---
title: "CEFAS24-89 Provision of an Automatic Cutting Machine"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-3c3d0490-75bb-47b5-b877-35aa82f6658d"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-3c3d0490-75bb-47b5-b877-35aa82f6658d"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-3c3d0490-75bb-47b5-b877-35aa82f6658d.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-3c3d0490-75bb-47b5-b877-35aa82f6658d.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "CEFAS"
published: "2024-09-05"
---

# CEFAS24-89 Provision of an Automatic Cutting Machine

Buyer: CEFAS  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-3c3d0490-75bb-47b5-b877-35aa82f6658d

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## Summary

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), based in Lowestoft, United Kingdom, recently completed a procurement process for the "CEFAS24-89 Provision of an Automatic Cutting Machine." This tender, categorised under laboratory, optical, and precision equipment, sought to acquire a specialised cutting machine designed for processing gadoid species sagittal otoliths. The procurement process employed an open procedure (below threshold) and was finalised with an award dated 7 August 2024. The contract, valued at £31,990, commenced on 9 August 2024 and will conclude on 9 August 2025.

This procurement presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in laboratory equipment and precision machinery. The tender specifically favoured SMEs, providing an excellent chance for smaller enterprises to demonstrate their niche capabilities. Suppliers with expertise in manufacturing versatile and precise cutting machines, especially those capable of innovative cutting methods for diverse biological samples, would find this contract particularly suitable. By meeting Cefas's exacting standards for accuracy and quality, suppliers can enhance their market reputation and secure future public procurement contracts.

## Notice

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. 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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c116a569-d45d-44b7-9831-68453598ce88 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 5 Sep 2024 |
| Submission deadline | 22 Jul 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 6 Aug 2024 |
| Contract period | 8 Aug 2024 - 9 Aug 2025 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £35,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £31,990 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | CEFAS |
| Locality | LOWESTOFT |
| Post town | Norwich |
| Postcode | NR33 0HT |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH6 Suffolk |
| ITL 3 | TLH63 East Suffolk |
| Local authority | East Suffolk |
| Electoral ward | Kirkley & Pakefield |
| Westminster constituency | Lowestoft |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | METPREP |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 5 Sep 2024 at 08:36 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c116a569-d45d-44b7-9831-68453598ce88
- 7 Aug 2024 at 14:56 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c1d0b510-a92b-48bb-897e-1332180187ee

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c116a569-d45d-44b7-9831-68453598ce88
  5th September 2024 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c1d0b510-a92b-48bb-897e-1332180187ee
  7th August 2024 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/d25cae89-ed51-4339-9a0c-f468688831a3
  CEFAS24-89 Cefas_Short_Form_Contract -Redacted

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-3c3d0490-75bb-47b5-b877-35aa82f6658d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-3c3d0490-75bb-47b5-b877-35aa82f6658d.json.