Soft Market Testing in Relation to the Procurement of a Time of Flight Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer

This Soft Market Test is for the supply of a Time of Flight Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (TOF-ICP-MS) for the Geochemistry Group of the University of Southampton based at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton. NOCS is the integrated collaboration between the Southampton-based part of the National Oceanography Centre, and the University of Southampton's Ocean and Earth Science Department. The Centre hosts one of the world's largest groups of scientists and engineers devoted to research, teaching and technology development in ocean and earth science. The instrument we seek will complement our existing instrument capabilities (including Multi-collector ICP-MS, Sector Magnet ICP-MS and Quad ICP-MS).The requirements are for a TOF-ICP-MS instrument that will provide accurate and precise simultaneous quantitative analyses of trace and major elements in a wide range of sample matrices introduced via solution, laser ablation and other coupled devices. Sample types will include both natural materials (rocks and minerals, seawater, other natural waters, biological materials, etc.) and synthetic materials (nanoparticles, manufactured products, etc.).

Additional information: The University is utilising an electronic tendering tool (In-Tend: https://intendhost.co.uk/universityofsouthampton) to manage this soft market testing exercise and to communicate with participating organisations.

All documentation in relation to this tender can be downloaded from InTend.

Participating organisations are advised that there will be no hard copy documents issued to organisations and all communications with the University including the submission of Soft market testing questionnaires will be conducted via In-Tend.

Regular monitoring of In-Tend is the responsibility of the participating organisation.

If you are not already registered as a supplier with the University of Southampton, you will need to register in In-Tend in order to access the soft market testing documentation.

Once you have logged in: click on 'Tenders'; locate the relevant project; and click 'View details'. Once you are in the project screen, you will be able to register your company against the project and access all documentation by clicking 'Express interest'.

Further instructions for the submission of soft market testing questionnaires are below.

To submit your return, please follow the instructions below: 1. Log In 2. Click 'Tenders' 3. Locate the relevant project 4. View Details 5. Click on the tab relating to the relevant project stage (e.g. 'Soft Market Testing') 6. Click on the 'Attach documents' button and upload your return. 7. Check ALL your response documents are uploaded and displayed in the "My tender return" panel. The system will only permit your organisation to make one return. 8. Click the red "Submit return" button. Please note that, to preserve the integrity of the soft market testing exercise, all queries must made be via the correspondence function within In-Tend.

The deadline for the return of completed Soft market testing questionnaires is 23rd January 2020 (12.00 noon).

Please Note:

This early engagement notice is issued solely for the purpose of conducting pre-procurement market engagement and does not constitute any commitment to undertake any procurement in the future.

Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to the soft market testing exercise and a response to this notice does not guarantee any invitation to participate in this exercise or any future procurement.

This notice does not constitute a call for competition to procure any services, supplies or works mentioned in this notice and the University will not accept any proposals offered in response to this notice.

The University of Southampton is not liable for any costs, fees, or expenses incurred by any party in replying to this early engagement notice and/or providing a soft market testing exercise response.