Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Natural Resources Wales
Maes Y Ffynnon
Bangor
LL57 2DW
Contact
Naomi Hammond
naomi.hammond@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 03000653574
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKL - Wales
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
Buyer's address
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0110
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Environment
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
NRWAS Water Purification System - Service & Maintenance Contract
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 71900000 - Laboratory services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The contract involves the supply of consumables, provision of maintenance services (including diagnostics, Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM), and fault fixing), and the purchase of two additional water purification stations to integrate with the current system and maintenance contract.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Lowest offer: £152,615 / Highest offer: £212,001 taken into consideration
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 71900000 - Laboratory services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKL - Wales
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Natural Resources Wales Analytical Services (NRWAS) at Swansea University is an analytical laboratory testing samples taken from sites across Wales. NRWAS provide high quality environmental testing and analysis by professional and experienced staff operating to the highest industry standard; accredited by UKAS, the national accreditation body for the United Kingdom to ISO/IEC 17025:2005. The analysis conducted at NRWAS is Inorganic chemistry, Metals analysis, Organic chemistry, and Microbiological analysis. The testing is conducted as part of the Welsh Government’s statutory obligations set out in the European Union’s Water Framework Directive (WFD); specifically achieving prescribed environmental quality standards listed in Directives 2008/105/EC, 2013/39 and 2015/495.
De-ionised and ultrapure water is essential in analytical laboratories. Purification removes contaminants that may interfere with testing processes. Purified water is used in many ways in water quality testing laboratories for instance to make analytical reagents, to rinse glassware and to make agar for microbiological applications. NRW Analytical Services requires ultrapure water for testing water quality samples collected by NRW.
The specialised water purification system procured by NRWAS in 2020 for their laboratory at Swansea University, was supplied by Merck Life Science and is currently serviced and maintained by the supplier. The service contract was included as part of the procurement of the new system which has now expired. This procurement is for a support and maintenance contract for the existing water purification system for the next 4 years.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The contract includes the option to purchase two Milli-Q additional water purification stations to support the expansion of our operations. These new stations will be fully integrated with our existing system and covered under the same maintenance contract.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: 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:
A Speculative Notice, with requests for Expression of Interest (EOI), was posted in November to publicise this opportunity. We received two responses, one from the existing supplier and one from a company deemed unsuitable for the work. As the manufacturer and incumbent supplier, Merck Life Science Ltd, is uniquely positioned to supply the necessary consumables at a competitive rate and has the expertise to run diagnostics and undertake the Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) and fault fixing. Additionally, the manufacturer can integrate two new purification stations with our current system and maintenance contract, ensuring consistency and reliability in our operations.
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/concession
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
23 May 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Merck Life Science UK Limited
The Old Brickyard, New Road
Gillingham
SP84XT
Telephone
+44 0800717181
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Lowest offer: £152,615 / Highest offer: £212,001 taken into consideration
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
(WA Ref:141686)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Telephone
+44 2079477501
Country
United Kingdom