Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
University of St Andrews
Walter Bower House, Eden Campus
Guardbridge
KY16 0US
Contact
Adrian Wood
Telephone
+44 1334462523
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM72 - Clackmannanshire and Fife
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/procurement/
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00111
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
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences: StAGE laboratory 193nm Excimer Laser Ablation System
Reference number
EES/221024/NG/SL
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 38636100 - Lasers
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The School of Earth and Environmental Sciences seeks tender submissions for a new 193nm Excimer Laser Ablation System to be coupled with existing ICPMS instruments (a QQQ-ICPMS and a MC-ICPMS), for analysis of a wide array of natural samples including minerals and silicate meteorites.
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: £220,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 38636100 - Lasers
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM72 - Clackmannanshire and Fife
Main site or place of performance
UK-St Andrews
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Laser system:
An 193nm UV excimer laser ablation system for ablation of silicate, phosphate, oxide and carbonate minerals to make trace element and isotope ratio measurements by split-stream coupling the laser system to a multi-collector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer and a collision cell “triple quad” inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Ideally it would have an integrated LIBS detector and the ability to pair LIBS and LA-ICPMS analyses.
We require a 193 nm, short pulse (<7 ns) excimer laser system, capable of delivering a variable sized, homogeneous beam to produce reproducible, sharp-sided ablation pits in a range of matrices including: silicate, phosphate, carbonate and oxide minerals.
A two-volume sample chamber is required to allow efficient transfer of ablated material from samples of a range of sizes to the mass spectrometer(s) with rapid wash out to allow for efficient compositional imaging.
The ablation system will come with automated control of laser functions, x-y-z positioning of sample and carrier gas flows. The system will include high quality imaging of the sample to be ablated, and be capable of making 2D and 3D chemical images.
The system will be technically assessed against the Mandatory and Desirables Requirements. In overall scope our requirements include:
size and quality of the ablated pit, with emphasis on the smallest diameter of well-formed pits
depth of laser focus, allowing reproducible ablation of material on rough surfaces across a long traverse
two-volume sample chamber
reproducibility and robustness of stage positioning and correlation with reference images
reproducibility of trace element concentrations and isotope ratios across the sample cell
rapid computer-controlled switching between different spot sizes including x/y/angle shutter for making and rotating rectangles
speed and efficiency of sample wash out
quality of sample imaging optics
ease of use
small and reproducible laser induced elemental and isotopic fractionation
good pulse to pulse energy stability
capability of efficiently and reproducibly ablating a range of natural materials, including: silicate minerals including zircon, phosphates including monazite and apatite; oxides including cassiterite; carbonates including calcite
LIBS capability
2D/3D chemical mapping of sample sections via raster and drill-down
We wish be able to integrate the sample image with an independent sample map (for example obtained by secondary electron imaging). We also require the laser to generate independent triggering and synchronisation signals. The instrument is to be compatible with operation in conjunction with an Agilent 8800 Triple Quad and a Nu Plasma 1 multicollector ICPMSs. The system should be able to simultaneously trigger these instruments.
Key Requirements
A 193 nm Excimer laser capable of delivering a variable sized, homogeneous beam to produce reproducible, sharp-sided ablation pits in a range of matrices including: silicate, phosphate, carbonate and oxide minerals.
Automated control of laser functions, x-y-z positioning of sample and carrier gas flows, with sample imaging and a two-volume ablation chamber.
System must generate independent triggering and synchronisation signals, as frequently as each laser pulse.
Laser pulse length <7ns.
Two-volume sample chamber, capable of holding large diameter samples
Integrated mass flow controller(s) for carrier gas (He) (and ideally additional gas (N2))
User friendly software capable of running predefined spots automatically and unattended.
Please see tender documents for full details.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Ability & Technical Performance / Weighting: 40
Quality criterion - Name: Delivery, Installation, Testing, Training / Weighting: 7.5
Quality criterion - Name: Warranty & After Sales / Weighting: 15
Quality criterion - Name: Reference Installations / Weighting: 5
Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability / Weighting: 7.5
Price - Weighting: 25
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
All tenders for the University of St Andrews are administered through our eTendering System (InTend).To Express an Interest please go to our tender website at https://intendhost.co.uk/universityofstandrews
Please note that 'Notes of Interest' placed via PCS (Public Contracts Scotland) are not automatically accepted
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
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: 2024/S 000-034254
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
29 January 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 2
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 2
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 2
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 2
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Datech Scientific Limited
2 Wortley Road, Deepcar
Sheffield
S36 2UZ
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £220,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
All tenders for the University of St Andrews are administered through our eTendering System (InTend).To Express an Interest please go to our tender website at https://intendhost.co.uk/universityofstandrews
Please note that 'Notes of Interest' placed via PCS (Public Contracts Scotland) are not automatically accepted
(SC Ref:789068)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Dundee Sheriff Court
6 West Bell Street
Dundee
DD1 9AD
Telephone
+44 1382229961
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
The University of St Andrews will incorporate a minimum of 10 calendar day standstill period at the point of information on the award of the contract being communicated to tenderers. This period allows unsuccessful tenderers to seek further debriefing from the contracting authority before the contract is entered into. Applicants have 2 working days from the notification of the award decision to request additional debriefing and that information has to be provided a minimum of 3 working days before the expiry of the standstill period. Such additional information should be requested from The University of St Andrews.
If an appeal regarding the award of contract has not been successfully resolved The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2012 provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rule to take action in the Sheriff Court or Court of Session.
The anticipated review body in such cases would be:
Dundee Sheriff Court
6 West Bell Street
Dundee
DD1 9AD
Telephone: +44 1382 229 961
Anyone bringing court proceedings against the University of St Andrews must inform the University of St Andrews in advance of the alleged breach and its intention to bring proceedings. Any such action must be brought within 15 days of the date on which a decision is sent to them or published to challenge that decision.
Proceedings seeking an ineffectiveness order must be brought within 30 days of the publication of the contract award notice in the OJEU, or 30 days from the date of a decision letter to all tenderers concerned, and any candidates concerned, containing a summary of the reason for the recipient being unsuccessful, otherwise 6 months from the date of entering into the contract or concluding the framework agreement.
Where a contract has not been entered into the Court may, by interim order, suspend the procurement procedure. The court may also set aside a decision or actions taken by the University or order it to amend and document; and/or award damages. However, by express requirement the court may decide not to grant an interim order when the negative consequences of such an order are likely to outweigh the benefits, having regard to a number of considerations.
If the contract has been entered into the Court may, depending on the nature of the breach: make an ineffectiveness order; impose a financial penalty; shorten the duration of the contract; make any other order considered appropriate to address the consequences of ineffectiveness or shortening the duration or the contract; award damages.