Supply, Delivery, Installation and Commissioning of an Environmental Chamber for DCU

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1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

Dublin City University (DCU) requires the supply, delivery, installation, and commissioning of a high-performance, controlled environmental chamber. This chamber will support human and athlete performance testing, physiological research, and environmental conditioning during exercise. The core functionality requires precise and simultaneous control of temperature, humidity, and simulated altitude. It must also monitor carbon dioxide concentration and respond appropriately to maintain user safety.

The contractor's responsibilities include:

• Supply and Delivery: Providing the specified environmental chamber and all associated components. Delivery is to Dublin City University, Polaris Building, DCU Glasnevin, D09 YH9P, Ireland, under DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) incoterms, including all shipping charges, insurance, and customs duties.
• Installation: Completing the installation of the environmental chamber and its anteroom within the Polaris Building. This includes working collaboratively with DCU and other appointed contractors, ascertaining existing site layout, M&E connection points, and ensuring the convenience of all affected persons. Installation must be complete by December 2026.
• Commissioning: Fully commissioning the environmental chamber and associated components to ensure it meets all specified technical requirements. This includes calibration and verification.
• Technical Specifications:
• Environmental Control: Precise and simultaneous control of temperature (+10 to +50°C), relative humidity (30-80% RH), and simulated altitude (0 to 3,500m). Optional higher altitude ranges are desirable.
• Airflow: Control of airflow rates to prevent windchill-like conditions.
• Stability & Uniformity: Ensuring a stable and uniform environment across all areas.
• CO2 Monitoring: Detection of carbon dioxide levels at multiple locations, with appropriate response mechanisms (alarms, automatic shutdown) when safety thresholds are exceeded.
• Safety Features: Easily accessible emergency stop buttons (internal and external) operational during power outages, audible and visible alarms for environmental conditions, and an automatic shut-down mechanism.
• Lighting: Emergency lighting within the chamber and anteroom operational during power outages.
• Materials: Use of fire-resistant materials, smoke detection sensors, and integration with building fire safety systems.
• Flooring: A level, non-slip floor with appropriate load-bearing capacity.
• Ventilation: Air filtration mechanisms compliant with Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Regulations.
• Control System: An intuitive, user-friendly interface located outside the chamber (in room FT112), with restricted access to settings (password protected, but overrideable for emergencies). High-frequency data logging of chamber conditions (temperature, humidity, altitude, O2, CO2) accessible and exportable in common formats (e.g., CSV).
• Doors & Windows: Doors accessible from Exercise Physiology Lab FT112, suitable for equipment movement, and operable during power failure. Windows of sufficient size for observation.
• Training: Providing one day of on-site training for five DCU staff on operation, programming, emergency procedures, and troubleshooting. A separate package on routine maintenance, calibration, fault diagnostics, and basic troubleshooting is also required.
• Documentation: Providing all manuals, quick-reference guides, digital resources, and as-built documentation in English.
• Warranty & Support: A minimum two-year warranty covering defects, call-outs, labour, travel, and parts. This includes remote diagnostics within 48 hours and on-site intervention if required. Options for extended warranty and preventative maintenance packages for years 3 and 4 are required.
• Sustainability: Details on recyclable/low-impact materials, waste minimisation during manufacture and installation, and energy consumption rates.

3. Background & buyer context

Dublin City University (DCU) is procuring this environmental chamber to support its research and athlete performance testing capabilities. DCU positions itself as a leading innovative European University, focused on addressing global challenges and known as Ireland's "University of Impact." It has over 20,000 students across three campuses and is a research-intensive institution with strong links to SFI-funded research centres and significant technology transfer activity. The university emphasizes equality, diversity, and inclusion, and is ranked highly for graduate employment and income. This procurement aligns with DCU's strategic plan to enhance its research infrastructure and deliver a transformative student experience.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Tenderers must meet the following minimum requirements on a pass/fail basis to be considered for evaluation:

• Turnover requirement: Confirmation that the tendering party's turnover exceeded €500,000 in one of the last three financial years. The firm must have been in existence for at least 6 months.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million (Indemnity to Principals clause required; sole traders without employees are exempt).
• Public Liability: €6.5 million (Indemnity to Principals clause required).
• Product Liability: €6.5 million.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Tenderers must also confirm compliance with all relevant Health & Safety and Environmental legislation and guidelines. Evidence of financial standing to pay debts as they fall due will be required prior to award.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award will be made to the lowest cost tender that also meets all the minimum requirements of the qualitative award criteria. The evaluation process is based on a pass/fail assessment of eligibility criteria followed by a price-based award.

Criterion