Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Newcastle University
Newcastle University, Procurement Services, Kingsgate
Newcastle
NE1 7RU
Contact
Mr Dave Anderson
Telephone
+44 1912085360
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKZ - Extra-Regio NUTS 1
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
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
(NU/1722) Supply of a comprehensive Ultrafast Transient Absorption Spectroscopy and Microscopy Facility
Reference number
DN575877
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 North East ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy and microscopy facility (based at
Newcastle University) will be a unique national facility to fulfil a strategically and critically
important research infrastructure gap in the region. The facility aligns with the institutional
strategy that includes the establishment of Centres for Research Excellence in Energy, Data
and Cancer and the establishment of NU Academic Track Fellowships, several of whom will
benefit from this facility. Transient absorption spectroscopy is a key tool that enables
scientists to probe the identity, formation and fate of short-lived, energetic species formed
on excitation with light (e.g. from a laser). It permits ultrafast optical and near infrared
spectroscopy on a range of molecular, biological and functional material systems to provide
critical mechanistic information on light-induced reaction pathways. This includes tracking
the dynamics of key excited state and charge-transfer intermediates that lie at the heart of a
vast amount of chemistry, from solar energy conversion to enzyme reactions. This national
facility will support several multidisciplinary fields with substantial potential for societal and
economic impact, including
(1) Energy (e.g. emerging photovoltaic technology, solar-driven H2 evolution and CO2
conversion to fuels and feedstocks) research which is supported by joint, collaborative
centres, the EPSRC/ISCF North East Centre for Energy Materials (NECEM) and the EPSRC
Centre for Doctoral Training in Renewable Energy at North east Universities (ReNU).
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(2) Photonic materials and metamaterials (e.g. Organic LEDs, energy transfer in solid state
materials, 2D and 3D materials in LEDs and waveguides).
(3) Chemical Biology and Biological Chemistry (bio-imaging, radiochemistry, photodynamic
therapy-related cancer research and drug discovery) including the Cancer Research centre
and EPSRC Centre for Doctoral training MosMed.
This facility is being funded though an EPSRC Strategic Equipment grant EP/W006340/1
The scope of this contract is for the supply, delivery and installation of the equipment as
detailed in the ITT to the University, with after-sales support and 24 months warranty and
maintenance.
The contract reference was NU/1722.
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: £618,633
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC22 - Tyneside
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The North East ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy and microscopy facility (based at
Newcastle University) will be a unique national facility to fulfil a strategically and critically
important research infrastructure gap in the region. The facility aligns with the institutional
strategy that includes the establishment of Centres for Research Excellence in Energy, Data
and Cancer and the establishment of NU Academic Track Fellowships, several of whom will
benefit from this facility. Transient absorption spectroscopy is a key tool that enables
scientists to probe the identity, formation and fate of short-lived, energetic species formed
on excitation with light (e.g. from a laser). It permits ultrafast optical and near infrared
spectroscopy on a range of molecular, biological and functional material systems to provide
critical mechanistic information on light-induced reaction pathways. This includes tracking
the dynamics of key excited state and charge-transfer intermediates that lie at the heart of a
vast amount of chemistry, from solar energy conversion to enzyme reactions. This national
facility will support several multidisciplinary fields with substantial potential for societal and
economic impact, including
(1) Energy (e.g. emerging photovoltaic technology, solar-driven H2 evolution and CO2
conversion to fuels and feedstocks) research which is supported by joint, collaborative
centres, the EPSRC/ISCF North East Centre for Energy Materials (NECEM) and the EPSRC
Centre for Doctoral Training in Renewable Energy at North east Universities (ReNU).
Page 4 to 8
(2) Photonic materials and metamaterials (e.g. Organic LEDs, energy transfer in solid state
materials, 2D and 3D materials in LEDs and waveguides).
(3) Chemical Biology and Biological Chemistry (bio-imaging, radiochemistry, photodynamic
therapy-related cancer research and drug discovery) including the Cancer Research centre
and EPSRC Centre for Doctoral training MosMed.
This facility is being funded though an EPSRC Strategic Equipment grant EP/W006340/1
The scope of this contract is for the supply, delivery and installation of the equipment as
detailed in the ITT to the University, with after-sales support and 24 months warranty and
maintenance.
The contract reference was NU/1722.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Ability to meet Technical Specification / Weighting: 40
Quality criterion - Name: Quality of the Warranty, Maintenance and Servicing / Weighting: 7.5
Quality criterion - Name: After-Sales Support / Weighting: 7.5
Quality criterion - Name: Delivery / Weighting: 5
Price - Weighting: 40
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: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2021/S 000-025700
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
1
Lot No
1
Title
(NU/1722) Supply of a comprehensive Ultrafast Transient Absorption Spectroscopy and Microscopy Facility
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
17 January 2022
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 1
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Ultrafast Systems LLC
8330 Consumer Ct
Sarasota
34240
Country
United States
NUTS code
- US - United States
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £618,633
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
United States
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
The University will incorporate a standstill period at the point information on the award of the
contract is communicated to tenderers. That notification will provide full information on the
award decision. The standstill period, which will be for a minimum of 10 calendar days,
provides time for unsuccessful tenderers to challenge the award decision before the
contract is entered into.
The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (SI 2015 No 102) provide for aggrieved parties who
have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High
Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) within 30 days of knowledge or constructive
knowledge of breach.