University of Galway Request for Tender for the Supply, Delivery, Installation and Commissioning of a High-Resolution Research grade X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Core Scanner

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1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start | :----------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------- | :-------------- | :------- | :------------- | :--- | :-------------- | :-------------- | :------------------ | :-------------- | University of Galway CON1788 Request for Tender for the Supply, Delivery, Installation and Commissioning of a High-Resolution Research grade X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Core Scanner for University of Galway 38434100-7 (X-ray fluorescence analysis equipment) €700,000 Not stated Not stated 1 Galway, Ireland Not stated 2026-07-23 13:00 Not stated

2. Scope of Work

The procurement covers the supply, delivery, installation, and commissioning of one High-Resolution Research grade X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Core Scanner for the University of Galway's School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies. The framework agreement will encompass all requirements for this core scanner system arising during its operational life.

The scope includes:

• Initial Contract:
• Supply of the XRF Core Scanner.
• On-site installation and commissioning.
• User training for technical and research staff.
• Warranty provision.
• Provision of technical support and servicing.
• Unforeseen Requirements: Any additional needs falling clearly within the defined scope of the framework.

The system must be capable of non-destructive analysis of drill cores and wet sediment cores, with elemental detection spanning Magnesium (Mg) to Uranium (U). It is intended for advanced research applications in geoscience, environmental science, and related disciplines.

Key Technical Requirements:

• System Type: High-Resolution Research grade X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Core Scanning system.
• Elemental Range: Magnesium (Mg) to Uranium (U).
• Sample Compatibility: Wet sediment cores in liners, split core halves, full/half U-channels, and optionally powders.
• Sample Size: Sediment cores up to at least 1.5 m in length and diameters between 20–140 mm.
• Scan Resolution: Step sizes down to approximately 0.1 mm.
• Detector: SDD with resolution ≤135 eV at 5.9 keV or equivalent, with integrated RGB imaging.
• Operation: Helium-free operation is preferred; helium-assisted systems are acceptable if details are provided.
• Software: Comprehensive control and analysis software, including spectral analysis and borehole data visualization. Must include instrument control, data acquisition, spectral processing, elemental analysis, and visualization of scan data and images.
• Installation: Must be installed and fully configured at the University of Galway by a qualified engineer.
• Commissioning: Includes Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) validation prior to shipment and Site Acceptance Test (SAT) upon installation.
• Warranty: Minimum 12-month warranty covering all components, including parts, labour, and remote technical support.
• Training: For up to four (4) personnel prior to final system handover, covering operation, maintenance, software use, calibration, and data handling.

Tenderers must specify if quoting for new or ex-demonstration systems. Ex-demo systems must be no more than three (3) years old and have all parts available for at least ten (10) years, with a full service/refurbishment history and warranty.

3. Background & buyer context

University of Galway, a significant employer in Galway with over 19,000 students and 2,700 staff, is procuring this XRF Core Scanner to enhance its research capabilities. The acquisition aligns with the University's strategic priorities in sustainability, climate action, and research excellence. The School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies, a multidisciplinary unit, focuses on interdisciplinary research in areas such as environmental change, cultural heritage, and societal challenges. The Discipline of Geography, within this school, has particular strengths in Quaternary science, geomorphology, peatland research, hydrology, climate change, and geospatial analysis. The new XRF core scanner will support research into sedimentary archives, including lake, marine, and peat cores, crucial for reconstructing past environmental and climatic conditions. The procurement is driven by the need for high-resolution, non-destructive analytical techniques to characterise elemental composition and stratigraphy, thereby enabling new research avenues and strengthening existing programmes.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Tenderers must meet the following minimum requirements to be eligible for evaluation:

• Turnover Requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employers Liability: €13 million (Ireland) or minimum local equivalent.
• Public Liability: €6.5 million.
• Motor Insurance (if applicable): Third-party cover with a property damage limit of €6.5 million per claim or series of claims arising from one event.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender, but compliance with relevant Health & Safety and Environmental legislation is mandatory.
• Past Experience: Tenderers must demonstrate necessary experience to successfully deliver, install, and commission the XRF core scanner. Specific details are not quantified but are a mandatory pass/fail criterion.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / Facility Constraints: Not specified for this tender.
• Quality Management: Tenderers must provide information on measures to ensure quality service delivery, for example, via an externally certified system (e.g., ISO 27001). This is a mandatory pass/fail criterion.
• Legal Compliance: Tenderers must demonstrate compliance with all relevant Health & Safety and Environmental legislation and guidelines. Tenderers must also demonstrate compliance with exclusion grounds set out in Clause 57 of S.I. No. 284/2016.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award will be made to the lowest cost tender that meets all minimum qualitative award criteria. The evaluation process is structured as follows:

Criterion Weighting Sub-criteria