Leasing of a Laser Powder Bed Fusion 3D Metal Printer

The School of Engineering wants to lease a Laser Powder Bed Fusion 3D Metal Printer for a fixed term of 3 years with the option to extend for up to an additional 2 years.

The metal printer will support world-leading research utilising new materials and printing methods and extend the capability of the 2D and 3D printing currently undertaken within the School.

Applications for metal printing can be found in aerospace, defence, automotive, healthcare, and many other industries and will lead to revolutionary new medical, electronic, mechanical, optical, acoustic, heat transfer, and sensing devices being designed and manufactured.

This is due to the many advantages, including design flexibility, product customisation, and minimisation of material waste, that printing offers over subtractive manufacturing.

The use of Additive Manufacturing (AM) means that geometries are no longer constrained to the limited base stock that components are traditionally machined from.

The University is conducting this procurement using the Open Procedure in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations for the purpose of procuring the goods described in the Specification.

The University proposes to enter into a Contract for 5 years and 6 months - this will be the maximum contract period.

This will comprise of an initial contract period of 3 years and 6 months for the provision of the equipment and the initial 3 years lease term, with an optional extension period of two years additional leasing.

The contract will be effective upon signing. The 3 year initial lease term will run from the date of acceptance of the equipment.

The estimated value of the contract is £500,000.00 excluding VAT. This will be the maximum contract value for the full contract period including any extension periods. This value includes all related components, services and maintenance for the contract period.

E-Tendering Portal: The University is utilising an electronic tendering tool, In-Tend (https://intendhost.co.uk/ universityofsouthampton) to manage this procurement and to communicate with potential suppliers and/or tenderers (as appropriate).

All documentation in relation to this tender can be downloaded from In-Tend.

Tenderers are advised that there will be no hard copy documents issued and all communications with the University, including the submission of Selection Stage and/or Invitation to Tender responses will be conducted via In-Tend.

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 procurement documentation.