Supply of a new control unit for a SAMM - hydraulic manipulator arm

The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Karlsruhe is preparing to launch a procurement opportunity for a new control unit for a SAMM hydraulic manipulator arm. This arm is essential for handling radioactive materials in hot cells and the current control unit is outdated and cannot be repaired or replaced. The procurement is classified as a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The primary CPV code associated with the tender is 42997300, which pertains to industrial robots, with an additional code for installation services.

Eligible applicants include suppliers capable of providing the necessary control unit and while there are no specific restrictions on the size of businesses, they must demonstrate the technical qualifications and financial capability to deliver the product. This opportunity is primarily open to companies based in the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA), following standard EU procurement rules.

The contract is aimed at single suppliers rather than consortia, focusing on acquiring a specific piece of equipment. Although the precise funding amount has not been disclosed, it is indicated to be a middle/low value contract. The maximum duration for fulfilling the contract is expected to be six months.

Key milestones include a start date for expression of interest on July 10, 2025, and a deadline for this expression set for July 26, 2025. The launch of the negotiated procedure is anticipated to occur on July 28, 2025. Interested suppliers are encouraged to submit their expressions of interest electronically.

Overall, this is a notice of intent rather than a formal call for tenders, signaling potential suppliers that the procurement process will soon be initiated. Companies engaged in the supply of industrial robots and related equipment should prepare to participate as the procurement moves forward.

This is a pre-information notice, not a call for tenders. It announces the European Commission, DG JRC Joint Research Centre's intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure for the supply of a new control unit for a SAMM hydraulic manipulator arm. The procedure identifier is EC-JRC/KRU/2025/MVP/3668-EXA.

The JRC Karlsruhe plans to purchase a new control unit for a SAMM hydraulic manipulator arm. The SAMM is a hydraulic heavy duty robotic arm installed in a hot cell. It has 6 rotating joints and a gripper and is used to lift and handle relatively heavy components of the transport containers docked to hot cell during unloading / loading and opening / closing of the containers. It is also an indispensable tool for many different operations in this cell. The specific objective of this new control unit is to replace the previous control unit since there are no spare parts or repair options for the existing control unit.

The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The nature of the contract is supplies. The maximum contract duration is 6 months. There is no framework agreement. The main classification (CPV) code is 42997300 Industrial robots.

Milestones:
Start date for expression of interest: 2025-07-10 Europe/Brussels
Deadline for expression of interest: 26/07/2025 04:59 Europe/Berlin
Indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure: 2025-07-28 Europe/Berlin

The method of expression of interest is electronic. Submissions must be sent exclusively at the address for expression of interest, which is to express interest.

A question and answer section is available.

A frequently asked question is: Where can I find the procurement documents for calls for tenders with ‘ExA' in the reference? The answer is: References that feature an ‘ExA’ are not calls for tenders. They are a publication announcing the contracting authority’s intent to launch in the future a low or middle negotiated procedure. This was published on 03/10/2024 16:32.

In summary, this is a pre-information notice from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Karlsruhe. They plan to launch a negotiated procurement procedure for a new control unit for their SAMM hydraulic manipulator arm, which is used in a hot cell for handling radioactive materials. The existing control unit is obsolete, and this procurement aims to replace it. Companies interested in this opportunity should express their interest electronically, with a deadline in late July 2025. The actual call for tenders is expected to be launched shortly after the expression of interest deadline. This is not a call for tenders yet, but a heads-up for potential suppliers.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract, suggesting eligible applicants would likely be suppliers of industrial robots or related equipment. The specific types of eligible applicants are not explicitly stated, but would be businesses capable of supplying the required control unit. This could include SMEs, large enterprises, or specialized manufacturers.

Funding Type: This is a procurement opportunity, specifically a planned negotiated procedure for a supply contract.

Consortium Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, given the nature of the procurement for a specific piece of equipment (a control unit), it is more likely that single applicants or a lead applicant with subcontractors would be considered.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The opportunity is being announced by the European Commission, DG JRC. While not explicitly stated, it is likely open to entities within the EU and potentially the EEA, and possibly other countries depending on the specific terms to be outlined in the future call.

Target Sector: The target sector is industrial automation and robotics, specifically related to nuclear applications. The CPV code provided (42997300) confirms this, as it refers to industrial robots.

Mentioned Countries: The JRC Karlsruhe is mentioned, indicating that the project is based in Karlsruhe, Germany. Therefore, Germany is a mentioned country.

Project Stage: The project is at the stage of requiring a replacement component, indicating an operational or maintenance phase. The opportunity focuses on the supply of a new control unit, suggesting a need for a commercialized product rather than research or development.

Funding Amount: The opportunity is described as a "middle/low value contract," but the estimated total value is not specified. Therefore, the funding range is variable and cannot be determined from the provided information.

Application Type: The application type will be a negotiated procedure, which is planned to be launched in the future. The first step is to express interest electronically.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for supplying the new control unit. This is a monetary transaction for goods.

Application Stages: The application process appears to have at least two stages: expressing interest and then participating in the negotiated procedure. There may be further stages within the negotiated procedure itself.

Success Rates: The success rates cannot be determined from the provided information, as this is a planned procedure and no historical data is available.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not specify whether co-funding is required. Given that this is a procurement for a supply contract, co-funding is unlikely.

Summary:

This is a pre-announcement for a future negotiated procurement procedure by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Karlsruhe, Germany. The JRC plans to purchase a new control unit for a SAMM (System zur Automatisierung von Mess- und Montagearbeiten) hydraulic manipulator arm, which is a heavy-duty robotic arm used in a hot cell for handling radioactive materials. The existing control unit needs replacement due to a lack of spare parts and repair options. The procedure is described as a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The indicative start date for expression of interest is July 10, 2025, with a deadline of July 26, 2025. The indicative date for the launch of the negotiated procedure is July 28, 2025. Interested suppliers should express their interest electronically. The maximum contract duration is 6 months. This is not a call for tenders but an announcement of intent to launch a negotiated procedure. The opportunity targets suppliers of industrial robots and related equipment capable of providing a control unit for a hydraulic manipulator arm used in a nuclear environment.