Purchase of Ceramic Additive Layer Manufacturing Machine

CPV: Electrical equipment and apparatus

Procedure method

Negotiated without publication of a contract notice

Legal basis

CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)

Procurement category

Goods

Notice status

Awarded

Procurement threshold

Unspecified in notice

Regulatory regime

Standard

Commercial structure

Stand-alone contract (no framework)

Competition type

Competitive procedure

GPA / WTO covered

Unspecified in notice

Recurring procurement

Unspecified in notice

First published

5 Dec 2024, 15:13 GMT

Last source update

5 Dec 2024, 15:13 GMT

Authority reference

SC13320/24

FTS notice number

2024/S 000-039273

Classification (CPV)

Electrical equipment and apparatus

Delivery area

West Midlands (UKG)

Official registry OCID

ocds-h6vhtk-04c2a2 Find a Tender

Why no open competition

The products involved are manufactured purely for the purpose of research, experiment, study or development under the conditions stated in the directive

Published justification

Due to the nature of the materials to be developed it is necessary for the green body to be supported during fabrication, thereby avoiding creep and distortion. This can be achieved in both upward and downward build directions, but only the Prodways technology allows building of ceramic bodies larger than the size already stated above. Therefore, the proprietary downward building MOVINGLight® technology must be used.

Also, being the manufacturer, as well as the developer and holder of proprietary technology, Prodways has the expertise that positions them uniquely for the ongoing development of equipment. The proprietary nature of Prodways technology is affirmed by a series of patents, as summarized in Attachment A. Furthermore, Prodways has extensive design, materials specification/selection and equipment assembly know-how that is embodied in the production of this specialized equipment.

As Prodways are the only manufacturer of the MOVINGLight® technology, and are also the only ones who can provide the support, training and installation for these systems, we cannot obtain this type of equipment from any other provider. Prodways is the sole provider of equipment and replacement parts for MOVINGLight® systems.

This unique position of Prodways as both manufacturer and patent holder of MOVINGLight® technology translates into our sole reliance on them to provide not only the hardware and software components but also the indispensable training and engineering support essential for the optimal operation of the machine. Their proprietary knowledge and technical expertise extend to servicing the equipment and offering invaluable guidance on resolving technical challenges. This makes them the unrivalled choice for our DLP ALM facility. No other company possesses the capability to furnish us with a machine of the same capability and technical support. This service is particularly essential, as the materials to be formulated may require operation of the equipment outside the manufacturing parameters presently considered normal or typical of such equipment.

Prodways holds a unique position for several reasons, which sets them apart from other companies and makes them the only choice for the DLP ALM Facility:

Proprietary Technology: Prodways MOVINGLight® technology is the only one that allows manufacture of large scale ceramic bodies free from residual stresses, and it is proprietary and patented, as indicated by the list of patents provided. This means that Prodways have exclusive rights to this innovative technology, giving them a competitive advantage. Other companies may use different engineering solutions that do not offer the same advantages or capabilities (in particular, they would not be designed to operate with the same precision and rate at the necessary scale). Moreover, non- MOVINGLight® based technologies are not compatible with the aim and goals of the DLP ALM Facility.

Unique properties of Prodways MOVINGLight® DLP ALM ceramic fabrication technologies that are specifically sought for the Facility are:

• Build volume 260 x 320 x 350 mm (x-y-z) at a native pixel size of 31 microns with a layer thickness between 50 and 175 microns with downward build to achieve buoyancy support of the green body during manufacture.

These properties are unique to MOVINGLight® machines manufactured and designed by Prodways, and are not available from other providers.

Full explanation has been included in the prior information

• Prodways MachinesAwarded supplier499 568 814 00077 FRANCE, FR

No document links were published on the notice.