Tender

ITT - Research Scanning Electron Microscope

  • National Physical Laboratory

F02: Contract notice

Notice identifier: 2022/S 000-026316

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0369dc

Published 21 September 2022, 10:32am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

National Physical Laboratory

Hampton Road

Teddington

TW11 0LW

Email

charley.choules@npl.co.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UK - United Kingdom

Internet address(es)

Main address

www.npl.co.uk

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

https://lupc.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

https://lupc.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Other activity

Research


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

ITT - Research Scanning Electron Microscope

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

The National Physical Laboratory [NPL] requirement is for a Scanning Electron Microscope suitable for high resolution micro-structural characterisation of a wide range of samples. Imaging capabilities should encompass ultra-high resolution of biological nanoparticles with dimensions of 10 nm through to image acquisition of regions > 10 mm in size through stitching of multiple images. Conductive and non-conductive samples will require to be imaged and methods for charge dissipation without significant loss of resolution will be required.

The microscope is also required to be suitable for analytical measurements by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD). Detectors for these methods should be supplied as an integrated solution and the system must be capable of high beam current densities to enable these detectors to run at their highest possible rates whilst also maintaining capabilities for high resolution imaging with low beam currents.

It is also intended to use the microscope for in situ micromechanical testing, so the specification also includes the provision of a mechanical test stage suitable for testing of mm scale test samples, including heating to high temperatures.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The National Physical Laboratory [NPL] requirement is for a Scanning Electron Microscope suitable for high resolution micro-structural characterisation of a wide range of samples. Imaging capabilities should encompass ultra-high resolution of biological nanoparticles with dimensions of 10 nm through to image acquisition of regions > 10 mm in size through stitching of multiple images. Conductive and non-conductive samples will require to be imaged and methods for charge dissipation without significant loss of resolution will be required.

The microscope is also required to be suitable for analytical measurements by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD). Detectors for these methods should be supplied as an integrated solution and the system must be capable of high beam current densities to enable these detectors to run at their highest possible rates whilst also maintaining capabilities for high resolution imaging with low beam currents.

It is also intended to use the microscope for in situ micromechanical testing, so the specification also includes the provision of a mechanical test stage suitable for testing of mm scale test samples, including heating to high temperatures.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Start date

30 December 2022

End date

29 December 2023

This contract is subject to renewal

No

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

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


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: No

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date

21 October 2022

Local time

5:00pm

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English

four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders

Date

21 October 2022

Local time

5:00pm


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: No

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

NPL Management Ltd

Hampton Road

Teddington

TW11 0LW

Country

United Kingdom