CONTRACT NOTICE – NATIONAL

1 Authority Details

1.1

Authority Name and Address

1.2

Address from which documentation may be obtained

As in 1.1

1.3

Completed documents must be returned to:

As in 1.1

2 Contract Details

2.1

Title

Re-tender for a Multi-Electrode Array (MEA) System for measuring cellular electrical activity

2.2

Description of the goods or services required

The proposal surrounding this Higher Education Research Capital (HERC) Funding 2023-24 from the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), aims to elucidate fundamental mechanisms of underlying neurodegenerative disorders, and specifically to determine the role that abundant brain lipids called plasmalogens play in supporting synaptic transmission. Whilst there are no effective treatments for patients with cognitive impairment, dementia, or Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and none of the available is targeted at preserving synapse integrity and function, this study addresses the role of plasmalogens in synaptic assembly and maintenance

NOTE: The authority is using eTenderwales to carry out this procurement process. To obtain further information record your interest on Sell2Wales at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=133825

2.3

Notice Coding and Classification

2.4

Total quantity or scope of tender

This MEA system should be capable of measuring extracellular electrophysiological parameters including Spikes Amplitude, Firing Rate, Number of Spikes, Number of Bursts, Burst Duration, and Number of

Spikes per burst, in cultured neurons, cardiomyocytes, and brain organoids (3D cultures). The system should be able to track electrical activity in neural networks and have electrode number and density that can ensure high spatial resolution, possibly at the single-cell level. The system should be also capable of efficiently stimulating electrically the sample being analysed. Finally, the system should be able to operate in a standard incubator for cellular recording in ideal conditions

3 Conditions for Participation

3.1

Minimum standards and qualification required

This tender is being conducted electronically via etenderwales BravoSolution:

https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml

All tender documents are available for download from this etender site under Project 32109 and ITT 104771 and only tender submissions uploaded onto that website by the tender deadline can be considered - emailed

or postal submissions will not be accepted

4 Administrative Information

4.1

Type of Procedure

Single stage

4.2

Reference number attributed to the notice by the contracting authority

SU07(24)

4.3

Time Limits

4.5

Language or languages in which tenders or requests to participate can be drawn up

4.6

Tender Submission Postbox

5 Other Information

5.1

Additional Information

The fixed budget for this purchase is GBP 49500 (VAT exempt due to the medical research nature of the equipment)

(WA Ref:133825)

The buyer considers that this contract is suitable for consortia bidding.

5.2

Additional Documentation

5.3

Publication date of this notice