BU482026- renewal and upgrade of seawater aquarium infrastructure

Preliminary Market Engagement: Seawater Aquarium Systems for Marine Research Laboratories

Bangor University's Marine Centre Wales (MCW) is undertaking preliminary market engagement in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 to inform the development of a future procurement for the renewal and upgrade of seawater aquarium infrastructure within three experimental laboratories used for marine and fisheries research. This type of engagement is expressly permitted to help contracting authorities and suppliers prepare for a future procurement, provided competition is not distorted.

The purpose of this engagement is to better understand available solutions, supplier capabilities, indicative budgetary costs, delivery considerations and key technical requirements before developing the procurement strategy and tender documentation.

The anticipated requirement is for specialist seawater aquarium systems and associated components within the laboratory end-user rooms, potentially including modular tank racks, life-support equipment, pipework, pumps, filtration systems and environmental monitoring and control systems. The systems will need to integrate with existing facility infrastructure.

Information sought from suppliers

The University welcomes high-level information and advice in the following areas:

1. Indicative budgetary costs

Indicative budgetary costs for comparable systems and installations, including typical cost ranges and principal cost drivers such as installation, controls, life-support equipment, commissioning, training and maintenance. Detailed quotations, fixed pricing and binding offers are not required.

1. Examples of comparable installations

Examples of similar systems used in marine research, aquaculture or related environments, including their configuration, capabilities, operational benefits and any lessons learned from implementation.

1. Key design and installation considerations

Important factors to consider when specifying and installing systems within existing experimental laboratories, including integration with seawater supply, filtration, temperature control, monitoring systems, maintenance arrangements and future expansion requirements.

1. Technical advice and potential solutions

High-level recommendations regarding system design, modularity, resilience, environmental control, reliability, energy efficiency, lifecycle considerations and other factors that may assist the University in developing its requirements.

Supplier engagement

This engagement is intended to be a preliminary information-gathering exercise. Suppliers are not being asked to undertake design work, provide detailed specifications or prepare formal proposals.

The University will hold a site visit on Monday 16th November 10.30am-12.30pm at Marine Centre Wales to provide context regarding the existing facilities and enable suppliers to raise preliminary questions. Please email o.cahill@bangor.ac.uk to register for the site visit. Any information arising from the engagement that may be relevant to a future procurement will be appropriately shared through the procurement process to ensure transparency and equal treatment.

Information received may be used to inform the University's specification, procurement strategy, contract structure and estimated budget for the future procurement.

The University currently anticipates commencing a procurement process during December 2026, although this timetable is indicative only and may change.

Important information

This exercise constitutes preliminary market engagement only and does not form part of any procurement procedure or call for competition. The University reserves the right not to commence any subsequent procurement.

Participation in this engagement is entirely voluntary and will not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any future procurement process. Any future contract opportunity will be advertised separately and procured in accordance with applicable procurement legislation.