Scope
Reference
C30811
Description
The Radioanalytical team at Cefas Lowestoft has a requirement to replace some existing end-of-life equipment with a more efficient and reliable model. The Liquid Scintillation counter will have an exceptionally low background count rate to enable necessary improvements to our already low Limits of Detection to support a range of programmes, including Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE), and to help Cefas develop systems approaches and tackle complex environmental challenges.
The Supplier will provide an ultra-Low level Liquid Scintillation counter as follows:
3.1. with substantial passive shielding in addition to active methods of background count reduction (integral guard counter, electronic BGD reduction systems etc)
3.2. provide the lowest achievable background count rates for both alpha and beta determinations
3.3. be capable of alpha/beta discrimination and simultaneous detection and quantification of multiple radionuclides/ROI’s (e.g. Plutonium alphas and Pu-241 beta emissions) at low environmental levels as well as the typical H-3, C-14, U-234/238, Ra-226, Rn-222, Y-90, Sr-89 etc
3.4. be capable of detecting beta’s up to 2MeV and alpha’s up to 10MeV
3.5. have beta efficiencies of at least 35% for samples with significant quench although much higher efficiencies would be anticipated for unquenched samples
3.6. have alpha efficiencies of at least 95% and Cerenkov efficiency of at least 60%
3.7. have in-built cooling to maintain appropriate, stable temperature
3.8. have internal, radioactive standard for quench correction curves
3.9. Power supply to be UK socket compatible.
Contract 2. CEFAS25-115 Contract for liquid scintillation counter for Cefas laboratory
Supplier
Contract value
- £228,430 excluding VAT
- £274,116 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
12 December 2025
Contract dates
- 13 December 2025 to 30 April 2027
- 1 year, 4 months, 19 days
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Supplier
Southern Scientific Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXMH-3166-PNVW
Scientific House Henfield Business Park
Henfield
BN5 9SL
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ28 - West Sussex (North East)
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 2. CEFAS25-115 Contract for liquid scintillation counter for Cefas laboratory
Contracting authority
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPGW-5299-JGTN
Pakefield Road
Lowestoft
NR33 0HT
United Kingdom
Email: procure@cefas.gov.uk
Region: UKH14 - Suffolk
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government