Analysis support for monitoring sewage in relation to SARS-CoV-2.

Description

Persons infected with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (hereafter called 'SARS-CoV-2') secrete the virus through body secretions and faeces. SARS-CoV-2 in the population can therefore be monitored by examining the amounts of virus in sewage water from municipalities. When sewage is monitored, sewage samples are collected from a sewage treatment plant and transported to a laboratory. The sewage samples are examined in the laboratory with a PCR method for deposits of SARS-CoV-2. Positive samples are screened for selected virus variants and can be further analysed with sequencing if required. The period between the analyses (daily, several times a week, weekly) can be determined according to the aim of the monitoring. When the analysis results are made available, they are interpreted in relation to the other epidemiological monitoring that is carried out, and thereby contribute to increased knowledge on the spread of infection and relevant measures. Lot 1: The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (hereafter called 'NIPH' would like to test this type of sewage based monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in order to consider its usefulness. Parallel to testing out the method, a plan will be prepared as to how the method can be scaled up and implemented across the board, so that it can potentially be part of the national covid-19 monitoring, provided that the central authorities decide to do this. The primary aim of the contract is to test a concept for SARS-CoV-2 monitoring in sewage water from treatment plants in Norway, as well as get experience with this method with a view to future areas of use as regards monitoring. Practical and logistical conditions such as sample taking frequency, the number of sample taking locations, and the usefulness of variant screening are central conditions that will be included in the background experience. The contract is for the tenderer's assistance with the analysis of sewage samples for the occurrence (quantitative and qualitative analyses) of SARS-CoV-2 on behalf of NIPH. Screening analyses of virus variants (VOC/VOI) are included in the assignment. Sequencing SARS-CoV-2 positive samples is to be priced as an option, but this is not a requirement and will primarily be taken care of by NIPH. The tenderer must, minimum 1-2 times a week, collect, transport, and analyse sewage samples from approx. 12 Norwegian sewage treatment plants for a 6 month period, with an option for a further 6+6 months. The analyse results must be continually reported to NIPH. The tenderer will be responsible for collecting and transporting the sewage samples from the sample taking locations to the tenderer, as well as for storing and transporting extracted RNA from the positive samples to the Reference Laboratory at NIPH. The tenderer must have the capacity to analyse minimum 24 samples a week on the date the contract is signed. Furthermore, the tenderer must be able to increase capacity with 14 days notice, so that the tenderer can transport, analyse, and report minimum 50 samples from a total of 25 different sewage treatment plants a week. NIPH will have an option too expand and reduce the contract quantitatively - number of samples and locations. This includes an expansion and reduction of the number of treatment plants that will be included in the monitoring, as well as the frequency of analyses, inclusive an equivalent increase/reduction in the logistics of the sample material. A contract will be signed with one tenderer. The duration will be 6 months, with an option to extend for 6+6 months. The contract is estimated to have a value of approx. NOK 15 million. The estimated amount is only a guideline and carries no obligation for the contracting authority or rights for the tenderer. This means that the contracting authority is not obliged to make call-offs for all of the included services. Subject to financing.