Research laboratory services

Tender description

This is a voluntary ex ante transparency notice (VEAT). This notice is to indicate that the University of Edinburgh intends to contract with ICP Firefly for the provision of toxicology services. These services have very significant budgetary and time restraints which only one identified provider can provide. As of 21 October 2020 this has now been awarded to ICP Firefly. Intent to contract with ICP Firefly: The University require the provision of toxicology services in relation to the conduct of an extended single dose toxicology study in rats. The project revolves around the GLP toxicology testing of test substances according to requirements set out in the ICH M3 for supporting studies for human microdosing. The study will involve microdosing an imaging reagent via intravenous injection, with the intention to rapidly detect and quantify heart inflammation by combining the radiotracer with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging. The requirement was tendered for in September 2019 (notice ID: AUG364595). However, no compliant bids were received. The requirement was delayed due to internal research timelines and then further delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions. Suppliers have been contacted, however no suppliers identified through market research or the tender process, can provide the requirements within a total budget GBP 75 000 (GBP 60 000 for the toxicology requirements and a further GBP 15 000 for validation of the samples) incl. all duties and VAT. Nor could any identified companies guarantee to complete the toxicology services before the grant expiry of April 2021. As such, the University are releasing this VEAT notice with the intention to award the services to ICP Firefly. After no challenges to this VEAT notice; the University has awarded the contract to ICP Firefly.