Award

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 16:30

Award

18 Oct 2023 at 11:23

Summary of the contracting process

Aston University has completed a procurement process for the supply, installation, service, and maintenance of a Helium-4 Optically Pumped Magnetometer (OPM-MEG) system. The 5-year contract was awarded to Mag4Health without a call for competition, as Aston University required specific technical capabilities for extensive clinical trials. The contract covers the period from February 2024 to January 2029 and involves the operation of the OPM-MEG for up to 8 hours a day, with examinations lasting up to 2 hours on a subject. The total contract value is estimated at £1,600,000.

This tender provides an opportunity for businesses involved in laboratory, optical, and precision equipment to explore collaboration with Aston University. Businesses specializing in the supply of Helium OPM-MEG systems may find this tender particularly suitable. The procurement method used was an award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition, reflecting the specific technical requirements that limited the field of potential suppliers. The contracting process was aimed at identifying a supplier with the unique capabilities needed for the successful completion of the project.

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Notice Title

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

Notice Description

Aston University has awarded 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 has awarded 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.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Aston University has awarded 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 has awarded 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.

Procurement Information

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.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-040cfa
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036282-2023
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£1,600,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Dec 20232 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
17 Oct 20232 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ASTON UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Jacob Rankine
Contact Email
j.rankine@aston.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1212044562

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
TLG31 Birmingham

Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Nechells
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

MAG4HEALTH

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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.

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