Supply of an Analytical Ultracentrifuge (AUC)

The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) has issued a call for tenders (EC-JRC/IPR/2025/OP/2019) for the procurement of an Analytical Ultracentrifuge (AUC). This procurement is valued at €520,000 and involves the supply of a sophisticated analytical instrument that includes both absorbance and interference optics, designed for analyzing small molecular species and particulates in solution and suspension.

Eligible applicants for this opportunity include manufacturers and suppliers of laboratory equipment, which may encompass both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as large enterprises. The funding mechanism is categorized as procurement rather than a grant, indicating that the European Commission acts as the buyer, with the successful bidder receiving payment for the supply and associated services.

The opportunity does not require a consortium, as it involves a single lot for the entire AUC system, which denotes that a single applicant is sufficient. Geographic eligibility is broad, allowing participation from international bidders, adhering to standard EU procurement rules.

The procurement is aimed at sectors pertaining to scientific research, biotechnology, and advanced materials. While no specific countries are explicitly mentioned in the tender documents, the equipment is scheduled for delivery and installation at the JRC Ispra site in Italy, and thus Italy is implicitly considered.

The project is at the stage of commercialization since the requested AUC is expected to be a commercially available product, and the procedures indicate a single-stage application process, typical of most procurement tenders.

The deadline for tender submissions is set for August 18, 2025, at 13:00 CEST, with public opening of the tenders occurring the following day. Submissions must be processed electronically via the EU's Funding & Tenders Portal, and interested bidders must possess a Personal Identification Code (PIC) for submission. The submissions must also adhere to strict technical requirements, including file size limitations and a maximum number of document attachments. The evaluation of tenders will judge bids on a quality-price ratio, with no co-funding necessary from bidders.

Overall, this procurement is geared toward acquiring a state-of-the-art AUC, ensuring that the JRC's scientific capabilities are enhanced through reliable and advanced instrumentation.

The European Commission, DG JRC Joint Research Centre, has announced a call for tenders, EC-JRC/IPR/2025/OP/2019, for the supply of an Analytical Ultracentrifuge (AUC). The TED reference for this call is 128/2025 442505-2025.

The procedure type is an open procedure, and submissions must be electronic. The call is currently open for submission.

The description of the procurement is the purchase of an analytical ultracentrifuge (AUC) with the ability to operate with both absorbance and interference optics. The instrument will be utilized for the analysis of the size, shape, density, and quantity of small molecular species or particulates in solution and suspension. The procurement also includes installation, training, and full support maintenance service.

The estimated total value of the contract is 520,000 EUR. The TED publication date is 08/07/2025. The main classification (CPV) code is 38000000, which covers laboratory, optical, and precision equipment (excluding glasses). The nature of the contract is for supplies, and the maximum contract duration is 54 months. The award method will be based on the best price-quality ratio. There is no framework agreement associated with this tender.

Key milestones include:
TED publication date: 08/07/2025
Date and time of public opening: 19/08/2025 11:00 Europe/Rome
Deadline for receipt of tenders: 18/08/2025 13:00 Europe/Rome
The contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after: 07/08/2025 05:00 Europe/Rome

The following documents are available for download:
EN1 Invitation to tender EC-JRCIPR2025OP2019 Analytical Ultracentrifuge Invitation letter, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available
EN2a Tender specifications part 1 - admin 2019 Tender specifications - adm. part, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available
EN2b Tender specifications part 1 - technical 2019 Technical specifications, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENfinancialOffer EC-JRC IPR 2025 OP 2019 Financial offer form, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENdeclaration-of-honour-tenders Analytical Ultracentrifuge EC-JRCIPR2025OP2019 Declaration on honour (tender), published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available
EN3 Draft contract OP 2019 Draft contract, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available
EN3a Draft Contract - Part III OP 2019 Draft contract annex, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available
EN4a Annex III - Acceptance Form Certificate of Conformity Template Draft contract annex, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available
EN4b Annex IV Procedure to introduce goods OP 2019 Draft contract annex, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available
EN4c Annex V Rules relating to access to JRC Ispra site OP 2019 Draft contract annex, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available

Submissions must be sent exclusively via electronic submission.

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In summary, this is a call for tenders by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre for the purchase of an analytical ultracentrifuge. The equipment must be capable of operating with both absorbance and interference optics and will be used to analyze the characteristics of small molecules and particulates in solution. The tender includes the supply, installation, training, and maintenance of the equipment. The estimated value is 520,000 EUR, and the deadline for submissions is August 18, 2025. The tender process is electronic, and interested parties must register for a PIC and adhere to specific technical requirements for their submissions. The award will be based on the best price-quality ratio.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the nature of the tender, it is likely open to companies, manufacturers, and suppliers of laboratory equipment, including SMEs and large enterprises, that can provide the specified analytical ultracentrifuge and related services.

Funding Type: Procurement. This is a call for tenders, indicating a procurement process where the contracting authority (European Commission, DG JRC) seeks to purchase goods (an analytical ultracentrifuge) and related services.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, it is common in procurement tenders for either single entities or consortia to be eligible, depending on the scale and complexity of the project.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated. However, given that it is a European Commission tender, it is likely open to entities within the EU and potentially the EEA, and possibly other countries depending on specific agreements.

Target Sector: This program targets the laboratory equipment sector, specifically focusing on analytical instrumentation. It falls under the broader category of scientific instruments and research equipment.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the JRC Ispra site is mentioned in "Annex V Rules relating to access to JRC Ispra site OP 2019", indicating that the equipment will be installed and used at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) site in Ispra, Italy. Therefore, Italy is implicitly mentioned.

Project Stage: The project stage is procurement of a finished product. The tender is for the purchase of an analytical ultracentrifuge, implying that the technology is already developed and commercially available.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the procurement is 520,000 EUR.

Application Type: Open call. The procedure type is explicitly stated as an "Open procedure".

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for supplying the analytical ultracentrifuge, installation, training, and maintenance services.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly stated, but typically in procurement procedures, there is a single stage involving submission of a tender, evaluation, and contract award.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not mentioned, and is generally not a requirement for procurement tenders.

Summary:

This is a call for tenders issued by the European Commission, DG JRC Joint Research Centre (EC-JRC), for the purchase of an analytical ultracentrifuge (AUC) with both absorbance and interference optics capabilities. The equipment will be used for analyzing the size, shape, density, and quantity of small molecular species or particulates in solution and suspension. The procurement includes the supply, installation, training, and full support maintenance service for the AUC. The procedure is an open procedure, meaning any interested supplier can submit a tender. The estimated total value of the contract is 520,000 EUR, and the maximum contract duration is 54 months. The TED publication date was 08/07/2025, and the deadline for receipt of tenders is 18/08/2025 at 13:00 Europe/Rome time. The public opening of the tenders will be on 19/08/2025 at 11:00 Europe/Rome time. The contracting authority will not reply to questions submitted after 07/08/2025 05:00 Europe/Rome. Submissions must be sent electronically. Tenderers must have a Personal Identification Code (PIC). The maximum number of documents that can be uploaded per tender is 200, and attachments should be less than 50 MB in size. The equipment is intended for use at the JRC Ispra site in Italy, as indicated by the "Annex V Rules relating to access to JRC Ispra site OP 2019".