Scope
Reference
OUPA10912
Description
Modification of contract to facilitate the supply and install of two Daiken chiller units within the OU laboratory facilities
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £400,000 excluding VAT
- £480,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
4 March 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 5 March 2026 to 31 March 2027
- 1 year, 27 days
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 42513000 - Refrigerating and freezing equipment
Contract locations
- UKJ12 - Milton Keynes
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
- Single supplier - technical reasons
- Additional or repeat goods, services or works - extension or partial replacement
This is a modification of contract with JCW Energy Services, awarded on 18 March 2024.
The existing chillers setup at the OU facility comprises two Daikin units operating in a lead/lag configuration. This tandem operation ensures efficient load sharing and redundancy, with one chiller acting as the primary unit and the second engaging as demand increases. The chillers are integrated into a process cooling system that supports critical laboratory equipment, where uninterrupted and precise temperature control is essential.
Given the proprietary controls and communication protocols between the existing Daikin chillers, selecting Daikin for any replacement or expansion is crucial. This ensures seamless integration, maintains system reliability, and avoids compatibility issues that could compromise the performance of the labs.
As JCW are the incumbent maintenance contractor, they are familiar with the system, controls and pipework and the cause and effect of removing one unit and running the service only on the other unit. They are also best placed to ensure the installation of the new unit is compatible with the building system and they will be fully responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the unit during the initial warranty period, as well as outside the warranty period. (There will be no issues over who will be responsible for what if a third party contractor supplies and installs the new chiller).
The building houses laboratories that have high value equipment and long term research that can not be interrupted by changes in the temperature of the laboratory environment. By using JCW to replace the existing chiller and the second chiller in 6 to 12 months' time, will significantly reduce the risks to system failure and ongoing research.
Supplier
JCW ENERGY SERVICES LIMITED
- Companies House: 08831030
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXWX-5258-JGZQ
7 Saxon Way
Melbourn
SG8 6DN
United Kingdom
Email: gemma.holmes@jcwes.com
Website: http://www.jcwes.com
Region: UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
THE OPEN UNIVERSITY
- Charity Commission (England and Wales): RC000391
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYNW-6296-ZJQQ
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
United Kingdom
Email: finance-tenders@open.ac.uk
Region: UKJ12 - Milton Keynes
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government