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The Supply Delivery Installation and Commissioning of a Power Distribution System

University of Strathclyde

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

21 Sep 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F1 - Prior Information Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Strathclyde is planning to procure a DC power distribution system for the expansion of testing capability at its ANZIC facility in Glasgow. The requirement is expected to cover the design, manufacture or supply, integration, testing, delivery and commissioning of a mobile indoor DC Power Distribution Cabinet, together with active and passive insulation, current and voltage monitoring systems. The cabinet will distribute power between multiple DC sources and loads at up to 1500 VDC, with high-current busbars, IT-system earthing and facilities for safe inspection and maintenance. The work also includes technical drawings, calculations, test certificates, warranties, operating instructions and maintenance documentation. The proposed structure has three lots: the cabinet, active insulation monitoring, and passive insulation, current and voltage monitoring equipment.

This is a preliminary market consultation at the planning stage, before any live procurement or invitation to tender. The University expects to use the engagement to test supplier capability, technical solutions and delivery models, and may carry out further engagement. Interested businesses are expected to register their interest by 5 October 2026. A further notice is currently anticipated for 22 September 2026. The proposed three-lot structure remains subject to revision as the procurement approach is finalised. The procurement is for goods and is expected to be conducted under the open procedure, with the detailed competition arrangements to be confirmed. The technical scope includes compliance with IEC 61439, IEC 60664 and IEC 62477, cabinet dimensions below 2.8 metres high and 2 metres in length and width, and integration of monitoring equipment within a common DC distribution system.

This consultation will suit manufacturers, systems integrators and specialist electrical engineering firms with experience of high-voltage DC distribution, industrial power equipment and electrical safety systems. Relevant capability includes designing and commissioning equipment for IT earthing systems operating up to 1500 VDC, high-current busbars rated at 2500 A, and insulation monitoring using active devices and resistor bridges. Suppliers should be able to integrate cabinet, monitoring, protection, instrumentation, thermal management and external interfaces, while providing safe access, isolation and fault detection. Experience of producing calculations, drawings, calibration and functional test evidence, certification, warranties and maintenance documentation will be important. Businesses able to offer complete solutions or specialist equipment for one proposed lot can use the consultation to explain their delivery model and technical dependencies.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

The Supply Delivery Installation and Commissioning of a Power Distribution System

Notice Description

In accordance with Regulation 41 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, the University is issuing this notice to undertake Preliminary Market Consultation prior to commencing any live procurement process. The University of Strathclyde (UoS) seeks expressions of interest from suppliers capable of providing a DC Power Distribution Cabinet (PDC) solution to support the expansion of testing capability within the ANZIC facility. The market engagement will explore supplier capability, technical solutions and delivery models for a requirement expected to include a PDC incorporating active and passive insulation monitoring functionality.

Lot Information

DC Power Distribution Cabinet

This lot will include: Design, manufacture, supply, testing, delivery and commissioning of a mobile, indoor DC Power Distribution Cabinet capable of distributing power between multiple DC sources and loads at operating voltages up to 1500 VDC. The cabinet shall incorporate common positive and negative DC busbars with a continuous withstand current rating of 2500 A, together with an IT-system reference and bonding bus. Internal creepage and clearance distances shall be appropriate for the nominal system voltage, and the cabinet shall be designed and constructed in accordance with applicable standards, including IEC 61439, IEC 60664 and IEC 62477. The cabinet shall provide a minimum of 14 positive, 14 negative and 16 IT-system earth or bonding connections. DC connections should use PowerSafe/Powerlock-style panel connectors rated to 800 A, with red L1-keyed panel-drain connectors for positive terminals and black L2-keyed panel-drain connectors for negative terminals. The external IT-system earth bar shall support the connection of external equipment through bolted lugs using 16 equally spaced pre-drilled holes. Provision of PowerSafe earth panel connectors is also desirable. The enclosure shall provide suitable mounting space, power supplies, cable-routing paths and interfaces for the active and passive insulation monitoring equipment described under Lots 2 and 3. It shall also provide accessible and clearly labelled busbars, facilities for measuring the potential between the positive and negative DC poles, and safe access for inspection, maintenance and the removal or replacement of major components. The cabinet shall achieve a minimum ingress protection rating of IP32 and incorporate appropriate thermal management for all installed equipment. It shall be capable of movement within the facility using industrial castors with locking brakes, or a base frame suitable for transportation by pallet or forklift truck. The overall dimensions shall be less than 2.8 metres in height and less than 2 metres in both length and width. The scope shall include general arrangement drawings, equipment warranties, busbar and thermal calculations, test certificates, maintenance manuals and all other documentation required to demonstrate a safe, compliant and operational solution.. Please note that the proposed lot structure remains under review and may be subject to revision as the procurement approach is finalised.

