Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth, Devon
PL4 8AA
Contact
Kim Steer
Telephone
+44 01752588534
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKK41 - Plymouth
National registration number
1128013
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/about-us/university-structure/service-areas/procurement
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
Didactic Learning System
Reference number
KS/UOP/DIDACTIC_SYSTEM/057/24
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 30210000 - Data-processing machines (hardware)
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The contract will be for the supply of specialist research laboratory/training equipment comprising two wind turbine nacelle systems, the nacelle being the part of the turbine that houses the components that transform the wind’s kinetic energy into mechanical energy to turn a generator that produces electricity. We will also require two three-phase power converters to operate this specialist equipment in our lab environment. The contract includes a two year warranty.
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: £120,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 44316400 - Hardware
- 51611100 - Hardware installation services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKK41 - Plymouth
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The contract will be for the supply of specialist research laboratory/training equipment comprising two wind turbine nacelle systems, the nacelle being the part of the turbine that houses the components that transform the wind’s kinetic energy into mechanical energy to turn a generator that produces electricity. We will also require two three-phase power converters to operate this specialist equipment in our lab environment. The contract includes a two year warranty.
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
two.2.14) Additional information
The University of Plymouth intends to award this contract following 10 days from the date of publication of this notice.
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:
The Education Nacelle is unique as it is the real hardware you would find in a wind turbine nacelle, but safely packaged into a standalone system with a custom teaching interface to access data and software. This differs significantly from (1) engineering and teaching simulations, that are only somewhat accurate but not accurate down to the hardware and (2) real wind turbine equipment where a huge cost is in the encasings (e.g., shell) which are built to be weather proof.
As we are only interested in the computing components, option 2 has been a dead end as talking to wind turbine suppliers often confuses them. They are unable to sell us just the important computing parts connected to engineering components scaled down to a classroom size, and they are also unable to change their products to be safe for a lab/classroom environment.
When we tried to buy components directly from wind turbine manufacturers, theses challenges we were unable to overcome. The issue with (1) is as we are researching the cyber-physical security of wind turbines, simulation is not sufficient, we need the actual hardware and computing devices, just not all the extra engineering bits, and if we do need it, we need it scaled down for a safer (and more compact) lab setting.
One important aspect is this is a SIMENS based nacelle instead of a GE, which is very useful as our partners (e.g., ORE catapult) primarily use SEIMENS based turbines/nacelles.
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
11 November 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
Didactic Services Ltd
Applied Automation Centre, Centre, Rm 0.6, 55 Caswell Road
Brackmills
NN4 7PY
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKF24 - West Northamptonshire
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £120,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
This is a voluntary ex ante transparency (VEAT) notice, indicating that the University of Plymouth intends to enter into a contract with Didactic Services Ltd (Festo Didactic, Official Partner, GB).
The contract will be for the supply of specialist research laboratory/training equipment comprising two wind turbine nacelle systems, the nacelle being the part of the turbine that houses the components that transform the wind’s kinetic energy into mechanical energy to turn a generator that produces electricity. We will also require two three-phase power converters to operate this specialist equipment in our lab environment. The contract includes a two year warranty.
The value shown on this notice is the total cost of purchasing the two nacelle systems and power converters.
The University of Plymouth intends to award this contract following 10 days from the date of publication of this notice.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth
PL48AA
Country
United Kingdom