EPS024 UCDOPP622 Supply of a NGS Sequencer for the National Virus Ref Lab, UCD

Tender description

Supply of a Next Generation Sequencing Instrument (NGS Sequencer). An important function of the National Virus Reference Laboratory is to provide the national data on the molecular evolution of a number of important viruses in accordance with the criteria outlined by the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Control. While no current national or international guidelines exist for the implementation of NGS analysis in diagnostic laboratories, their use in reference and surveillance laboratories is becoming more routine, and the clinical utility of the data they can generate is becoming increasingly apparent in diagnostics. This technology will enable the detection of all viral mixed populations in patient samples including low abundance mutations (≤5% - “deep” sequencing) that may be undetected by the Sanger sequencing methodologies already in place, but which may become dominant under drug selection. Many large studies are currently being undertaken in this area in Europe because NGS potentially offers earlier detection of resistance mutations, and the NVRL is ideally positioned to generate similar data in the Irish context. The platform should be compatible with the current diagnostic and reference algorithms and procedures already in situ in the National Virus Reference Laboratory. The purpose of this Competition is to establish a single supplier framework agreement contract for Goods with the Contracting Authority, UCD. The purpose of this Competition is to establish a single supplier framework agreement contract for Goods