CEFAS26-118 Laser Diffraction Particle Size and Image Particle Shape Analyser

Cefas' laser sizer has reached the end of its useful lifespan. Replacement parts are no longer being manufactured and are becoming increasingly difficult to source. The equipment measures the fine sediment fraction, which is essential for particle size analysis. This analysis is used across most Sedimentology projects, and the resulting data supports several other areas of work within Cefas, externally and internationally.

Scope of Requirements:

Cefas requires the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of a laser diffraction particle size analyser and an image-based particle shape analyser, both using wet dispersion, together with all software and licences needed for operation and data processing, all essential accessories and components, and user and routine-maintenance training. Cefas will provide the PC and monitor required to operate the instrument(s).

1. Technical Requirement

1.1 The laser Diffraction measurement range must extend from 0.2µm or smaller to 2mm or greater.

Suppliers must submit test results generated using the proposed equipment to demonstrate its measurement capability. The test may be carried out using either a sample provided by Cefas, available on request from the publication of the tender, or an alternative suitable sample selected by the supplier. Use of a Cefas-provided sample is not mandatory, and the source or type of sample used will not affect the evaluation or score.

The submitted results must clearly demonstrate the measurement range achieved by the proposed equipment. Solutions demonstrating a measurement range exceeding the minimum requirement may receive a higher score.

1.2 The laser Diffraction measurement time must take no longer than 60 seconds per run

1.3 The software will be able to export data at half-phi intervals in a format compatible with Microsoft Excel.

1.4 The proposed solution must include a shape analyser, either integrated or as a separate module, so the Sedimentology team can determine the specific shape of particles within a sediment sample, including plastic fragments. The total cost of the complete solution must remain within the maximum available budget.

1.5 The instrument(s) must operate from a standard UK 3-pin plug.

1.6 The combined weight of the equipment and essential modules must not exceed 90kg.

1.7 Total bench footprint of the completed solution must not exceed 80cm (depth) x 150cm (width).

2. Environmental Considerations

2.1. Unit should have a low power consumption.

2.2. Unit should be designed for reuse/remanufacture and of regenerative nature to eliminate waste where possible.

2.3. 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.

2.4. Consideration of life cycle assessment for the equipment.

3. Hardware, Software, Licences and operating systems

3.1 Cefas will provide the PC and monitor required to operate the instrument(s).

The supplier will provide details of how the proposed equipment and associated software will be secured when connected to Cefas systems, including any security requirements or configuration that Cefas will need to have in place.

For information purposes only, the supplier must also provide the minimum PC hardware and system requirements necessary for full operation of the proposed solution.

3.2 The solution must be compatible with Windows 11 version 26H2 configured to NCSC standards. The supplier will be responsible for installing and configuring all required instrument software on the Cefas-provided PC as part of the installation and commissioning process.

3.3 All software required for routine operation of the instrument(s), data processing, analysis and export must be included within the tender solution and supplied with a perpetual licence, included within the purchase price.

3.4 Software updates will not install automatically. Cefas will opt in to updates on a case by case basis. The supplier will confirm frequency of software updates and whether they are included in the price or charged separately.

4. Installation and Training

4.1 The supplier will be responsible for delivery, positioning, installation and commissioning of instrument by a suitably qualified engineer, using Cefas’ existing infrastructure (water and power), with support from Cefas. This will include installation and configuration of the required instrument software on the Cefas-provided PC. Supplier will outline any site, hardware, connectivity or IT requirements that Cefas needs to have in place before installation.

4.2 The supplier will provide training covering instrument operation, sample analysis, software operation, data processing and export, cleaning, routine maintenance and basic troubleshooting. In-person training at Cefas Lowestoft is preferred; however, alternative delivery methods may be proposed where appropriate.

5. Ease of maintenance and Servicing

5.1 The instrument will allow routine maintenance and simple fixes to be carried out by trained Cefas users.

5.2 Components requiring routine cleaning or replacement will be easy to access and capable of being removed and refitted using standard tools wherever practicable.

5.3 The supplier will be able to offer annual preventative maintenance/servicing. The supplier will provide details of the available service levels, frequency of servicing, scope of cover and associated annual costs. The associated costs must be provided in the Additional/Optional Costs Table in the RFQ part 2 - Pricing Schedule. This information and associated pricing are requested for information purposes only and will not form part of the tender evaluation.

5.4 In the event of a breakdown, the supplier will provide an initial response within 24 hours. Where an on-site visit is required, attendance must be available within one week. The supplier should aim to complete repairs within two weeks, subject to parts availability and the nature of the fault. A service report detailing the fault, diagnostic work, action taken and any further recommendations must be provided following any on-site work.

5.5 The supplier will provide remote diagnostics and support for troubleshooting performance issues during normal working hours via Microsoft Teams.

6. Parts and Consumables

6.1 Essential replacement parts will be available for procurement and delivery within two weeks. The supplier must provide typical lead times for critical replacement parts and routine consumables.

6.2 Parts, consumables, and technical support must be available for at least 10 years from the contract start date. The supplier must notify Cefas as early as reasonably practicable if any critical component or consumable is expected to become obsolete or unavailable.

7. Warranties, Guarantees

7.1 Warranties will start from the point of acceptance of delivery and once the goods have been tested to ensure they are in working order. Cefas expects a minimum warranty period of 12 months to be included in the purchase price. The level of technical support available during the warranty period (remote and/or on-site) must be detailed in the supplier's response.

7.2 Suppliers are also invited to provide pricing information on potential servicing packages and extended warranty options in the Pricing Schedule in RFQ Part II. Any pricing provided for extended warranty and servicing package options will not be included as part of the tender evaluation. The Authority reserves the right to decide, at the contract award stage, whether an extended warranty will be added to the purchase.

Delivery Date:

Contract signature is estimated as 28th December 2026.

The deliver will happen as soon as possible following contract signature, ideally by the end of January 2027.

It is essential that delivery is made to Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory no later than the week commencing 01/03/2027. You should confirm lead time in your bid submission.

Please refrain from bidding if you are unable to guarantee delivery by this date.

If the awarded supplier is unable to meet the delivery date agreed in the final Contract, Cefas reserves the right to terminate the Contract as per the Conditions of Contract.