---
title: "(VEAT Notice) - Helium-4 Optically Pumped Magnetometer (OPM-MEG) Supply, Installation, Service and Maintenance"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-f18d380c-5e5c-4b03-97e1-c9b2ef76e049"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-f18d380c-5e5c-4b03-97e1-c9b2ef76e049"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-f18d380c-5e5c-4b03-97e1-c9b2ef76e049.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-f18d380c-5e5c-4b03-97e1-c9b2ef76e049.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "ASTON UNIVERSITY"
published: "2023-12-08"
---

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

Buyer: ASTON UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-f18d380c-5e5c-4b03-97e1-c9b2ef76e049

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## Summary

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.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/404e6d10-e1df-4620-b2f3-d91539758807 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 8 Dec 2023 |
| Submission deadline | 30 Oct 2023 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 8 Dec 2023 |
| Contract period | 1 Feb 2024 - 31 Jan 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £1,600,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £1,600,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | ASTON UNIVERSITY |
| Locality | BIRMINGHAM |
| Post town | Birmingham |
| Postcode | B4 7ET |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands |
| ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham |
| Local authority | Birmingham |
| Electoral ward | Nechells |
| Westminster constituency | Birmingham Ladywood |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | MAG4HEALTH |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 8 Dec 2023 at 16:17 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/404e6d10-e1df-4620-b2f3-d91539758807
- 18 Oct 2023 at 10:59 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/82597e58-5ea6-47ba-ba28-b7385c1370eb

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/404e6d10-e1df-4620-b2f3-d91539758807
  8th December 2023 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/82597e58-5ea6-47ba-ba28-b7385c1370eb
  18th October 2023 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder

## Provenance

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