Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
UK Research & Innovation
UK Research and Innovation, Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon
SN2 1FL
Contact
Chloe Lacy
Telephone
+44 01793298902
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Research
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
UKRI-4697 EPAC Optic Bundle 4
Reference number
UKRI-4697
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The work involves an upgrade of the existing EPAC facility to introduce a second beamline in the pump laser section of EPAC. This purchase is for an EPAC Bundle 4.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £184,500
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UNITED KINGDOM
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
In order to ensure efficiency of operation, maintenance and to share operational costs of spares and resources this second beamline will be a duplicate of the original. This requires an additional Optic Bundle 4. This optical bundle is highly specialist, and operationally critical pieces of equipment, which have been developed in collaboration with the CLF over the past 10 years. The previous designs have been fully tested and integrated into the current facility and work very well for the intended use. They are based on 10 years of development work and represent significant work on both the part of STFC and MPO to ensure effective integration and operation.
They are absolutely necessary components of the EPAC laser system, the optics already in place have been fully integrated into the EPAC overall control and machine protections systems. In taking this approach we ensure that spare parts for these optics can be used on the original system and on the second beamline. The compatibility between the two beamlines is critical as we already have spare parts from the first beamline which can, if needed, be used on the second beamline, this in turn saves the facility money as the spare parts are already available and time as these spare parts are already stored on site at RAL. The upgrade will ensure the optical systems for the second beamline operate in the same manner as the existing system.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2.14) Additional information
The term and conditions relating to this purchase are provided in the Contract, which matches the Contract number cited in the narrative to this Purchase Order and are specific to this Contract. Where the Contract number is not so cited, then our standard terms and conditions will apply which are available at :- https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/UKRI-090123-ProcurementContractData-2658-December2022.pdf
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- absence of competition for technical reasons
Explanation:
The original manufacturer of the optical system for EPAC’s first beamline was supplied by MPO who have intimate knowledge of the design and operation of the existing system from previously contracted deliveries under contracts PR16037. This is a direct replica of the existing system in EPAC. The previous designs have been fully tested and integrated into the current facility. They are based on 10 years of development work and represent significant work on both the part of STFC and MPO to ensure effective integration and operation. The spare parts for these optics can be used on the original system and on the second beamline. The compatibility between the two beamlines are critical, as we already have spare parts from the first beamline which can, if needed, be used on the second beamline which allows the beamlines to stay functioning. For these reasons, STFC have awarded to MPO in accordance to regulation 32 for absence of competition, for technical reasons.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
UKRI-4697
Title
UKRI-4697 EPAC Optic Bundle 4
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
12 February 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Manx Precision Optics Ltd.
Units 11-12a, Isle of Man Freeport
Ballasalla
IM9 2AP
Telephone
+44 1624620800
Country
Isle of Man
NUTS code
- IM - Isle of Man
National registration number
N/A
Internet address
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £184,500
Total value of the contract/lot: £184,500
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
To view this notice, please click here:
https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=921305575
GO Reference: GO-2025213-PRO-29422823
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
UK Research & Innovation
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon
SN2 1FL
Telephone
+44 1793867000
Country
United Kingdom