Provision of a pressurised fluid extraction system (PFE)

Descriptions

Natural Resources Wales is the new organisation that will take on the functions of the Countryside Council for Wales, Forestry Commission Wales and the devolved functions of Environment Agency Wales.Natural Resources Wales (NRW) will, for the first time, bring the management of our natural resources and environment together; it will enable a more integrated approach to achieving Welsh Government’s objectives and will have sustainable development at the heart of its operations, delivering results for the people, environment and economy in Wales.NRW’s Llanelli Laboratory provides an analytical service for the regulator ensuring compliance against various EU environmental directives. There is a requirement at the Llanelli laboratory for a pressurised fluid extraction (PFE) system for the extraction of organic compounds typically organo-chlorine, organo-phosphate and organo-nitrogen pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers from various environmental matrices including sediments, biota (inc. fish, shellfish, seaweed etc.) and soils. The system must meet the following requirements:1.The system must allow the extraction of pre-treated sediment and biota samples resulting in a solvent based end product that contains the compounds of interest. Ideally this would be into various sized receptacles with a typical extraction volume of 50-60mls.2.The system must be capable of automated solvent extraction of up to 24 samples, preferably of varying cell size, within a 24 hour period.3.The system must be robust and reliable with a proven track record of environmental analysis in a high throughput laboratory, typically extracting over a thousand samples per annum of its capability to assist the lab user in the streamlining of the sample preparation process. Such solvent extraction allows for the removal of background interferences from sample matrix in the form of oils, lipids and other organic compounds.Prospective suppliers must provide evidence of equipment suitability for the extraction of environmental samples via published application notes and/or journal articles plus appropriate references from laboratory’s using the vendor’s equipment.Expressions of interest in supplying such equipment should include details of all consumables required, plus typical running costs based on a thousand samples per annum. Details of after sales service including maintenance and breakdown contracts must also be provided.Instructions to suppliers:-If you would like to be included in the tender stage of this process, please email – melanie.rodda@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk.Expressions of interest should be received by noon, Wednesday 5th November 2014.Your expression of interest should state your company name and address, contact details, including email address of lead contact and also a paragraph of what your company's core service is and how it fits with our requirements.