Intention notice – Slide-scanner for use by pathologists

The Norwegian Veterinary Institute (VI) intends to procure a slide-scanner for use at the institute ́s office in Bergen. The procurement is necessary to handle the increasing demand for digital slides, reduce bottlenecks in production and ensure robust operation during downtime at other locations.

The procurement will be carried out without a competition pursuant to the Public Procurement Regulations (FOA) § 13-4 letter b no. 2, which gives access to a contract without competition when competition is impossible for technical reasons and there are no reasonable alternative solutions.

The scanner shall be part of VI ́s existing platform for digital pathology, which is based on Hamamatsu technology at other locations, and where experience shows that standardisation on one platform is necessary for efficient and reliable operation.

The new system must be compatible with existing systems, including file formats, software and established work processes. The existing system is based on proprietary formats with limited interoperability, and alternative solutions will require comprehensive adaptations, including file conversion and changes in work flow.

The Norwegian Veterinary Institute has experience with parallel use of different scanner platforms. The experience shows that this leads to increased complexity, increased use of resources and increased risk in diagnostic work. Pathology diagnostics activities are seen as a significant professional risk.

Establishing several parallel platforms will also incur increased costs connected to operation, maintenance, training and system management. The total technical, operational and economic consequences are assessed as disproportionate.

Based on this, alternative solutions are not considered real in accordance with the procurement regulations § 13-4. The terms for procurements without a competition will therefore be seen as fulfilled.