---
title: "Provision of a Multiplex Fluorescence Scanner with quantitative pathology imaging and analysis"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-030015"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-030015"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-030015.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-030015.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE ACTING AS PART OF THE CROWN THROUGH UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY"
published: "2021-12-10"
---

# Provision of a Multiplex Fluorescence Scanner with quantitative pathology imaging and analysis

Buyer: SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE ACTING AS PART OF THE CROWN THROUGH UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-030015

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## Summary

The public procurement process involved the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care acting through the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in acquiring a Multiplex Fluorescence Scanner. This procurement, classified under the goods category of laboratory, optical and precision equipment, took place in London, UK. The tender was limited, specifically awarded without prior publication, and was successfully completed on the 10th of December 2021. The awarded contract, valued at £425,000, was given to Akoya Biosciences Inc., enabling the UKHSA to enhance its research capabilities related to infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in advanced imaging technologies, particularly those focusing on biomedical equipment and automated analysis systems. Companies that can provide innovative solutions for quantitative pathology imaging and analysis would be well-positioned to compete in future tenders, particularly those aimed at public health sectors involved in epidemic preparedness and response. With the ongoing demand for cutting-edge technology in healthcare, businesses in related fields may find potential avenues for growth by engaging with organisations like UKHSA.

## Notice

Award to Akoya Biosciences for the purchase of a multiplex fluorescence slide scanner with quantitative pathology imaging and analysis to be used in the Research Department, Porton.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The provision of a Multiplex Fluorescence Scanner will enable UK HSA to produce quantitative multiplex image analysis, with elements of the application of artificial intelligence in pathology (advance image analysis, such as tissue classification, phenotyping or pattern recognition) to be applied to ongoing and future research projects focusing on high priority activities including COVID19, Ebola, Zika, Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, Chikungunya, Zika virus infection, Q Fever, Anthrax, Tuberculosis, Monkeypox, Influenza, Pertussis, Meningococcal disease, Anti-Microbial Resistance, etc.

The Research team is responding to the COVID19 outbreak by delivering the pathology component of every pre-clinical experiment carried out at Porton, including vaccines and therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2. This work is supporting the UKHSA Infectious Disease Strategy, in the development of interventions against disease, and particularly at the moment support our strategy of being ready to respond to Pandemics as part of the current international global response.

### Procurement Information

UK HSA is responding to the COVID19 outbreak by delivering the pathology component of every pre-clinical experiment carried out at PHE Porton, including vaccines and therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2. The proposed equipment will provide resilience, increased output and objective image analysis (high throughput) of multiple samples, increasing the power of special pathology techniques (FISH and fluorescence immunolabelling) to study the pathogenesis and immune responses in the animal studies of SRAS-CoV-2 infection, also applicable to all the other pathogens.

Akoya is the only provider of automated tools and algorithms for the determination of library spectra for the quantitative elimination of autofluorescence and the determination of pure biomarker spectra from unmixed spectra taken from tissue specimens.

The Vectra Polaris Automated Quantitative Pathology Imaging System will digitalise multiplex-stained slides increasing resilience as it would be able to scan conventional brightfield stained slides (in case our current histology scanner is out of order for any reason) and will be able to produce digital H&E e-slides from fluorescence-stained slides, reducing the workload in the laboratory. At present, PHE does not have the capacity or resources of reading and scanning multiplex-stained slides and need to produce single-stained slide for a variety of markers with a considerable amount of time and resources associated.

The technology within Polaris as well as some of the proprietary software that runs it was all developed in house and patented. Its unique capabilities via the multispectral technology set the Polaris apart for quantitative biomarker analysis and detailed phenotyping of researchers tissue samples.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030878-2021 |
| 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 | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 10 Dec 2021 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 10 Dec 2021 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE ACTING AS PART OF THE CROWN THROUGH UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1P 3JR |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | St James's |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | AKOYA BIOSCIENCES |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 10 Dec 2021 at 19:24 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030878-2021

## Notice URLs

- http://www.akoyabio.com
- https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency
- https://www.judiciary.uk/

## Provenance

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