Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
EDGBASTON
BIRMINGHAM
B152TT
Contact
Kseniya Samsonik
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKG31 - Birmingham
Companies House
RC000645
Internet address(es)
Main address
www.birmingham.ac.uk/index.aspx
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Contract for the Supply and Installation of a 1.2 GHz NMR Spectrometer to the University of Birmingham
Reference number
SC11406/23
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 38433000 - Spectrometers
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The University of Birmingham has been awarded UKRI funds as part of an EPSRC-led UK-wide NMR Infrastructure call to purchase an ultra-high field 1.2 GHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer for the Henry Wellcome Building for Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy (HWB-NMR) and for the greater benefit of the UK life and physical sciences NMR community. Currently the highest magnetic field available for NMR, this state-of-the-art equipment will allow local PIs, collaborators and external users to remain at the forefront of international research, in terms of scientific applications, methodological development and the recruitment and training of graduate students and young researchers, fulfilling UKRI's overarching strategy to support excellence in UK science. This additional ultra-high field capability will provide a unique enabling technology, supporting a wide range of science with far-reaching impact.
It is anticipated that the 1.2 GHz NMR spectrometer will transform our scientific understanding in three key areas: (1) the spatial and temporal resolution of biological mechanisms; (2) the structure and function of materials at the atomic level; (3) the impact of environmental and chemical agents on live cells and organisms. In all three fields, the gains brought by the 1.2 GHz spectrometer will translate into new and otherwise unreachable discoveries that will benefit human wellbeing. In health and the biological sciences, a better understanding of biological mechanisms will help define novel therapeutic strategies in contexts such as infection, cancer, neuropathologies and aging. In the physical sciences, improved characterization of solid-state structures and properties will accelerate the development of new materials (e.g. for energy storage, electronic devices and drug formulations), as well as the design of industrial strategies for green chemistry. In environmental science, deeper insights into the effects of chemicals and pollutants on plant and microbial functions will facilitate design of effective routes of prevention and intervention.
The equipment to be procured comprises a superconducting magnet operating at 1.2 GHz magnetic field, a spectrometer console capable of transmitting and receiving radiofrequencies of > 1.2 GHz, one associated cryogenically-cooled probe for measurement of solution-state samples in 3 mm tubes and a solid-state 1.9 mm probe for material science.
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: £10,003,258.20
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKG31 - Birmingham
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The University of Birmingham has been awarded UKRI funds as part of an EPSRC-led UK-wide NMR Infrastructure call to purchase an ultra-high field 1.2 GHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer for the Henry Wellcome Building for Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy (HWB-NMR) and for the greater benefit of the UK life and physical sciences NMR community. Currently the highest magnetic field available for NMR, this state-of-the-art equipment will allow local PIs, collaborators and external users to remain at the forefront of international research, in terms of scientific applications, methodological development and the recruitment and training of graduate students and young researchers, fulfilling UKRI's overarching strategy to support excellence in UK science. This additional ultra-high field capability will provide a unique enabling technology, supporting a wide range of science with far-reaching impact.
It is anticipated that the 1.2 GHz NMR spectrometer will transform our scientific understanding in three key areas: (1) the spatial and temporal resolution of biological mechanisms; (2) the structure and function of materials at the atomic level; (3) the impact of environmental and chemical agents on live cells and organisms. In all three fields, the gains brought by the 1.2 GHz spectrometer will translate into new and otherwise unreachable discoveries that will benefit human wellbeing. In health and the biological sciences, a better understanding of biological mechanisms will help define novel therapeutic strategies in contexts such as infection, cancer, neuropathologies and aging. In the physical sciences, improved characterization of solid-state structures and properties will accelerate the development of new materials (e.g. for energy storage, electronic devices and drug formulations), as well as the design of industrial strategies for green chemistry. In environmental science, deeper insights into the effects of chemicals and pollutants on plant and microbial functions will facilitate design of effective routes of prevention and intervention.
The equipment to be procured comprises a superconducting magnet operating at 1.2 GHz magnetic field, a spectrometer console capable of transmitting and receiving radiofrequencies of > 1.2 GHz, one associated cryogenically-cooled probe for measurement of solution-state samples in 3 mm tubes and a solid-state 1.9 mm probe for material science.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
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 procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
The UKRI funds are awarded to the University of Birmingham for the purchase of a 1.2 GHz NMR spectrometer and a few peripheral accessories. The total cost of this purchase, which relates to the main instrument and some of the accessories, is £10,003,258.20. The 1.2 GHz magnet and spectrometer awarded to Birmingham (one of two 1.2 GHz systems funded) can only be supplied by one manufacturer in the world (Bruker). The same is true for the associated cryogenically-cooled probe operating at 1.2 GHz. Thus, we have negotiated with Bruker a package comprising of magnet, spectrometer, the cryogenically-cooled probe and the solid-state probe for material science. Both the cryogenically-cooled probe and the solid-state probe for material science are provided to us on loan and thus are part of the package but not of the purchase. EPSRC is aware that the instrument can only be supplied by one manufacturer.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2023/S 000-003593
Section five. Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
6 February 2023
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
Bruker UK Limited
Coventry
CV4 8HZ
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKG33 - Coventry
Companies House
00923986
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £10,003,258.20
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
University of Birmingham
Birmingham
B15 2TT
Country
United Kingdom