Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
The University of Keele
Procurement Office, Directorate of Finance, Innovation Centre 1, Keele University Science and Innovation Park,
Keele, Staffordshire
ST5 5NB
Contact
Darren Pearce
Telephone
+44 1782734124
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKG24 - Staffordshire CC
Companies House
Company number RC000655
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofkeele/aspx/Home
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
VEAT Notice Intention to award a public supply contract for the HyDEX Project for the design, supply, installation and maintenance of equipment for the provision of a Hydrogen Refuelling Station (HRS), including onsite production of hydrogen via electrolysis and the dispensing of hydrogen fuel for the University of Keele
Reference number
KU/657/DP/EE/2024
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 24111600 - Hydrogen
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
Intention to award a Public Services contract under Regulation 32 (2) (b) (iii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 for the HyDEX Project for the design, supply, installation and maintenance of equipment for the provision of a Hydrogen Refuelling Station (HRS), including onsite production of hydrogen via electrolysis and the dispensing of hydrogen fuel for the University of Keele.
The Negotiated Procedure without Prior Publication is being followed and is justified under Regulation 32 (2) (b) (iii).
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: £907,325
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 63712600 - Vehicle refuelling services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKG24 - Staffordshire CC
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The project's key requirements and the core deliverables are summarised below.
FCSL is committed to working in partnership with the University of Keele to ensure that the scope of the project and the deliverables quantified below will form part of the contract onboarding process.
To install a Containerised Electrolyser System (CES) capable of generating a minimum of 10kg of Hydrogen per day. The quality of the hydrogen produced is to be of a purity compliant with: ISO14687-2; SAE J2719.
To install a high-pressure storage system, capable of storing a sufficient mass of hydrogen at a sufficiently high pressure to enable multiple hydrogen vehicles to be successfully refuelled within a 24-hour period.
To implement a static hydrogen boosting system with the capability to enhance the output generated by the electrolyser system, directing it efficiently into the high-pressure storage system. This boosting system must effectively handle the maximum output capacity of the electrolyser, while ensuring a seamless boost to meet the high-pressure storage system's maximum allowable pressure.
Incorporate as part of an integral aspect of the system's design, remote communications capabilities, facilitating access to operational data, and system diagnostics features. These features will ensure seamless monitoring and enables prompt responsiveness thereby enhancing the overall functionality and efficiency of the system.
The envisioned HRS is expected to be safe, reliable, easy to operate, and adaptable for potential relocation to different sites in the future. The land adjacent to the Low Carbon Energy Generation Park has been identified as the intended location for the HRS installation, which is intended to cater for the refuelling of multiple hydrogen vehicles.
It is agreed that the University of Keele will undertake the responsibility for the delivery and completion of all civil engineering works requirements, including but not limited to enabling the provision of electrical supply, water supply, and lighting to support the installation and commissioning of the hydrogen electrolyser container and the HRS equipment at the designated site location.
The system's expected availability is a crucial consideration, and will be designed for minimal downtime, preferably none or very limited during routine maintenance and servicing.
The anticipated operational commencement date for the site is to be determined by the University of Keele, with the earliest available start date from FCSL being early Q4 2024.
FCSL will endeavour to support the University of Keele to achieve functional production of Green Hydrogen by end of September 2024. This is a very tight timeline, and FCSL will aim to support the installation of an interim solution to meet this requirement.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated without a prior call for competition
- The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights
Explanation:
This VEAT notice is hereby made pursuant of the University's intention and the prescribed justification set out herein to award a public supply contract using the Negotiated Procedure without prior publication (Regulation 32 (2) (b) (iii)). A subsequent award notice will be published following the successful conclusion of this VEAT Notice.
It is the intention of the University pursuant to its obligations under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, that a supply contract will be awarded to the stated provider on the basis that:
Fuel Cell Systems Limited and University of Keele will agree the contract terms and scope of the project deliverables, hereinafter will seek to execute the legal contract following the successful completion of the 10 days Standstill period.
Fuel Cell Systems (FCSL) is a UK leading supplier of hydrogen and fuel cell equipment, with over 20 years of experience within the industry. FCSL have designed and manufactured some of the UK's first Hydrogen Refuelling Systems and have refuelled planes, trains and automobiles (and also boats, buses and scooters).
FCSL equipment has been utilised for most of the trials within the UK and the team have worked with key OEMs such as Toyota & BMW.
FCSL has partnered with the University and worked very closely with key personnel as part of the HYDEX Project over the last 24 months to ensure the right solution is designed and is installed as part of the project.
FCSL has an exclusive proprietary off the shelf specialised Hydrogen system offering, which can be deployed within the very challenging timescale and operational environment that is required for the University of Keele to utilise as predicated under the project funding agreement.
FCSL will lead on all the design, supply, installation and ongoing maintenance of all the equipment required to achieve the project deliverables.
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
5 July 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
Fuel Cell Systems Limited
Station Yard,
Hungerford, Berkshire
RG17 0DY
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ1 - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Companies House
Company Number 7411241
Internet address
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £907,325
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
This is a VEAT notice to show our intention to award a public supply contract using the Negotiated Procedure without prior publication (Regulation 32 (2) (b)(iii)).
A subsequent award notice will be published in due course.
It is the intention of the University pursuant to its obligations under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, that a supply contract will be awarded to the stated provider on the basis that:
- the University and Fuel Cell Systems Limited have both agreed the contract terms predicated on the project proposal, and
- the successful completion of the 10 days Standstill period.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court of England and Wales
Royal Courts of Justice, Strand,
London
WCA2 2LL
Country
United Kingdom