CEFAS22-68 - Request for Quotation for Marine benthic macroinvertebrate sample processing

Concepts

• lowestoft
• analysis services
• marine benthic macroinvertebrate sample processing
• nmbaqc own samples protocol
• sediment samples
• primary processing
• nmbaqc processing requirement protocol
• sample species list
• milner and hall
• audit lab

Location

Description

This request for quotation is for the processing of 54 sediment samples, to extract and identify all biota retained following sieving on a 1.0 mm mesh, as per the NMBAQC guidelines (http://www.nmbaqcs.org/media/1175/nmbaqc-inv-prp-v10-june2010.pdf) detailing extraction and identification protocols. In addition to this there is a requirement to ensure these data are audited as per the NMBAQC Own Samples protocol prior to submission to Cefas (Milner and Hall, 2016). http://www.nmbaqcs.org/media/1665/ownsampleprotocol_v12_ra.pdf. Enumeration, identification and biomassing should be carried out following the NMBAQC Processing Requirement Protocol and Taxonomic Discrimination Protocol. Biomass to species level (wet weight in grams to at least 4 d.p.) is required for all countable taxa. Balances must be serviced annually, and a valid service certificate must be supplied with this tender. From experience, these samples can take up to 10 hours each to process and identified number of taxa per replicate has averaged 65 [A sample species list for the 2012 survey at this site is included in attached documents]. All fauna alive at the time of fixation must be extracted from the sediment, including those within shells and rocks. Summary of deliverables: - Analysis of 54 samples - Externally audited, quality-controlled abundance / biomass matrices, with current nomenclature (primary processing and audit lab) - A single reference collection of identified taxa (primary processing lab) - Internal Quality Control logs (primary processing lab) - Audited Quality Control report (audit lab) - Weekly project summary updates and correspondence between primary processing and audit lab (primary processing and audit lab)

CPV Codes

• 71620000 - Analysis services

Indicators

• Contract is suitable for SMEs.
• Contract is suitable for VCOs.

Other Information

Bravo E-tendering Portal - managing procurement on behalf of Cefas https://defra.bravosolution.co.uk Thank you for your interest in tendering for this requirement, You will need to access the documents through Bravo Solutions portal using the link provided. If you are new to Bravo, you are required to register as a supplier: 1) Visit https://defra.bravosolution.co.uk and click the link to register - Accept the terms and conditions and click 'continue' - Enter your correct business and user details - Note the username you chose (usually your email address) and click 'Save' when complete - You will shortly receive an email (check spam filters if this does not arrive in a timely manner) with your unique password (please keep this secure). You can then log onto the system and change your password. Once these step are completed you can apply for any tender on Bravo using these details. 2) To read the full details or apply for a tender: - Login to the portal with the username/password - Click the 'PQQs / ITTs Open To All Suppliers' link. (These are opportunities open to any registered supplier) - Click on the relevant PQQ/ ITT to access the content - Click the 'Express Interest' button at the top of the page. (This will move the PQQ /ITT into your 'My PQQs/ My ITTs' page) within your Bravo account. - Access the tender information by clicking 'Buyer Attachments' in the 'PQQ/ ITT Details' box 3. 3) Responding to the tender: - Click 'My Response' under 'PQQ/ ITT Details', you can choose to 'Create Response' or to 'Decline to Respond' (please give a reason if declining) - You can now use the 'Messages' function to communicate with the buyer and seek any clarification - Note the deadline for completion, then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the requirements to upload a successful Tender. There may be a mixture of online and offline actions for you to perform (there is detailed online help available) - Once all information is complete, you can then submit your reply using the 'Submit Response' button at the top of the page. Please give yourself enough time to complete this before the deadline. If you require any further assistance please consult the online help, or contact the e-Tendering help desk. Please direct all questions and queries to Cefas using the message function of the portal, including any clarification questions. This is to ensure no questions are missed and that all answers can be shared with all interested suppliers at the same time.