HLA Rapid Typing Systems

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is a Special Health Authority in England, with responsibilities across the United Kingdom for organ donation and transplantation. Our core purpose is to ‘save and improve lives’ through the provision of a safe and reliable supply of blood components, solid organs, stem cells, tissues and related services to the NHS, and to the other UK Health Services where directed.  Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics (H&I) is a strategic business function of NHSBT, that provides a portfolio of testing, advice and support in transplantation, platelet refractoriness and transfusion reactions. Services are supplied through a national network of six laboratories across England. We would like to work with future suppliers of choice to perform HLA rapid typing system in an efficient, timely and cost-effective manner to meet the demands and expectations of our customers and the patients we serve. We require HLA rapid typing system(s) to cover the following: • The solution must detect, as a minimum, all alleles of the HLA-A, B, C, DRB1, DRB3/4/5,DQA1, DQB1, DPA1 and DPB1 loci as defined in: o Minimum typing requirements for reporting donor and recipient HLA types. o HLA Conversion Chart for Organ Allocation. • The solution must comprise of the essential kits and associated consumables to obtain a result and positive identification of samples throughout the process. From test material addition to the availability of an interpreted results the turnaround time should be less than three hours. In addition, we are also interested in technology that can: • Provide 2nd field HLA type at the above loci • In under 6 hours Lot 1: Provision of testing kits, consumables, and analysis software Lot 2: Provision of equipment and equipment consumables Lot 3: Provision of equipment maintenance Lot 4: Development