Norway – Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) – Contract announcement: Master mix to one stage real time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) at Helse Bergen HF and Helse Førde HF

The aim of the procurement is to enter into regional parallel framework agreements for the procurement of master mix for one stage real time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) for the microbiological department at Helse Bergen HF and Helse Førde HF. The Microbiological Department at Helse Bergen HF and Helse Førde HF would like tenders for PCR mastermix for detecting microbial RNA from patient samples (real time reverse transcription PCR/RT-qPCR). The mastermix shall mainly be used for detecting RNA viruses in airway samples and the estimated sample volume at Helse Bergen HF is 350,000 – 450,000 PCR reactions per annum. Helse Førde Health Trust estimates that the sample volume is 60,000 - 70,000 PCR reactions per annum. A high quality mastermix is required that provides high sensitivity, high specificity and stable results over time. The mastermix must be optimised for multiplexing and not very sensitive to any PCR inhibitory substances in the eluat. Helse Bergen uses Roche ́s Flow platform to analyse the airway analyses, which consist of Hamilton robots and Light Cycler 480/LightCycler Pro. By Helse Førde, LightCycler480II and Rotorgene RGQ are used. Ready pipetting PCR boards may be queued up and waiting for the free PCR instrument. The reagents must therefore endure standing for some time at light/room temperature after pipetting. See Annex 2 - Requirement Specifications tab 3. Minimum requirements and 4. Quality, as well as Annex 2a - Testing Form for further details. An initial testing will be carried out at Helse Bergen HF of mastermix candidates with the department ́s primers/probes for relevant genes on the Flow system. Mastermixer that do not deliver an equivalent or better result than the current reagents (c.f. minimum requirements nos. 7 and 8) will not be considered further. The mastermix candidates who deliver satisfactory results will proceed to an expanded trial at both Helse Bergen HF and Helse Førde HF, if they are based on the set award criteria have the possibility to go victorious out of the tender.