CEFAS26-11 Framework for Next Generation Sequencing Services

Cefas are seeking to establish a Framework for the provision of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) services, for a variety of NGS analyses methods, to support the delivery of numerous and varied research programmes that are utilising genomics.

The framework is split into 4 Lots and Suppliers can bid for any number of Lots. Cefas intends to award up to 5 Contracts for each Lot, based on Suppliers meeting the required technical and pricing evaluation criteria. Cefas will then call-off from the framework for individual project requirements, as set out in the full Specification of Requirement document in the Bidder Pack. If a Supplier is awarded multiple Lots, one Contract will be awarded to cover the relevant Lots.

The Contract implementation is expected to start in August 2026 for a period of 3 years with the option to extend for 2 further periods of 12 months each.

Prices will be fixed for the initial 3 year period of the Contract. Prices may then be increased on an annual basis if the Contract is extended, in line with CPI.

Lot 1 - Targeted Sequencing

Suppliers will deliver targeted sequencing analyses, such as:

• Amplicon sequencing and metabarcoding, utilising mainly 16S, 18S, COI and ITS markers, but also other custom primers may be required on an ad-hoc basis.
• Library enrichment, such as bait capture/hybrid probe capture techniques.

Lot 2 - Whole Genome

Suppliers will deliver whole genome, metagenomic and transcriptomic sequencing, in applications such as:

• Whole genome/metagenomic sequencing for microbial diversity, microbiome analysis, species identification, pathogen detection, genome assembly, AMR screening, population genetics.
• Transcriptomic/single-cell/spatial transcriptomic sequencing for host-pathogen interactions, functional annotation/classification, metabolic pathways, gene expression.

Lot 3 - Long-Read Sequencing

Suppliers will provide long-read sequencing analysis, using either PacBio or Oxford Nanopore Technologies. This may be for several different applications, mainly studies of:

• Microbial diversity, microbiome analysis, species identification, pathogen detection
• Whole-genome assembly, AMR screening, population genetics
• Nanopore-specific - Methylation sequencing, epigenetics

Lot 4 - Ad-Hoc Requirements

Suppliers will ad-hoc requests, i.e. those that do not fit in the prior lot categories. This would most likely be utilised when a unique/proprietary technology or analysis is required, such as RAD-Seq, that Cefas cannot undertake in-house.

Specifics would be detailed in the individual project request via the call-off process, which will be a mini-competition process as set out in Appendix 4.

AWARDED SUPPLIERS -

Lot 1

Biomarker Technologies

University of Northumbria

University of Exeter

QIB Extra

Edinburgh Genetics

University of Plymouth

Lot 2

Biomarker Technologies

Novogene

University of Exeter

Edinburgh Genetics

QIB Extra

Lot 3

University of Northumbria

University of Exeter

Biomarker Technologies

Edinburgh Genetics

Edinburgh Innovations

Lot 4

Biomarker Technologies

Earlham Institute

Novogene

Source BioScience

**Please note due to system constraints please note that the actual number of assessed tenders for lot 4 was 4***