Procurement of Rack Washer for Constrained Laboratory Environment - Preliminary Market Engagement

1. Contracting Authority Details Name: University of Sussex Address: Sussex House, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RH Contact Point: Claire Hutchinson ________________________________________ 2. Description of Intended Procurement Title: Cage and rack washer for the Biomedical Research Facility (BRF). Estimated Value: Approx. £423,502 (inclusive of VAT) Procurement Type: Supply, installation, and commissioning of laboratory equipment CPV Code(s): 38434540 - Biomedical Equipment Additional CPV Code 42920000 - Industrial Cleaning Machinery ________________________________________ 3. Purpose of the Engagement The University of Sussex is undertaking preliminary market engagement to better understand the availability of equipment solutions that can meet a specific set of technical and structural constraints within our Biomedical Research Facility. We are particularly interested in cage and rack washers capable of operating within a 100mm maximum pit depth, due to the presence of significant structural constraints that preclude deeper pit depths and structural alterations. This notice is issued to: • Seek information from suppliers about their capability to meet these requirements. • Understand any technical or commercial developments in the market that may affect the procurement approach. • Assess whether a competitive process remains viable or whether the technical constraints may lead to a compliant direct award. ________________________________________ 4. Market Engagement Format Interested suppliers are invited to respond in writing to the questions set out in Section 6 below. Responses may be followed up with clarification calls or site visits if required. This is not a call for competition. Participation in this engagement is voluntary and will not affect the supplier's ability to participate in any future procurement. ________________________________________ 5. Background Information The BRF is a live, regulated facility with significant architectural constraints. A structural engineering investigation has confirmed that modifying the pit depth (currently 100mm) would require substantial and disruptive structural interventions. We are therefore exploring whether compliant cage and rack washers exist that function fully within this constraint. ________________________________________ 6. Information Requested from Suppliers Please respond to the following: 1. Do you offer a cage and rack washer capable of operating within a maximum 100mm pit depth? 2. What are the design, manufacturing, installation, weight and maintenance requirements for your solution? 3. Have you supplied similar solutions in constrained laboratory or animal research environments? 4. Can your equipment design be modified to meet unique spatial constraints? 5. Are you aware of any comparable installations in the UK or EU where pit depth has been a limiting factor? Please include relevant brochures, technical drawings, and references as appropriate. ________________________________________ 7. Timeline for Responses Responses should be submitted by: 10th July Send responses to: FinanceServiceDesk@sussex.ac.uk ________________________________________ 8. Confidentiality and Further Engagement All information shared during this process will be treated in confidence and used solely to inform the University's procurement strategy. A formal procurement notice will be issued in due course if a competitive procedure is pursued. ________________________________________ 9. Disclaimer This notice does not constitute a commitment to any future procurement process. The University reserves the right to revise its requirements and/or proceed via direct award where lawful grounds (e.g., Regulation 41 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2023) can be robustly demonstrated.