250079 - Contract for the Provision of Laboratory Animal Health Monitoring Services in Compliance with FELASA Guidelines

{
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-NIC-101788",
    "name": "Queen\u0027s University Belfast"
  },
  "date": "2025-09-24T14:02:57+01:00",
  "id": "059272-2025",
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  "language": "en",
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        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "locality": "Belfast",
        "postalCode": " BT7 1NN",
        "region": "UKN06",
        "streetAddress": "University Rd"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "procurement@qub.ac.uk"
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      "id": "GB-NIC-101788",
      "identifier": {
        "id": "101788",
        "scheme": "GB-NIC"
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      "name": "Queen\u0027s University Belfast",
      "roles": [
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  "planning": {
    "noEngagementNoticeRationale": "In accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, a Prior Market Engagement (PME) exercise was not undertaken for this requirement. This decision is justified on the basis that a suitable contract is already in place, and the relevant Unit has confirmed that they have a clear and sufficient understanding of the service requirements. As such, no further market engagement was deemed necessary."
  },
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  "tender": {
    "aboveThreshold": true,
    "awardPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2025-12-18T23:59:59+00:00"
    },
    "contractTerms": {
      "financialTerms": "30 days from receipt of a valid and undisputed invoice"
    },
    "description": "The Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences\u2019 Biological Services Core Technology Unit (BSU), at Queen\u2019s University Belfast (Queen\u2019s) wish to procure the Provision of Laboratory Animal Health Monitoring Services in Compliance with FELASA Guidelines",
    "documents": [
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        "url": "https://in-tendhost.co.uk/queensuniversitybelfast/aspx/Home"
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      {
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        "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
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      {
        "datePublished": "2025-09-24T14:02:57+01:00",
        "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "tenderNotice",
        "format": "text/html",
        "id": "059272-2025",
        "noticeType": "UK4",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059272-2025"
      }
    ],
    "hasRecurrence": true,
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05a11d",
    "items": [
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "description": "Laboratory services",
            "id": "71900000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          },
          {
            "description": "Medical analysis services",
            "id": "85148000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          },
          {
            "description": "Veterinary services",
            "id": "85200000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1"
      },
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "description": "Laboratory services",
            "id": "71900000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          },
          {
            "description": "Medical analysis services",
            "id": "85148000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          },
          {
            "description": "Veterinary services",
            "id": "85200000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "id": "2",
        "relatedLot": "2"
      },
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "description": "Laboratory services",
            "id": "71900000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          },
          {
            "description": "Medical analysis services",
            "id": "85148000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          },
          {
            "description": "Veterinary services",
            "id": "85200000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "id": "3",
        "relatedLot": "3"
      }
    ],
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "scheme": "UKPGA",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
    },
    "lots": [
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "Technical 40%\nMandatory Specification \u2013 Pass/Fail  \nQualitative 35%\n\u2022\tTeam Expertise 10%\n\u2022\tPhasing out/reducing Sacrificial Sentinel Animals 10%\n\u2022\tReporting 5%\n\u2022\tKey risks 5%\n\u2022\tTraining \u0026 Technical Support 5%\nSustainable Procurement 5%\nPrice 60%",
              "name": "Simple description",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ],
          "weightingDescription": "Technical 40%\nMandatory Specification \u2013 Pass/Fail  \nQualitative 35%\n\u2022\tTeam Expertise 10%\n\u2022\tPhasing out/reducing Sacrificial Sentinel Animals 10%\n\u2022\tReporting 5%\n\u2022\tKey risks 5%\n\u2022\tTraining \u0026 Technical Support 5%\nSustainable Procurement 5%\nPrice 60%"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2029-01-04T23:59:59+00:00",
          "maxExtentDate": "2033-01-04T23:59:59+00:00",
          "startDate": "2026-01-05T00:00:00+00:00"
        },
        "description": "This Lot will cover the provision of health monitoring services for sentinel animals using traditional sacrificial sampling methods. Activities under this Lot will include:\n\u2022\tProvision of validated sample collection kits and consumables for sentinel programmes.\n\u2022\tTesting of sentinel animal samples (including serology, parasitology, and microbiology) in accordance with FELASA recommendations.\n\u2022\tReporting of results with interpretation and expert advice where required.\nPlease note: It is the University\u2019s strategic aim to phase out the use of sacrificial sentinel animals over the life of this contract, in line with the 3Rs principle of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. Contractors should support this goal by advising on alternative approaches.",
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "1",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "options to extend by up to a further 48 months (4 x 12-month extensions)"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true
        },
        "title": "1\tLot 1: Sentinel Animal Health Monitoring (Sacrificial)",
        "value": {
          "amount": 280000,
          "amountGross": 336000,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "Technical 40%\nMandatory Specification \u2013 Pass/Fail  \nQualitative 35%\n\u2022\tTeam Expertise 10%\n\u2022\tPhasing out/reducing Sacrificial Sentinel Animals 10%\n\u2022\tReporting 5%\n\u2022\tKey risks 5%\n\u2022\tTraining \u0026 Technical Support 5%\nSustainable Procurement 5%\nPrice 60%",
