Scope
Reference
ID 6121070
Description
The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) require the provision of six Eddy Covariance (EC) flux towers equipped with CO2 and CH4 analysers to specifically address DAERA strategic objectives associated with the Green Growth Strategy and Net
Zero Carbon initiative. In addition, AFBI require the provision of two compact single-laser trace gas analysers to facilitate the monitoring of N2O, an equally potent GHG, at two of the six towers.
This Contract agreement will comprise of 3 Lots, details of which are set out below
Lot 1 - Supply and Delivery of Six (6) Eddy Covariance (EC) Flux Tower systems, with
each EC Flux Tower system consisting of the full Biomet and greenhouse gases (GHGs)
sensor infrastructure (hardware and software) required for the correct measurement and
calculation of terrestrial fluxes of the greenhouse gases (GHGs) carbon dioxide (CO2),
using the EC method
Lot 2 - Supply and Delivery of Six (6) methane (CH4) analysers designed specifically for EC flux systems for terrestrial environments
Lot 3 - Supply and Delivery of Two (2) Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) System trace gas analysers to monitor nitrous oxide (N2O).
Each Lot will be evaluated and awarded independently of each other. There are no
restrictions on the number of lots a Supplier can bid for or be awarded. Suppliers must ensure that if they are bidding for multiple Lots that they have the capacity to deliver in the event that they are successful in more than one Lot. Delivery of all lots must be completed by 31st March 2026.
Lot 1. Six (6) Eddy Covariance (EC) Flux Tower systems
Description
Supply and Delivery of Six (6) Eddy Covariance (EC) Flux Tower systems, with each EC Flux Tower system consisting of the full Biomet and greenhouse gases (GHGs) sensor infrastructure (hardware and software) required for the correct measurement and calculation of terrestrial fluxes of the greenhouse gases (GHGs) carbon dioxide (CO2) using the EC method.
Lot 2. Six (6) - Open Path Atmospheric Methane (CH4) Analysers
Description
Supply and Delivery of Six (6) methane (CH4) analysers designed specifically for EC flux systems for terrestrial environments.
Contract 1. AFBI - SAFSD Supply and Delivery of Flux Towers and N2O Equipment
Lots
Lot 1. Six (6) Eddy Covariance (EC) Flux Tower systems
Supplier
Contract value
- £518,877.60 excluding VAT
- £622,653.12 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
17 February 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
17 February 2026
Standstill period
- End: 27 February 2026
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
28 February 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 2 March 2026 to 31 March 2029
- Possible extension to 31 March 2031
- 5 years, 30 days
Description of possible extension:
There will be two optional extension periods of up to 12 months each (1+1)
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 42000000 - Industrial machinery
- 31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
Contract locations
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Contract 2. AFBI - SAFSD Supply and Delivery of Flux Towers and N2O Equipment
Lots
Lot 2. Six (6) - Open Path Atmospheric Methane (CH4) Analysers
Supplier
Contract value
- £359,994 excluding VAT
- £431,992.80 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
17 February 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
17 February 2026
Standstill period
- End: 27 February 2026
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
28 February 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 2 March 2026 to 31 March 2029
- Possible extension to 31 March 2031
- 5 years, 30 days
Description of possible extension:
There will be two optional extension periods of up to 12 months each (1+1)
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 42000000 - Industrial machinery
- 31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
Contract locations
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Information about tenders
Lot 1. Six (6) Eddy Covariance (EC) Flux Tower systems
- 2 tenders received
- 2 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 0 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 1 supplier unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Lot 2. Six (6) - Open Path Atmospheric Methane (CH4) Analysers
- 1 tender received
- 1 tender assessed in the final stage:
- 0 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 0 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Lots that will not be awarded
Lot 3. Two (2) Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) System Trace Gas Analysers, to monitor nitrous oxide (N2O)
Description
Supply and Delivery of Two (2) Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) System trace gas analysers to monitor nitrous oxide (N2O).
CPV classifications
- 31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting
- 42000000 - Industrial machinery
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 38432100 - Gas-analysis apparatus
- 38434000 - Analysers
- 38430000 - Detection and analysis apparatus
- 90731600 - Methane monitoring
Date of decision not to award
17 February 2026
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Supplier
LI-COR Biosciences UK Ltd
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRBD-3536-MLZX
St. Johns Innovation Centre Cowley Road
Cambridge
CB4 0WS
United Kingdom
Email: envsales-uk@licor.com
Region: UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. AFBI - SAFSD Supply and Delivery of Flux Towers and N2O Equipment
Contract 2. AFBI - SAFSD Supply and Delivery of Flux Towers and N2O Equipment
Contracting authority
Agri-Food and Biosciences InstitutePublic Procurement Organisation
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBLN-5294-NVHZ
18a Newforge Lane
Belfast
BT9 5PX
United Kingdom
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
CPD - Supplies & Services Division
Summary of their role in this procurement: Construction and Procurement Delivery - Supplies and Services Division, is a Centre of Procurement Expertise and provides a central procurement function for central government in Northern Ireland
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVWG-8426-YWXV
Clare House 303 Airport Road West
Belfast
BT3 9ED
United Kingdom
Region: UKN06 - Belfast