Active Insulation Monitoring System

This lot will include: Design, supply, integration, testing and commissioning of an active insulation monitoring system for incorporation within the DC Power Distribution Cabinet and operation on an IT earthing system at voltages up to 1500 VDC. The system shall incorporate an Isometer or technically equivalent insulation monitoring device capable of detecting insulation resistance down to 1 kO and operating with a system capacitance of up to 1000 uF. The scope shall include the insulation monitoring device, associated power supply, mounting arrangements, protection equipment, cable-routing paths and connections to the positive and negative DC busbars and IT-system bonding arrangements. The active monitoring system shall continuously monitor insulation resistance and support the detection, indication and investigation of insulation faults within connected DC sources, loads and associated equipment. The active monitoring system shall be coordinated with the passive resistor bridge described under Lot 3. The design shall allow the resistor bridge to be isolated from the positive and negative DC busbars when active insulation-resistance testing is required, preventing the low impedance of the resistors from influencing operation of the Isometer. The interface should preferably permit external isolation through panel-mounted switches with a clear indication of isolation status, without requiring the removal or opening of cabinet access panels. The scope shall include all necessary design and interface information, configuration, functional testing, calibration where applicable, commissioning support, test certification, warranties, operating instructions and maintenance documentation. The supplier shall also identify any technical dependencies or interface requirements necessary to integrate the active monitoring system with the cabinet, passive monitoring equipment and the Authority's proposed IT earthing arrangement.. Please note that the proposed lot structure remains under review and may be subject to revision as the procurement approach is finalised

Passive Insulation, Current and Voltage Monitoring System

This lot will include: Design, supply, integration, testing and commissioning of the passive insulation monitoring and associated electrical measurement equipment for incorporation within the DC Power Distribution Cabinet. The passive monitoring system shall include a resistor bridge comprising one resistor connected between positive DC and the common earth electrode and one resistor connected between negative DC and the common earth electrode. The resistors shall have nominally equal resistance values of 600 O and each shall be capable of continuous operation at 600 VDC across its terminals and dissipation of 600 W. In normal operation, the nominal voltage across each resistor is expected to be approximately half the overall system voltage, with an anticipated current of approximately 0.5 A through the series arrangement. The resistors shall establish a virtual midpoint between the positive and negative DC poles for IT-system integrity monitoring. They shall be mounted to permit safe inspection, removal and replacement, with appropriate spacing, ventilation and thermal management to dissipate the heat generated during operation. The resistor bridge shall be capable of isolation from both the positive and negative busbars, preferably through externally accessible, panel-mounted isolation switches providing a clear visual indication of isolation status. The scope shall include a high-quality DC current transducer, using Hall-effect or equivalent technology, installed between the resistor midpoint and the common earth electrode or bonding bus. The transducer shall have a measurement range of 0 to 5 A and sufficient resolution to detect changes of 1 mA. A suitable power supply shall be provided for the active sensor, together with external connections through fused instrumentation-voltage terminals, such as banana sockets, to enable connection of external measurement equipment. The system shall also include an internally mounted voltage transducer capable of monitoring the DC potential between the positive and negative busbars at voltages up to 1500 VDC and providing a +-10 V external output. This may comprise a Verivolt IsoBlock V-1c or an equivalent product, together with a suitable power supply, protection arrangements, monitoring points and external instrumentation connections. The IT earthing arrangement shall include an internal earth or bonding bar connected to the midpoint of the resistor bridge. The resistor midpoint shall connect at one end of this bar, with all other bonded connections positioned on one side of that point, allowing the associated insulation-monitoring current transducer to be located between the resistor midpoint and all other bonded elements. The system shall also provide an external earth or bonding point suitable for the equipotential bonding of multiple connected power devices through bolted-lug connections. The scope shall include all necessary equipment, wiring, protection, isolation, thermal calculations, functional testing, calibration where applicable, test certification, warranties, operating instructions and maintenance documentation.. Please note that the proposed lot structure remains under review and may be subject to revision as the procurement approach is finalised.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000842109
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP564949
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F1 - Prior Information Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

CPV Codes

31213000 - Distribution equipment

31213100 - Distribution boxes

31213400 - Distribution system

31214000 - Switchgear

31214500 - Electric switchboards

31214510 - Distribution switchboards

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Sep 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
22 Sep 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

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

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G1 1XU
Postcode Area
Glasgow
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM82 Glasgow City
Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North East

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP564949
    The Supply Delivery Installation and Commissioning of a Power Distribution System - In accordance with Regulation 41 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, the University is issuing this notice to undertake Preliminary Market Consultation prior to commencing any live procurement process. The University of Strathclyde (UoS) seeks expressions of interest from suppliers capable of providing a DC Power Distribution Cabinet (PDC) solution to support the expansion of testing capability within the ANZIC facility. The market engagement will explore supplier capability, technical solutions and delivery models for a requirement expected to include a PDC incorporating active and passive insulation monitoring functionality.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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