Servicing and Calibration Services for Advanced Manufacturing and Research Equipment

Description

In accordance with Regulation 41 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, the University is issuing this notice to undertake Preliminary Market Consultation prior to commencing any live procurement process. The University of Strathclyde (UoS) seeks notes of interest from suppliers capable of delivering comprehensive maintenance and calibration services that supports the safe, compliant, and reliable operation of specialist research, engineering, laboratory, manufacturing, and facilities equipment. For the purposes of this scope, the University intends to explore options for a unified service provision covering: -Planned preventative maintenance and servicing -Calibration and inspection This requirement will apply across multiple operational lots and will encompass a diverse range of specialist assets, including research instrumentation, manufacturing and automation systems, thermal processing equipment, metrology tools, and associated infrastructure. The University is undertaking this Preliminary Market Consultation to inform future sourcing options and to understand supplier capability, service models, and technical approaches for supporting a complex and varied equipment estate. The future solution is expected to provide robust service delivery, modern reporting and compliance assurance, and effective integration with the University’s internal processes and systems. Lot 6: Facilities, EHS & Site Support Systems This lot will include: Servicing of site-wide infrastructure, environmental control, safety systems, utilities, and general support equipment required to maintain safe, compliant, and operational research, laboratory, workshop, and manufacturing environments. Scope: Covers non-process-specific systems and support infrastructure that enable safe operation, environmental compliance, personnel protection, and facility functionality across the site. Includes building services, environmental management systems, extraction and ventilation systems not directly integrated into manufacturing processes, storage and handling infrastructure, utility distribution equipment, and general site support assets. Applies to equipment primarily supporting facilities operation, health & safety, environmental control, occupational hygiene, storage, or general workplace functionality rather than direct production or manufacturing activity. Includes categories: Safety / Environmental Systems LEV & General Ventilation Systems Fume Cupboards & Air Handling (non-process specific) Gas Detection & Monitoring Systems Storage & Environmental Control Utilities / Infrastructure (non-process systems) Compressed Air & Site Utility Systems Electrical Infrastructure & General Power Distribution Facility Support Equipment General / Uncategorized Welfare, Laboratory & Non-Production Support Equipment Additional information: Please note that the proposed lot structure remains under review and may be subject to revision as the procurement approach is finalised. Lot 5: Metrology, Testing & Instrumentation This lot will include: Servicing, calibration and verification of measurement, inspection, analytical, monitoring, and material testing systems used for research, manufacturing validation, quality assurance, and process verification. Scope: Covers all equipment used to measure, inspect, validate, monitor, characterise, record, or analyse materials, components, products, processes, or environmental conditions. Includes dimensional metrology systems, analytical laboratory instrumentation, calibration equipment and artefacts, sensors, data acquisition hardware, and mechanical/electrical testing systems. Applies to standalone measurement and testing assets used for quality control, R&D, inspection, certification, condition monitoring, laboratory analysis, and standards verification, including associated software, probes, detectors, fixtures, and instrumentation interfaces. Includes categories: Metrology / Inspection / Calibration Coordinate Measuring & Optical Measurement Systems Surface & Dimensional Measurement Equipment Calibration Standards & Artefacts Materials Testing & Analysis Mechanical, Fatigue & Hardness Testing Systems Thermal Analysis & Characterisation Equipment Analytical & Laboratory Instrumentation Sensors / Instrumentation / DAQ Electrical & Electronic Test Equipment Environmental & Process Monitoring Instrumentation Data Acquisition, Logging & Signal Conditioning Systems NDT & Condition Monitoring Systems Additional information: Please note that the proposed lot structure remains under review and may be subject to revision as the procurement approach is finalised. Lot 4: Joining, Robotics & Automation This lot will include: Servicing and calibration of automated production systems, robotic platforms, motion control systems, and joining technologies used in manufacturing, fabrication, research, and automated process development. Scope: Covers integrated manufacturing and automation systems involving robotic movement, machine control, automated positioning, process integration, and permanent joining technologies. Includes industrial robots, collaborative robots, automated welding systems, robotic cells, motion control equipment, and associated control, sensing, and safety systems directly linked to automated manufacturing operations. Applies to equipment where automation, programmable control, coordinated motion, or joining processes form a core operational function within manufacturing, assembly, fabrication, or research