The aim of this request for information is to find out the availability of in situ spatial transcriptomics equipment. The procurement unit aims to obtain comprehensive information of the equipment above. This information may be used in a possible future call for tenders.

This request for information is not a call for tenders, but aims to gather information and knowledge of the mentioned equipment in the market. This prior information notice does not obligate the procurement unit for any actions. All information presented in this prior information notice is preliminary and indicative. This notice is not binding on any kind of solutions or actions. The suppliers are not paid for responding to this request for information or participating in a possible technical dialogue.

HUS Group is considering a procurement of the above mentioned equipment, and therefore we kindly ask the possible vendors to answer to this request for information.

The specifications for the equipment of this request for information are as follows:

1) In situ spatial transcriptomics equipment that enables accurate measurement of RNA molecules in tissue samples for the purposes of experimental research by using an imaging method.

2) This must be able to perform an internal preliminary analysis in a visual form (onboard analytics) and must be available in its entirety after the tissue analysis without a need for any additional examinations, such as separate sequencing, to detect gene expression.

3) Provides a panel of at least 5,000 genes as a standard delivery, including cell segmentation modeling.

4) The possibility to individualize a panel of at least 480 genes, covering more than 95% of the human genes.

5) In an individualized gene panel, SNVs (single nucleotide variants) and gene isoforms can also be studied.

6) Sample material: formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue or fresh tissue (incl. frozen tissue) from humans or mice.

7) The workflow must not destroy the sample.

8) After the analysis, tissue staining can be applied to the sample slide in the pathology laboratory according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

9) Must process analysis panels of a maximum of 1–480 genes with a weekly volume of 8 cubic centimetres or analysis panels of 481–5,100 genes with a weekly volume of 4 cubic centimetres.

10) Maximum price EUR 300,000, which includes a 24-month extended warranty and the instruments for operating in a situation where the equipment is set up in a facility that has a room-specific compressed air connection with a control valve.

11) The equipment must be widely available worldwide.

12) Efficient data processing in which the file size of the analysis of a single tissue slide must be less than 100 GB when optimized.

13) A license-free imaging-based analysis tool for Windows and Mac platforms and a free file-based analysis tool for the Linux operating system.

14) Studies conducted using the equipment have been published in international publication series at Publication Forum level 3.

Responses to this request for information should include at least the brochure of the device. The answers to this request for information are asked to be sent by e-mail to [email protected], at the latest on January 28th 2024.