Request for tender for a Benchtop XYZ programmable low volume liquid dispensing platform suitable for Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) development and biosensor fabrication, including accessories

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start | :------------------------ | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :------------- | :-------------- | :------- | :------------- | :--- | :------- | :-------------- | :------------------ | :-------------- | Atlantic Technological University Request for tender for a Benchtop XYZ programmable low volume liquid dispensing platform suitable for Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) development and biosensor fabrication, including accessories Not specified Not disclosed Not specified Open 1 Ireland 1 year 2026-09-08 16:00 Not specified

2. Scope of Work

This tender seeks a high-precision, automated XYZ motion fluid dispensing benchtop system. The system must accommodate both contact and non-contact dispensing methods on a single platform. It will be used for research, development, and low-to-moderate batch production of lateral flow assays and other biosensor applications. The contract duration is one year, with the possibility of extension.

The scope includes:

• Dispensing Platform:
• Fully programmable, automated X, Y, and Z axes.
• Integration of three distinct fluid delivery methods:
• Contact dispensing for continuous lines.
• Non-contact jetting for discrete droplets or continuous lines.
• Non-contact aerosol/spray for quantitative coating and reagent deposition.
• Integrated vacuum/magnetic nest for substrate fixturing.
• Compact benchtop size for laboratory environments.
• Continuous, uninterrupted dispensing area for standard diagnostic membranes with backing cards.
• Multiple (>4) independently programmed dispensing channels with simultaneous dispensing capability.
• Flexibility for continuous line striping and discrete micro-drop/spot arraying on the same substrate batch.
• Full operator control over line length, line width, and sub-microlitre to nanolitre volumetric dosing resolution.
• Internal memory for storing, categorizing, and recalling user-defined programs and calibration routines.
• Capability to transition between R&D and batch production to high-volume dispensing.
• User-friendly interface.
• Ancillary Equipment:
• A guillotine cutter.
• A laminator.
• These must be provided by the same supplier as the dispensing system.
• Services:
• Installation of the dispensing system, guillotine cutter, and laminator.
• Training for users.
• Aftersales service and technical assistance.
• Warranty:
• A minimum of 12 months warranty for the dispensing system, guillotine cutter, and laminator.
• All products must be new and not ex-display.

The maximum envisaged spend under this contract is €94,000 excluding VAT, though no expenditure is guaranteed.

3. Background & buyer context

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is the contracting authority for this procurement. Established in April 2022 through the merger of GMIT, LYIT, and IT Sligo, with the integration of St Angela’s College in 2023, ATU is one of Ireland's largest multi-campus universities. It serves over 30,000 students across more than 600 programmes and employs 2,250 staff across an extensive geographical region. ATU is dedicated to regional development and international collaboration. This project is funded by Research Ireland. The university promotes participation by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in its procurements.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Tenderers must meet the following criteria on a pass/fail basis to be considered for evaluation.

• Turnover requirement: Confirmation that the tendering party's average annual turnover exceeded €179,000 in each of the last three financial years, or pro-rata for more recently established firms. The firm must have been in existence for at least 6 months.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Product Liability: €6.5 million
• Certifications: Tenderers must provide information demonstrating a commitment to quality assurance, including details of quality assurance policies and systems, and whether these are externally certified. Compliance with relevant Safety, Health & Welfare at Work legislation must also be demonstrated.
• Past experience: Tenderers must demonstrate successful delivery and installation of two comparable items of equipment within the previous three years.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Tenderers may rely on the resources of other entities to meet these requirements, provided they can prove these resources will be at their disposal. If a consortium or joint venture is successful, they will be required to establish legal personality to enter the contract.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The contract will be awarded based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT), considering price and quality. Tenders must meet minimum selection criteria to be evaluated.

A minimum score of 60% is required for criteria A-D. Failure to meet the minimum threshold on any criterion will result in elimination. The cost score is calculated based on the lowest cost tender receiving maximum points.

6. Submission requirements

Tenderers must use the provided Tender Response Document (TRD) and must not amend its content.

• Method statement / response document: Use the mandatory Tender Response Document (TRD).
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Use the mandatory template within the TRD.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations:
• European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) or equivalent self-declaration.
• Declaration of Bona Fides.
• Declaration regarding compliance with relevant statutory obligations.
• Confirmation of tax compliance.
• Confirmation of financial standing.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders postbox facility on www.etenders.gov.ie only. Submissions should be uploaded as a ZIP file.

7. Key dates & process

The tender validity period is 6 months from the submission deadline.

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: The contract is for one year, with the Contracting Authority reserving the right to extend it based on satisfactory performance, budget, and business needs.
• Payment terms: Not specified in detail, but invoices are subject to a 14-day query period.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in detail, but performance reports will be provided as agreed.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to terminate at 14 days' notice.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting rules: Tenderers must declare any sub-contractors.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Indicative Spend vs. Contract Value: The maximum envisaged spend is €94,000 excluding VAT for a one-year contract. This is a relatively low value, suggesting the contract may be for ad-hoc supply rather than guaranteed volume.
• Warranty Requirement: A minimum 12-month warranty is required for the dispensing system, cutter, and laminator. This is a standard but important detail for equipment procurement.
• Single Supplier for Ancillaries: The guillotine cutter and laminator must be provided by the same supplier as the dispensing system, potentially limiting the pool of eligible suppliers.
• Tender Response Document (TRD) Strictness: Tenderers are prohibited from amending any text or content of the provided forms or templates. Failure to use the templates, particularly for pricing, may lead to disqualification.
• No Guaranteed Expenditure: The document explicitly states there is no guaranteed expenditure under the contract, meaning ATU may not spend the full envisaged amount.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is open to SMEs, and they are encouraged to form relationships with other SMEs or larger enterprises to meet capacity requirements. A credible bidder would be a specialist supplier of laboratory automation equipment, specifically fluid dispensing platforms, with experience in lateral flow assay development or biosensor fabrication.

• Who can credibly bid: A small to medium-sized enterprise with a proven track record in supplying high-precision laboratory automation equipment, particularly dispensing systems. They must be able to supply the specified ancillary equipment (guillotine cutter, laminator) and provide installation, training, and aftersales support.
• Consortium or sub-contracting: Allowed. SMEs are encouraged to form relationships with other entities.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Moderate. Significant effort will be required to complete the mandatory Tender Response Document (TRD) accurately, detail technical specifications, and prepare the pricing schedule. Demonstrating past experience and quality/safety systems will also require time.
• Pwin signal: Not strongly indicated. The tender is open and uses standard procurement procedures. The low indicative value and lack of guaranteed spend suggest it is not a large, high-value incumbent contract. The requirement for a single supplier for all equipment components might favour established distributors or manufacturers.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Request for tender for benchtop low volume liquid dispensing platform and ancillary equipment.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: CFT 8808753
• Contact email or clarification portal: All queries must be submitted through the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Most important attachments:
• Request for tender for benchtop low volume liquid dispensing platform and ancillary equipment.pdf
• Tender Response Document (TRD) (separate document)
• Contracting Authority’s Terms and Conditions (appended at relevant Appendix)