such as those capable of producing up to 15 Gigabases (Gb) of data and maintaining high quality outputs above Q30 across runs. Businesses that can offer advanced sequencing systems, particularly those with experience in handling large-scale genomic data using short-read, paired-end sequencing methodologies, would find this tender advantageous. Such an opportunity is particularly suitable for SMEs, as noted in the tender details, allowing them to establish or strengthen their foothold in the competitive sequencing equipment market.

Award

Benchtop Sequencing System

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON

Contract Timeline

Publication Date

18th June 2025 09:42:37 AM
Contract Summary

The Environmental Sequencing Facility requires a next-generation sequencing system that serves as a direct, enhanced replacement for its current benchtop short-read platform, which is being discontinued by the manufacturer. This new instrument must maintain compatibility with established short-read, paired end sequencing-by-synthesis chemistries and data analysis pipelines, while delivering significantly increased throughput and faster turnaround times. Critical features must include robust performance for applications such as amplicon and whole-genome sequencing, and the ability for the instrument to produce up to 15 Gigabases (Gb) of sequencing data when based around 2 X 300 base pair (bp) sequencing chemistry, and a capability to generate up to 50 million reads per sequencing run. To ensure sequencing quality is maintained with this replacement, the platform must retain an average per-base quality score of over 80% higher than Q30 (phred quality score) across the entire sequencing run. This procurement was facilitated via the LAB2010 NE Framework Lot 1 framework direct award call-off
Contract Details

Open Contracting ID

ocds-b5fd17-8ce6ce93-089b-49c3-9c5f-94ec6aadb6c4

Publication Source

Contracts Finder

Procurement Stage

Award

Procurement Method

Selective

Procurement Method Details

Call-off From A Framework Agreement

Procurement Category

Goods

Tender Suitability

SME

Framework / DPS

Framework
Contract Classification

CPV Code(s)

38200000

CPV Division(s)

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
Awarding Authority

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON

Buyer Name

Buyer Email

procurement@soton.ac.uk

Buyer Phone

Buyer Address

BUILDING 37, HIGHFIELD CAMPUS,UNIVERSITY ROAD

SOUTHAMPTON

SO171BJ

England
Awarded Supplier(s)

Supplier Name(s)

ILLUMINA UK, LIMITED

View contract on Contracts Finder

Benchtop Sequencing System

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON

Contract Timeline

Contract Summary

Contract Details

Contract Classification

Awarding Authority

Awarded Supplier(s)