Award

(VEAT Notice) - Helium-4 Optically Pumped Magnetometer (OPM-MEG) Supply, Installation, Service and Maintenance

ASTON UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

08 Dec 2023 at 16:17

Award Notice
Tender

18 Oct 2023 at 10:59

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Aston University has awarded a contract to Mag4Health for the supply, installation, service, and maintenance of a Helium-4 Optically Pumped Magnetometer (OPM-MEG) system. The contract, valued at £1,600,000 GBP, will run from February 2024 to January 2029. This procurement process was conducted as a negotiated procedure without prior publication, and the tender period ended on October 30, 2023. The University will not enter the proposed contract before October 31, 2023. The procurement falls under the industry category of Laboratory, optical and precision equipment.

This tender from Aston University presents an opportunity for businesses providing technical solutions in the field of laboratory, optical, and precision equipment. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may find this tender particularly suitable for their capabilities. The procurement method used was a negotiated procedure without prior publication, indicating a specific need for a unique technology solution that Mag4Health was identified as the only supplier able to meet. Businesses interested in collaborating with Aston University in the long term should consider aligning their offerings with the OPM-MEG technology requirements stated in the contract.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo
All Features Pricing

Notice Information

Notice Title

(VEAT Notice) - Helium-4 Optically Pumped Magnetometer (OPM-MEG) Supply, Installation, Service and Maintenance

Notice Description

Aston University is putting out this notice as a VEAT (Voluntary Ex ante Transparency Notice). It is the intention of Aston University to award a 5-year contract for the supply, installation, service and maintenance of a Helium-4 Optically Pumped Magnetometer MEG system (OPM-MEG) to Mag4Health from February 2024 to January 2029. Aston University intends to award the contract without a call for competition in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ((32.2(b) ii. * The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason: * absence of competition for technical reasons Aston University will carry out extensive clinical trials during this period and requires an OPM-MEG that can be operated up to 8 hours a day, with examinations lasting up to 2 hours on a subject. The Helium OPM-MEG technology dissipates 20 mW per sensor, unlike the Rubidium OPM-MEG, which dissipates about 500 mW to heat the Rubidium at 150degC. The absence of heating will make it simpler for us to operate the system for long periods without the need to actively remove heat. Helium OPM technology is being used in space (e.g. satellites) at the moment and has been proven to work continuously for 10 years. Although other manufacturers of OPM-MEG systems exist, they do not supply Helium OPM-MEG and for this reason, we have determined that Mag4Health are the only available supplier in the market. The negotiated contract value estimate reflects a long-term collaboration between Mag4Health and Aston University. The University will not enter the proposed contract before 31 October 2023.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-f18d380c-5e5c-4b03-97e1-c9b2ef76e049
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/404e6d10-e1df-4620-b2f3-d91539758807
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Negotiated procedure without prior publication (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,600,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,600,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Dec 20232 years ago
Submission Deadline
30 Oct 2023Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
8 Dec 20232 years ago
Contract Period
1 Feb 2024 - 31 Jan 2029 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ASTON UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B4 7ET
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Nechells
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

MAG4HEALTH

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-b5fd17-f18d380c-5e5c-4b03-97e1-c9b2ef76e049-2023-12-08T16:17:12Z",
    "date": "2023-12-08T16:17:12Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-b5fd17-f18d380c-5e5c-4b03-97e1-c9b2ef76e049",
    "language": "en",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "868",
        "title": "(VEAT Notice) - Helium-4 Optically Pumped Magnetometer (OPM-MEG) Supply, Installation, Service and Maintenance",
        "description": "Aston University is putting out this notice as a VEAT (Voluntary Ex ante Transparency Notice). It is the intention of Aston University to award a 5-year contract for the supply, installation, service and maintenance of a Helium-4 Optically Pumped Magnetometer MEG system (OPM-MEG) to Mag4Health from February 2024 to January 2029. Aston University intends to award the contract without a call for competition in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ((32.2(b) ii. * The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason: * absence of competition for technical reasons Aston University will carry out extensive clinical trials during this period and requires an OPM-MEG that can be operated up to 8 hours a day, with examinations lasting up to 2 hours on a subject. The Helium OPM-MEG technology dissipates 20 mW per sensor, unlike the Rubidium OPM-MEG, which dissipates about 500 mW to heat the Rubidium at 150degC. The absence of heating will make it simpler for us to operate the system for long periods without the need to actively remove heat. Helium OPM technology is being used in space (e.g. satellites) at the moment and has been proven to work continuously for 10 years. Although other manufacturers of OPM-MEG systems exist, they do not supply Helium OPM-MEG and for this reason, we have determined that Mag4Health are the only available supplier in the market. The negotiated contract value estimate reflects a long-term collaboration between Mag4Health and Aston University. The University will not enter the proposed contract before 31 October 2023.",
        "datePublished": "2023-10-18T11:59:56+01:00",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "38000000",
            "description": "Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)"
        },
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "postalCode": "B4 7ET"
                    },
                    {
                        "postalCode": "B4 7ET"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amount": 1600000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "limited",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Negotiated procedure without prior publication (above threshold)",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2023-10-30T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2024-02-01T00:00:00Z",
            "endDate": "2029-01-31T23:59:59Z"
        },
        "suitability": {
            "sme": true,
            "vcse": false
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "description": "Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder",
                "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/82597e58-5ea6-47ba-ba28-b7385c1370eb",
                "datePublished": "2023-10-18T11:59:56+01:00",
                "format": "text/html",
                "language": "en"
            }
        ]
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-SRS-sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/wrP44fnV",
            "name": "Aston University",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Aston University",
                "scheme": "GB-SRS",
                "id": "sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/wrP44fnV"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Aston Triangle",
                "locality": "BIRMINGHAM",
                "postalCode": "B47ET",
                "countryName": "England"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Jacob Rankine",
                "email": "j.rankine@aston.ac.uk",
                "telephone": "0121 204 4562"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-CFS-266914",
            "name": "Mag4Health",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Mag4Health"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Grenoble, France"
            },
            "details": {
                "scale": "sme",
                "vcse": false
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-SRS-sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/wrP44fnV",
        "name": "Aston University"
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "ocds-b5fd17-f18d380c-5e5c-4b03-97e1-c9b2ef76e049-1",
            "status": "active",
            "date": "2023-12-08T00:00:00Z",
            "datePublished": "2023-12-08T16:17:12Z",
            "value": {
                "amount": 1600000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-CFS-266914",
                    "name": "Mag4Health"
                }
            ],
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2024-02-01T00:00:00Z",
                "endDate": "2029-01-31T23:59:59Z"
            },
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "description": "Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder",
                    "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/404e6d10-e1df-4620-b2f3-d91539758807",
                    "datePublished": "2023-12-08T16:17:12Z",
                    "format": "text/html",
                    "language": "en"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}