Transparency Notice for the Supply and Installation of a HIGH RESOLUTION FOURIER TRANSFORM BENCH-TOP LIQUID CHROMATROGRAPHY-ORBITRAP MASS SPECTROMETER (THERMO ORBITRAP EXPLORIS 240) to the University of Birmingham University of Birmingham Project Reference: SC10850/25

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      "title": "Supply and Installation of a HIGH RESOLUTION FOURIER TRANSFORM BENCH-TOP LIQUID CHROMATROGRAPHY-ORBITRAP MASS SPECTROMETER (THERMO ORBITRAP EXPLORIS 240) to the University of Birmingham University of Birmingham Project Reference: SC10850/25",
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    "description": "Total cost excluding VAT: \u00a3356,548.16\nThe equipment (Thermo Orbitrap Exploris 240) that we are requesting will permit us to detect changes in multiple metabolic pathways in a single analytical run as it combines the high mass resolution observed in \u0027multi-reflecting time of flight\u0027 instruments with increased sensitivity giving the ability to detect and gain additional molecular information on high numbers of metabolites present in low abundance as found in with \u0027triple quadrupole\u0027 instruments. Importantly for us (Metabolic Tracer Analysis Core (MTAC)), the high mass resolution will also allow us to deconvolute changes in mass due to incorporation of different stable isotopes (e.g. 15N, 13C, 2H), giving us the ability to examine nutrient use in more complex ways.\nThis model is the only such instrument - the \u0027Orbitrap\u0027 part of the mass spectrometer is what provides this capability highlighted above, and Thermo Electron Manufacturing Limited trading as Thermo Fisher Scientific hold the patent for this technology. It includes nitrogen generator with high purity collision gas module, biocompatible liquid chromatography system, and full system integration with proprietary Thermo software (including tracing analysis software), all required to maintain the scientific edge of our metabolic research.",
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    "procurementMethodRationale": "This was previously Tendered and only one response was received which was from the supplier we are directly awarding to.\nThis procurement is being undertaken via a single-source route due to the unique technical capabilities of the Thermo Orbitrap Exploris 240 and the exclusive rights held by its manufacturer; Thermo Fisher Scientific is the only company globally that offers a fully integrated system combining:\n\u2022\tSensitivity: tSIM: 200 fg Reserpine on column yields S/N 250:1 RMS or better\n\u2022\tMass Resolution: 240,000 (FWHM) at m/z 200 for all scan modes and both polarities\n\u2022\tMass Accuracy: \u003c 1 ppm RMS - with EASY-IC internal calibration for at least 5 days\n\u2022\tDynamic Range: \u003e5,000:1 within one spectrum (single transient acquisition)\n\u2022\tPolarity Switching: one cycle consisting of acquiring one full scan in positive mode and one full scan in negative mode at a rate of 1.4 Hz\n\u2022\tVarious Scan Functions: Full Scan, Data Independent Acquisition, All-Ion-Fragmentation, Multiplexed SIM (up to 20 simultaneously detected precursor ions)\n\u2022\tAdvanced Functions: Automatic Gain Control (AGC) with predictive AGC\n\u2022\tApplication Specific Software: Thermo Scientific TraceFinder (for quantitative tracing analysis), Thermo Scientific Compound Discoverer, and AcquireX Intelligent Data Acquisition Workflow\n\u2022\tGeneral: High resolution Fourier transform bench-top liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) system with an MS footprint of 71 x 77 x 54 cm (h x d x w).\nNo other commercially available instrument can provide the above whilst adhering to the small footprint (bench-top) size and the required high resolution, mass accuracy, and sensitivity.\nGiven the patented, proprietary nature of this technology and the absence of any technically equivalent alternative on the market, the procurement of the Thermo Orbitrap Exploris 240 from Thermo Scientific constitutes a justified sole-source purchase. The University confirms that no other supplier can meet the required functional specifications and integrated features necessary for our research objectives.",
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    "status": "complete",
    "title": "Transparency Notice for the Supply and Installation of a HIGH RESOLUTION FOURIER TRANSFORM BENCH-TOP LIQUID CHROMATROGRAPHY-ORBITRAP MASS SPECTROMETER (THERMO ORBITRAP EXPLORIS 240) to the University of Birmingham University of Birmingham Project Reference: SC10850/25"
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