Scope
Reference
C30811
Description
The Radioanalytical team at Cefas Lowestoft has a requirement to replace some existing end-of-life equipment with a more efficient and reliable model. The Liquid Scintillation counter will be required to have an exceptionally low background count rate to enable necessary improvements to our already low Limits of Detection to support a range of programmes, including Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE), and to help Cefas develop systems approaches and tackle complex environmental challenges.
Scope of Requirements
The Supplier will provide an ultra-Low level Liquid Scintillation counter as follows:
3.1. with substantial passive shielding in addition to active methods of background count reduction (integral guard counter, electronic BGD reduction systems etc)
3.2. provide the lowest achievable background count rates for both alpha and beta determinations
3.3. be capable of alpha/beta discrimination and simultaneous detection and quantification of multiple radionuclides/ROI's (e.g. Plutonium alphas and Pu-241 beta emissions) at low environmental levels as well as the typical H-3, C-14, U-234/238, Ra-226, Rn-222, Y-90, Sr-89 etc
3.4. be capable of detecting beta's up to 2MeV and alpha's up to 10MeV
3.5. have beta efficiencies of at least 35% for samples with significant quench although much higher efficiencies would be anticipated for unquenched samples
3.6. have alpha efficiencies of at least 95% and Cerenkov efficiency of at least 60%
3.7. have in-built cooling to maintain appropriate, stable temperature
3.8. have internal, radioactive standard for quench correction curves
3.9. Power supply to be UK socket compatible.
Contract 1. CEFAS25-115 Contract for provision of liquid scintillation counter for Cefas laboratory
Supplier
Contract value
- £228,430 excluding VAT
- £274,116 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
28 November 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
1 December 2025
Standstill period
- End: 11 December 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
12 December 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 15 December 2025 to 31 March 2027
- 1 year, 3 months, 17 days
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Information about tenders
- 2 tenders received
- 2 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 1 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 1 supplier unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Supplier
Southern Scientific Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXMH-3166-PNVW
Scientific House Henfield Business Park,
Henfield
BN5 9SL
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ28 - West Sussex (North East)
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. CEFAS25-115 Contract for provision of liquid scintillation counter for Cefas laboratory
Contracting authority
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPGW-5299-JGTN
Pakefield Road
Lowestoft
NR33 0HT
United Kingdom
Email: procure@cefas.gov.uk
Region: UKH14 - Suffolk
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government