environments. Includes categories: Welding / Joining MIG, TIG, Resistance & Advanced Welding Systems Automated & Robotic Welding Cells Robotics & Automation Industrial Robots & Collaborative Robots (Cobots) Robotic Positioners, Turntables & Motion Systems Robot Controllers & Automation Hardware Automated Manufacturing & Process Cells Machine Vision & Robotic Inspection Systems Process Monitoring & Automation Interfaces Integrated Control & Safety Systems (process-linked) Automated Material Handling Associated with Production Cells Additional information: Please note that the proposed lot structure remains under review and may be subject to revision as the procurement approach is finalised. Lot 3: Precision Manufacturing Systems This lot will include: Servicing and calibration of precision manufacturing equipment used for subtractive, additive, hybrid, and finishing operations associated with high-value component manufacture and prototype development. Scope: Covers equipment used for precision part manufacture, material removal, additive layer deposition, hybrid manufacturing, component finishing, and associated post-processing operations. Includes CNC machining systems, EDM equipment, laser processing systems, additive manufacturing platforms, machine-integrated automation, and specialist finishing or cleaning equipment directly supporting manufacturing processes. Applies to equipment where dimensional accuracy, repeatability, surface integrity, or controlled manufacturing processes are critical to component production, research, prototyping, or low-volume manufacture. Includes categories: Machining (Subtractive Manufacturing) CNC Milling, Turning & Multi-Axis Systems EDM, Laser Cutting & Precision Material Processing Additive Manufacturing (AM) Metal & Polymer AM Systems Hybrid Manufacturing Systems AM Powder Handling & Depowdering Equipment Composite & Advanced Material Processing Equipment Cleaning / Post-Processing Surface Finishing, Polishing & Blasting Systems Precision Cutting, Grinding & Sawing Equipment Machine Tooling, Rotary Tables & Workholding Systems Machine-Integrated Cooling & Process Support Systems" Additional information: Please note that the proposed lot structure remains under review and may be subject to revision as the procurement approach is finalised. Lot 2: Heavy Manufacturing & Forming Systems This lot will include, however, will not be limited to: Servicing, inspection, and calibration of heavy manufacturing equipment, deformation processing machinery, and associated material handling and lifting systems used in large-scale industrial manufacturing operations. Scope: Covers large-scale mechanical and hydraulic systems involving high-force processing, deformation, forming, forging, pressing, rolling, or controlled movement of heavy materials and components. Includes associated lifting, transfer, and handling equipment directly supporting manufacturing operations. Applies to equipment used for bulk material processing, high-load mechanical operations, structural forming, and movement of large or heavy workpieces within manufacturing, fabrication, or industrial processing environments. Includes categories: Forging / Forming / Deformation Processing Forging Presses & Radial Forging Machines Flow Forming, Rolling & Heavy Press Systems Hydraulic & Mechanical Forming Equipment Composite & Structural Forming Presses Heavy Industrial Ovens & Process Equipment Associated with Forming Operations Material Handling / Lifting Overhead Cranes & Hoisting Systems Forklifts, Pallet Handling & Transfer Systems Scissor Lifts & Heavy Positioning Equipment Production-Linked Lifting & Manipulation Systems Heavy Duty Hydraulic Support Systems and Ancillary Equipment Additional information: Please note that the proposed lot structure remains under review and may be subject to revision as the procurement approach is finalised Lot 1: Thermal & Process Equipment This lot will include: Servicing and calibration of thermally driven manufacturing equipment, temperature-controlled processing systems, and associated process-critical thermal infrastructure used in research, manufacturing, and industrial processing environments. Scope: Covers all equipment where heat generation, thermal transfer, controlled atmosphere, temperature stability, or thermal cycling are fundamental to process operation or product performance. Includes furnaces, ovens, autoclaves, thermal reactors, heat treatment systems, and process-linked cooling or thermal regulation equipment directly supporting manufacturing or laboratory operations. Applies to systems used for thermal processing, curing, sintering, drying, melting, coating, deposition, environmental conditioning, and other temperature-dependent industrial or research activities, including associated process monitoring and thermal control hardware. Includes categories: Thin Film / Surface Engineering Thermal Processing / Heat Treatment Furnaces, Ovens & Controlled Atmosphere Systems Vacuum & High-Temperature Processing Equipment Autoclaves, Reactors & Thermal Curing Systems Thermal Analysis & Process Heating Equipment Cooling / Thermal Control Systems (process-linked only) Chillers, Heat Exchangers & Process Cooling Equipment Temperature Control & Thermal Regulation Systems Utilities / Infrastructure (temperature/process control elements only) Process Gas, Vacuum & Thermal Support Systems Thermal Monitoring & Process Control Hardware Additional information: Please note that the proposed lot structure remains under review and may be subject to revision as the procurement approach is finalised.