              "name": "Simple description",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ],
          "weightingDescription": "Technical 40%\nMandatory Specification \u2013 Pass/Fail  \nQualitative 35%\n\u2022\tTeam Expertise 10%\n\u2022\tPhasing out/reducing Sacrificial Sentinel Animals 10%\n\u2022\tReporting 5%\n\u2022\tKey risks 5%\n\u2022\tTraining \u0026 Technical Support 5%\nSustainable Procurement 5%\nPrice 60%"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2029-01-04T23:59:59+00:00",
          "maxExtentDate": "2033-01-04T23:59:59+00:00",
          "startDate": "2026-01-05T00:00:00+00:00"
        },
        "description": "This Lot will cover provision of non-animal or environmental monitoring methods to replace or reduce the need for sentinel animals. Activities under this Lot will include:\n\u2022\tEnvironmental sampling programmes (e.g. exhaust air dust (EAD) testing or soiled bedding PCR sampling).\n\u2022\tProvision of all necessary equipment, kits, and consumables for non-animal monitoring.\n\u2022\tTesting and reporting of environmental samples to FELASA-compliant standards.\n\u2022\tAdvice on the design and implementation of sentinel-free health monitoring programmes.\nPlease note: In conjunction with the University\u2019s aim to reduce or phase out our reliance on sentinel animal testing (lot 1), this element of the contract (lot 2) may increase over the lifetime of the contract.",
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "2",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "options to extend by up to a further 48 months (4 x 12-month extensions)"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true
        },
        "title": "2\tLot 2: Non-Animal Health Monitoring Methods",
        "value": {
          "amount": 280000,
          "amountGross": 336000,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "Technical 40%\nMandatory Specification \u2013 Pass/Fail  \nQualitative 35%\n\u2022\tTeam Expertise 10%\n\u2022\tPhasing out/reducing Sacrificial Sentinel Animals 10%\n\u2022\tReporting 5%\n\u2022\tKey risks 5%\n\u2022\tTraining \u0026 Technical Support 5%\nSustainable Procurement 5%\nPrice 60%",
              "name": "Simple description",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ],
          "weightingDescription": "Technical 40%\nMandatory Specification \u2013 Pass/Fail  \nQualitative 35%\n\u2022\tTeam Expertise 10%\n\u2022\tPhasing out/reducing Sacrificial Sentinel Animals 10%\n\u2022\tReporting 5%\n\u2022\tKey risks 5%\n\u2022\tTraining \u0026 Technical Support 5%\nSustainable Procurement 5%\nPrice 60%"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2029-01-04T23:59:59+00:00",
          "maxExtentDate": "2033-01-04T23:59:59+00:00",
          "startDate": "2026-01-05T00:00:00+00:00"
        },
        "description": "This Lot will cover health monitoring services for zebrafish colonies which we expect to have late 2025, early 2026. Activities under this Lot will include:\n\u2022\tProvision of appropriate sampling kits and guidance for zebrafish health monitoring (e.g. screening for Mycobacterium spp. and other relevant pathogens).\n\u2022\tTesting of submitted samples in accordance with FELASA-AALAS health monitoring recommendations (DOI: 10.30802/AALAS-CM-22-000034). The ability to screen for Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia and Spring Viremia of Carp (SVC) would also be valuable and may become of relevance during the course of this contract.  Detailed reporting with interpretation and recommendations for colony management.",
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "3",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "options to extend by up to a further 48 months (4 x 12-month extensions)"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true
        },
        "title": "3\tLot 3: Zebrafish Health Monitoring",
        "value": {
          "amount": 140000,
          "amountGross": 168000,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      }
    ],
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "procurementMethod": "open",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
    "recurrence": {
      "dates": [
        {
          "startDate": "2033-01-04T23:59:59Z"
        }
      ]
    },
    "riskDetails": "1.\tFailure to Deliver Timely Results\no\tDelays in processing or reporting test results could compromise animal health, welfare, and research timelines.\n2.\tLoss or Damage of Samples\no\tImproper handling during transport or processing may lead to invalid results and the need for re-sampling. Resampling, in particular with sacrificial methods, would be contrary to the 3Rs and would only be undertaken as a last resort.\n3.\tNon-Compliance with FELASA Guidelines\no\tFailure to adhere to FELASA standards could result in inaccurate health status declarations, regulatory non-compliance, or reputational damage to the University. This could impact on Biosecurity and the health status of our Laboratory animal colonies and negatively impact upon research programs. \n4.\tQuality Assurance Failures\no\tLack of appropriate accreditation or failures in contractor quality management systems could undermine confidence in results.\n5.\tData Security and Confidentiality Breach\no\tInadequate data protection could compromise sensitive health monitoring information.\n6.\tDisruption of Service\no\tOperational issues such as staff shortages, supply chain disruptions, or laboratory closures (e.g. due to emergencies or pandemics) could interrupt service delivery, create unacceptable gaps in our health monitoring program and impact upon unit biosecurity. \n7.\tFailure to Support 3Rs Progression\no\tContractors unwilling or unable to advise on replacement of sentinel animals with non-animal monitoring methods could impede the University\u2019s ethical commitments and strategy.\n8.\tMisinterpretation of Results\no\tPoorly communicated or unclear reporting and subsequent guidance could lead to inappropriate colony management decisions.\n9.\tHealth and Safety Risks\no\tInadequate sample kit design or guidance could expose BSU staff to biohazards during collection and handling.\n10.\tCost Overruns\no\tUnanticipated price increases or unclear charging structures could lead to budgetary pressures.",
    "status": "active",
    "submissionMethodDetails": "https://in-tendhost.co.uk/queensuniversitybelfast/aspx/Home, please register if not already done so and submit tender via the In-tend portal.",
    "submissionTerms": {
      "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
      "languages": [
        "en"
      ]
    },
    "tenderPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2025-10-28T16:00:00+00:00"
    },
    "title": "250079 - Contract for the Provision of Laboratory Animal Health Monitoring Services in Compliance with FELASA Guidelines ",
    "value": {
      "amount": 700000,
      "amountGross": 840000,
      "currency": "GBP"
    }
  }
}