Provision of Brain Stimulation Paradigms, Hardware, Image Acquisition and Post-Processing Software, and Training/Applications Support for fMRI Implementation on 3T MRI Scanner at Children's Health Ireland

This is a voluntary ex ante transparency (VEAT) notice. This notice acknowledges that Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) proposes to contract with Nordic NeuroLabs and GE Healthcare to provide Brian Stimulation Paradigms, Hardware, Image Acquisition and Post-Processing Software, and Training/Application Support for fMRI Implementation on 3T MRI Scanner in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Temple Street. The 3T MRI scanner is supplied by GE Healthcare, and Nordic NeuroLabs has previously supplied and installed an entertainment system in the MRI scan room in CHI at Temple Street. The current requirement involves upgrading this existing system to a stimulus presentation package comprising of hardware and software, thereby enabling full fMRI functionality. This upgrade is an add-on to the existing Nordic NeuroLabs system and is proprietary to the supplier. No reasonable alternative or substitute exists that would meet compatibility and integration requirements with the current setup. In addition, GE Healthcare will supply new sequences and an analysis package for the fMRI to complement the Nordic NeuroLabs solution, ensuring full integration with the existing GE MRI platform. The proposed solution will ensure compatibility with the GE Healthcare MRI platform and provide streamlined operation for the MRI team, including training and applications support. There are no technically, clinically, financially, or administratively reasonable or viable alternative or substitute solutions that could be implemented other than the combined GE Healthcare and Nordic NeuroLabs solution.