Respiratory Metagenomics Expansion Programme to Oxford Nanopore Technologies PLC

Location

Guys and St. Thomas Hospital

Description

The delivery of a National NHS Respiratory Metagenomics Expansion Programme to a network of 30 NHS sites across the UK.

Total Quantity or Scope

Direct Award. The Trust has been granted funding from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), with oversight delegated to the Office of Life Sciences (OLS), for the delivery of the NHS Respiratory Metagenomics Expansion Programme, in which GSTT will lead the development of a national clinical metagenomics pilot service by deploying NHS developed laboratory, bioinformatic and clinical protocols along with ONT developed sequencing technology to a network of 30 NHS sites across the UK for the dual benefit of patient care and bio-surveillance. The contract period is for Three Years and will expire on 20th November 2028. The approximate lifetime value of the contract is The contract will be grant funded from the DSIT award to GSTT for the NHS Respiratory Metagenomics Expansion Programme.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 33190000 - Miscellaneous medical devices and products
• 33140000 - Medical consumables

Indicators

• Award on basis of price.

Legal Justification

Direct award justificationSingle supplier - intellectual property or exclusive rightsIn accordance with Section 41 and Schedule 5 of the PA23, this direct award is to bemade on the grounds of absence of competition for technical reasons as the products andservices are subject to patented technology by Oxford Nanpore Technologies PLC. It is unique in that it is the only sequencing technology available on the market that enablesdirect, real-time analysis of short to ultra-long fragments of DNA/RNA, in fully scalableformats. No other provider is able to supply equivalent goods or services.• Additional Information - The contracting authority has concluded that the conditions for adirect award are satisfied due to their being no alternatives and an absence of competitiondue to patent status of the required products and services. A Contract Award Notice(UK6) will be published following the expiry of the standstill period.

Other Information

The Trust has been in contract with Oxford Nanopore for a period of 1 year as part of the pilot programme for delivery of an initial pilot metagenomics service at 9 NHS sites in 2024/25. A number of collaboration agreements have existed between GSTT and ONT prior to this, under which the two institutions developed the joint elements of our respective components of the end to end workflow.Given the requirement to continue the pilot arrangements and the continuation of the grant funding from DSIT and OLS, it was necessary to engage in direct negotiations with Oxford Nanopore. In addition, the technology under development is patented and GSTT are working in collaboration with Oxford Nanopore to continue to develop the protocols and undertake the research activity.Under PA23 there are 2 relevant provisions for a direct award for patented technology covered under section 41, Schedule 5. (1) “a supplier is in possession of IP and there are no reasonable alternatives…”and (2) “the absence of competition for technical reasons”, both sectioned under “Single Suppliers” where a particular supplier owns the intellectual rights and is the only supplier able to provide that product / service.