UAA Small Tank

NPL is seeking a solution for design, development and integration of a new underwater acoustics open tank test facility. This notice is split into lots; stakeholder and supplier management and collaboration will be the responsibility by NPL. All lots will be integrated into a wider system, and the integration activities will be managed by NPL including collaboration between suppliers as required.

The facility will be comprised of an open water tank (Lot A), a water filtration system (Lot B) and a gantry-type positioning and control system (Lot C). Acoustic test panels and hydrophones will be deployed into the open water tank. The test panels and hydrophones are mounted on the control and positioning system to perform material characterisation and hydrophone calibration activities. These activities will take place by scanning test panels and translating the hydrophones in the water.

The schematic block diagram of the facility includes overall room dimensions. Please engage with this notice and NPL Procurement to receive the attachments.

The requirements specification provides all relevant details for the open water tank, water filtration system and positioning and control system. The high-level PBS indicates what NPL Engineering and suppliers will be responsible for; any requirements relevant to the operating room will be the responsibility of NPL Estates which will be managed by NPL internally but are given in this notice as they help to provide context to the wider system. Please engage with this notice and NPL Procurement to receive the attachments.

This is not an evaluation exercise and nothing in this activity will limit the opportunity to engage in any follow on Invitation To Tender.

The specifications in the Lots below is not an exhaustive list and further details will be provided in the tendering documents.

This requirement is structured into three distinct lots. Suppliers are invited to submit their interest on a single lot, any combination of lots, or all lots.

Scope:

LOT A - OPEN WATER TANK

NPL is seeking engagement from suppliers who have capability to provide a solution to the following requirements. High-level requirements include:

• The open water tank shall have minimum dimensions of 2m (w) x 2m (h) x 4m (l) and maximum dimensions of 3m (w) x 3m (h) x 5m (l). The open water tank shall have inner faces that are flat and free of flanges. The open water tank shall be constructed of a material such that it is subject to no galvanic activity and that it does not cause acoustic reflections.
• The open water tank shall include water monitoring instrumentation capable of measuring water temperature within ±0.1°C.
• There shall be a head tank from which the open water tank may be filled and topped up.
• The open water tank shall include an overflow prevention mechanism to avoid overfilling and flooding. It shall be possible to fill the open water tank from the head tank and shut off automatically when the required water level is reached. It shall be possible to top up the water level of the open water tank by drawing water from the head tank to make up for the water loss during normal operation. It shall be possible to fully drain the open water tank such that drained water can be directed to the wastewater mains.

LOT B - WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM

NPL is seeking engagement from suppliers who have capability to provide a solution to the following requirements. Parameters may be relaxed upon agreement. Some high-level requirements include:

• The system shall include a water filtration system that is able to filter the water from the head tank into the open water tank.
• The quality of the water after passing through the filters shall be safe for human handling. The filtration system shall use no chemical conditioning. The filtration system shall feature, as a minimum, a UV and physical canister filter.
• The water filtration system shall be able to circulate the full volume of water during out of hours operation (16-hour cycle).
• The water filtration system shall be able to maintain water temperature at the operating room ambient temperature (20±2°C) when circulating the water during out of hours operation. The water filtration system shall also be able to heat up water temperature to 20±2°C when filling the open water tank by drawing water from the head tank.

LOT C - POSITIONING AND CONTROL SYSTEM

NPL is seeking engagement from suppliers who have capability to provide a solution to the following requirements. Parameters may be relaxed upon agreement. Some high-level requirements include:

• The system shall include a 3-axis positioning and control system to support controlled placement, alignment and movement of test panels and hydrophones in and around the open water tank. The system shall be able to support simultaneous but independent operation of multiple axes. All three carriages shall be aligned along the length of the tank when in operational configuration
• The system must be able to translate in X, Y & Z, and rotate about Z (complete 360° rotation). The required accuracy and precision of the solution is as below:

o X, Y & Z precision: ±0.5mm o Z-rotation precision: ±0.1° o X, Y & Z repeatability: 0.5mm o Speed: 0.06m/min to 30m/min

• The minimum payload capability shall be 50kg in two of the three carriages, and the minimum payload capability of one of the three carriages shall be 300kg. Note: all three carriages may have a payload capability of 300kg. If only one carriage has a payload capability of 300kg this shall be the middle carriage. All carriages shall feature a common mechanical mounting interface
• The system shall minimise radiated and conducted electromagnetic noise. Electrical screening and noise suppression shall be applied to power cables and control lines. The system shall be suitable for operation in an RF‑sensitive measurement environment. Major components (motors, drives, controllers) shall be selected to minimise RF and electrical noise emissions.
• The system shall prevent unintended movement during power up, power down, communication loss and system failure. The system shall prevent motion beyond defined operational points with travel limits by either physical or electronic constraints. Motion shall be able to be interlocked with an access doorway or gateway such that automatic motion is inhibited when the operator is within the designated loading area. The system shall detect faults such as loss of feedback, actuator malfunction or communication errors, and automatically transition to a safe state. Safe states shall be defined as motion inhibited, brakes engaged and load supported
• The system shall include a standalone supplier‑provided control interface. The standalone control interface shall support manual jogging, commanded moves to predefined positions, and execution of multi‑axis movements. The system shall include provision for an integrated control interface which shall allow direct operation and automation from laboratory control software. The integrated control interface shall be compatible with NPL's existing laboratory control environment (e.g. LabVIEW‑based systems).
• The supplier must demonstrate that the system complies with, as a minimum but not limited to, Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) and Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU).

Total value (estimated)

LOT A - £30,000 excluding VAT

LOT B - £15,000 excluding VAT

LOT C - £200,000 excluding VAT

Lots

This procurement was divided into 3 lots, each awarded separately.