Award

CEFAS25-55 Contract for the supply of a Precision Cutting Machine

CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

10 Jun 2025 at 09:03

Summary of the contracting process

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), a central government public authority based in Lowestoft, UK, is the buying organisation for the procurement process titled "CEFAS25-55 Contract for the supply of a Precision Cutting Machine." This contract has reached the award stage, with MetPrep Limited from Coventry, UK, selected as the supplier. The procurement concerns the industry category of laboratory, optical, and precision equipment and was completed on 6th June 2025. The contract, valued at £29,684.00, will run from 9th June 2025 to 1st June 2026. The procurement method was direct, being classified as below threshold and executed without competition.

This tender represents significant opportunities for companies specialising in precision cutting equipment, particularly those capable of meeting advanced technical requirements. The demand for precision accuracy, technological capabilities like laser light alignment, and environmental considerations align well with businesses focusing on innovation and sustainability. SMEs with experience in creating high-quality, adaptive equipment suitable for diverse and evolving project needs are well-positioned to engage similar future opportunities with public authorities like Cefas, supporting business growth through public procurement contracts. Businesses that can offer comprehensive service agreements ensuring ready availability of parts and maintenance services will find themselves preferred partners in such projects.

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Notice Title

CEFAS25-55 Contract for the supply of a Precision Cutting Machine

Notice Description

Cefas require a cutting machine to compliment a suite of cutting machines that contribute to the processing of over 60k otoliths annually. This machine will be mainly used for the sectioning of gadoid species sagittal otoliths embedded in epoxy resin. Due to the mean size of these otoliths Cefas uses a specialised mould different from other species, requiring a machine with increased table movement to capture all of the mould rows in use. Cefas requires any new machine to be versatile in the workpiece clamping/holding setup as occasionally other biological material will be sectioned dependant on active projects at the time. Scope of Requirements: Cefas require a cutting machine that will produce top quality samples with precision accuracy. In order to reproduce the surface quality of otolith sections Cefas need to be able to replicate the cutting movement of the previous machine, therefore X, Y & Z-axis movement is necessary. Cefas are required to prepare samples from an expanding range of species from around the world. It is a requirement to develop new and innovative cutting methods in addition, to replicate protocols that are already in use by other institutes. These methods will enable Cefas to meet age determination validation requirements by producing clean, well defined annuli on sections which increases accuracy of reading for in-house readers and external QC partners. It is essential that the machine accommodates compatible discs that offer a high quality cut and that these discs are readily available. 1. Technical Requirement 1.1 Micrometer precision accuracy 1.2 Laser light technology for lining up samples 1.3 Servo-controlled X,Y & Z axis movement 1.4 Table with T-slot attachment capability 1.5 Single phase 240V 50Hz power supply 1.6 Variable speed motor, at least 300-3000rpm 1.7 Benchtop machine, no proprietary stands/supports 1.8 Fully enclosed cutting chamber 1.9 Fully adjustable coolant direction 1.10 Illuminated cutting chamber 1.11 External coolant fluid sump 1.12 Mist exhaust port present. Existing coolant mist removal system will attach 1.13 Large cutting chamber and table to hold Cefas standard sample blocks (115 x 76mm) 1.14 Programmable sectioning modes 1.15 Wide range of clamping tools 1.16 Accommodates good quality cutting discs for improved sample finish, that are readily available 1.17 2. Environmental Considerations * Unit should have a low power consumption. * Unit should be designed for reuse/remanufacture and of regenerative nature to eliminate waste where possible. * Consideration of how packaging will be managed. Ideally at the time of installation the supplier will remove packaging and dispose of by ethical and environmentally friendly methods. Where possible packaging is to be re-used or recycled. * Consideration of life cycle assessment for the equipment. 3. Hardware, Software, PC, Licenses, operating systems 3.1 The machine must be able to hold Cefas standard sample blocks (115 x 76mm) 3.2 The machine must have a Mist exhaust port present as Cefas existing coolant mist removal system may be required to be attached. 4. Compatibility with existing hardware/software/equipment 4.1 The machine must be able to hold Cefas standard sample blocks (115 x 76mm) 3.2 The machine must have a Mist exhaust port present as Cefas existing coolant mist removal system may be required to be attached. 5. Installation 5.1 Any user maintainable aspects of the system should be described in the bid submission. This is to include any limitations where there are no user serviceable aspects. 6. Ease of maintenance 6.1 Able to accommodate good quality cutting discs providing consistent high standard samples that are readily available. 6.2 Short lead time for deliveries. 6.3 Cefas require any potentially required parts and consumables to be available for at least the next 5 years. 7. Parts, Consumables and Updates 7.1 Warranties will start from the point of acceptance of delivery. Cefas expect minimum warranty period of 12 months to be included in the purchase. 7.2 Due to the waste resin buildup created in the cutting process Cefas require the machine to be serviced every 2 years as a minimum. 8. Warranties, Guarantees, Servicing 8.1 Warranties will start from the point of acceptance of delivery. Cefas expect minimum warranty period of at least 12 months to be included in the purchase.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0545ce
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031145-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

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

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£29,684 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Jun 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
5 Jun 20258 months ago
Contract Period
8 Jun 2025 - 1 Jun 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procure@cefas.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LOWESTOFT
Postcode
NR33 0HT
Post Town
Norwich
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH63 East Suffolk
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
East Suffolk
Electoral Ward
Kirkley & Pakefield
Westminster Constituency
Lowestoft

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

METPREP

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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