LC-MS/MS Analyser Replacements (Toxicology) (NHCFT330)

Tender description

LC-MS/MS Analyser Replacements (Toxicology) The contract is to be divided into 4 Lots and we are to call-off from the following Framework Agreement: APUC (Advanced Procurement for Universities & Colleges) Supply of Mass Spectrometry and Chromatography Equipment Framework Agreement LAB1016AP This is by way of a further competition for the following lots: Lot 5 – Liquid Chromatographs coupled with Mass Spectrometers Lot Description: Including, but not limited to: Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI), ION trap and other Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry equipment. Lot 6 – Forthcoming Systems and Modular/Combined Systems Lot Description: Any forthcoming technology which falls under the heading of Mass Spectrometry or Chromatography falls into this lot; as do any systems/interfaces/detectors made from a combination not mentioned in any of the other lots Lot 7 – Related Consumables and Accessories Lot Description: Any consumables or accessories which are specific to any of the equipment featured in any of the other lots in this Framework Agreement. Lot 8 – Equipment Servicing Lot Description: Comprehensive or preventative maintenance of standard equipment out with the agreed warranty period. The Toxicology laboratory (part of the Clinical Chemistry Department) at Wansbeck General Hospital, Northumberland wishes to purchase two LC-MS/MS systems with the ability to perform automated sample pre-treatment. The department handles in excess of 16,000 urine drug screening samples per year for the drug recovery services and local mental health and acute NHS trusts. In addition around 800 cases are analysed for Coroners in the North East of England, along with a small number of miscellaneous analyses on tablets, powders etc. for clinical or public health purposes. The laboratory is currently equipped with two LC-MS/MS systems (which will be replaced by this mini-competition), a LC-Q-ToF, a headspace GC, a GC-MS and an automated Clinical Chemistry analyser running CEDIA / EMIT drug screens and creatinine analysis. The LC-MS/MSs will perform the following analyses: 1) Confirmation of drugs detected using the LC-Q-ToF in post mortem samples. 2) Detection and quantification of a panel of drugs, alcohol use markers and creatinine in all urine drug screening samples. This is to remove the need for immunoassay screening as currently just over 50% of the urines require LC-MS/MS testing as a number of prescription drugs are detected regularly in these samples. 3) Development of assays for statins and other drugs used in hyperlipidaemia treatment. 4) Probable development of a service for phopsphatidyl ethanolamine PEth. 5) Possible therapeutic drug monitoring of a small number of anti-epileptic and anti-psychotic drugs. The laboratory is closed overnight and at weekends so the systems must be capable of unsupervised operation. Further details of the Contracting Authority’s requirements under the contract and other relevant information are given in the Specification at Schedule 1. Keywords: mass, spectrometry, chromatography, toxicology, analyser