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Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system upgrade

Northumbria University

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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22 Oct 2026 at 12:10

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northumbria University procured an upgrade to the existing Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system in its Aerodynamics Laboratory wind tunnel. The package includes a FlowSense FCX2 5M-260 scientific camera, Performance Synchronizer with encoder input, CoaXPress12 frame grabber, Scheimpflug mount, Zeiss Milvus 21mm lens and 90-degree mirror unit, plus reinstatement of the DynamicStudio Software Update Agreement. This is specialist measurement and control equipment for the university’s existing PIV installation. Delivery is in the United Kingdom; the procurement identifies no more specific delivery place.

The procurement is complete and was awarded to DANTEC DYNAMICS LTD. The contract was signed on 30 September 2026 and runs from 1 October 2026 to 19 February 2027. Its gross value is £39,956. The university used a below-threshold direct award without competition, relying on the supplier’s original-equipment-manufacturer status: the required hardware interfaces and software updates had to be compatible with Northumbria’s installed system, and alternatives could not interface with its proprietary hardware or extend the existing software licence. The procurement was a single lot for goods. The stated basis for the award was technical compatibility with the existing installation.

This award demonstrates demand at Northumbria University for specialist PIV equipment and upgrades that integrate with its Aerodynamics Laboratory wind-tunnel installation. A credible supplier for a similar requirement would need to provide compatible scientific imaging hardware, synchronisation and frame-grabbing components, optical mounts and lenses, as well as support for the associated proprietary software agreement. The buyer’s stated rationale makes compatibility with its installed hardware and software central: suppliers offering equipment that cannot connect to the existing setup or extend the licence would not meet this requirement. The work is suited to a specialist manufacturer or authorised provider with the technical capability to supply and support an integrated upgrade, rather than a general equipment supplier.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system upgrade

Notice Description

Northumbria University has procured an upgrade to its existing Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system in the Aerodynamics Laboratory wind tunnel. The procurement comprises a FlowSense FCX2 5M-260 scientific camera, Performance Synchronizer with encoder input, CoaXPress12 frame grabber, Scheimpflug mount, Zeiss Milvus 21mm lens, 90-degree mirror unit, and reinstatement of the proprietary DynamicStudio Software Update Agreement. As the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), the supplier is the sole manufacturer and licensor capable of providing hardware interfaces and software updates that are electronically, optically, and algorithmically compatible with the University's installed infrastructure. Third-party alternatives cannot interface with the proprietary hardware setup or extend the existing software licence, making a competitive tender technically unviable.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078dc9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/099926-2026
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
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

38424000 - Measuring and control equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£39,956 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Oct 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Oct 2026 - 19 Feb 2027 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Northumbria University
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Postcode
NE1 8ST
Postcode Area
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC43 Tyneside
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Newcastle upon Tyne
Electoral Ward
Monument
Westminster Constituency
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Dantec Dynamics Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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