CEFAS26-74 Laboratory Container Facilities for Blue Belt Programme

The Blue Belt Programme is the UK Government’s flagship marine conservation programme, partnering with a number of the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs). Together, we work to improve protection and sustainable use practices within the waters of the UKOTs to safeguard marine biodiversity and the practices of local communities.

Fisheries Science in the UKOTs

Fishing is an important activity in a number of the UKOTs, ranging from commercial fishing operations through to recreational fishing for subsistence and leisure.

Fisheries science, the collection and analysis of information pertaining to fish species and their fishery(ies), is fundamental to effective and responsive management of these activities and their impacts. Many countries have a nationally coordinated system of data collection from fisheries, but in small communities with limited local capacity, this is generally impractical. In such contexts, fostering collaboration with fishers is essential to ensure fair and participatory management.

This requirement for UKOTs, Montserrat and Ascension Island, is for the provision of containerised laboratory facilities that will be used to support the collection of essential samples and data from local fishers.

Aims and Objectives

To facilitate the collection of samples and data for fisheries science, the Governments of Ascension Island and Montserrat require laboratory facilities that be located at the main fish landing sites. The desired contents and layout of each of these facilities are detailed in the specifications below.

The Supplier will procure, construct, and deliver these two containerised laboratories to Ascension Island and Montserrat.

Scope of Requirements

Cefas require two containerised laboratory facilities according to the general and specific criteria outlined below, including procurement, manufacture, and delivery. General Requirements in 4.1. apply equally for both laboratories. The desired layout and any specific requirements for each UKOT are provided in 4.2 and 4.3.

Installation of facilities is not required in either case as this will be handled by the respective UKOT Governments. If installation guidance is considered useful or where the installation method may be considered as potentially voiding any warranties, the Supplier may optionally provide this together with specific details and any impact on contract value in their submission as per APPENDIX 5.

General Requirements

The basic structure of each laboratory should be based upon conversion of an ISO standard 20-foot (6.06 metres external length) new shipping container1 converted into laboratory and plant room space(s).

Since these containers will require sea freight to their final destinations, they must be supplied with in-date Container Safety Certificates (CSC), adhering to the International Maritime Organisation International Convention for Safe Containers2 with recessed doors, windows, etc. The CSC should have sufficient time (at least 6 months past the expected delivery) remaining to allow for unexpected delays that may occur during transit.

Each container requires external fixtures and connections for both electrical and plumbing service, as specified below in Sections 4.2 and 4.3.

Flooring should be of laboratory standard, anti-static, anti-slip, and resistant to staining or spills of chemicals. Flooring should have a lip of at least 100mm on all sides (excluding the doorway) fit for easy cleaning.

Each container must include the components as detailed below to be procured, installed and tested by the Supplier. Representative examples of fitted equipment are given below as footnotes for clarity (such examples should not be considered requests for, or endorsements of, the specific product linked). The Supplier is free to suggest comparable products that they consider more suitable based on the grounds of cost, availability, compatibility, and functionality.

All electrical and mechanical components should be supplied new and with a warranty applicable to the working environment and lasting for a period of at least 12 months commencing upon the date of final delivery. Systems that are straightforward to be maintained by non-specialist engineers and do not rely upon or require legacy subscription costs are preferred where possible.

One single width exterior door with both a physical key lock and electronic lock/unlock functionality3.

Access to the laboratory will ideally be facilitated through the use of a low-frequency passive radio frequency identification (RFiD)-type system or similar. This system needs to be able to work independently and will not require any legacy costs through a subscription service or continual connectivity to a third-party organisation.

Access records (Card ID(s) and time-date(s) of entry) will be viewable via (password protected) download from the device.

Along with each container, the Supplier will issue 100 pre-programmed and individually numbered access cards that can be issued to registered users of the facility.

The hardware and/or software required to programme new (or re-programme existing) cards should be included and no legacy costs required.

At least three windows and/or skylights. Each should be able to be opened, and at least one window must be of a sufficient size and accessibility to serve as a secondary fire exit, in accordance with Fire Safety Regulations of the UK4. All should be fitted with physical locks.

Temperature control systems capable of maintaining a stable internal temperature in tropical climates and to deal with heat load generated from ice machine and freezers. The Supplier will provide details of potential means, which may include, but is not limited, to the following:

Interior insulation

Passive ventilation systems.

Window unit air conditioner

Overhead lighting, non-corrosive LED light fittings with motion sensor.

Supply and fitment of appropriate distribution board. Electrical supply requirements are specified below.

Eight or more electrical sockets, distributed according to the layouts below and of at least UK Ingress Protection rating IP44 or equivalent5.

Stainless steel laboratory work benches with integrated sink and mixer tap.

The bench with the integrated sink should be recessed and graded to allow the draining of blood and viscera into the sink.

Central floor drain.

Lockable drawer units under work benches to store laboratory consumables and equipment.

Wall-mounted shelving above the work benches and/or chest freezers.

One commercial grade ice machine, suitable for seafood and capable of operating in high ambient temperatures. The Supplier will detail production capacity at an ambient temperature of 30°C and in high humidity. The requirements for the ice machine for each UKOT are detailed below in Sections 4.2 and 4.3.

Two chest freezers, each with a capacity of at least 400 Litres and capable of freezing contents to at least -20°C6.

Flammable chemicals locker (key access only)7 positioned under work bench.

Wall-mounted fFire detection (i.e. ceiling-mounted smoke alarm) safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, appropriate to contents (e.g. electrical and chemical fires).

First aid station suitable for minor injuries (cuts, burns, eye wash etc).

Wall-mounted whiteboard and dry wipe marker pens.

The Supplier will state the estimated water and power consumption of the unit during normal operations of the equipment

At least two spare keys for all physical locks should be supplied.

The Supplier will provide a spare parts list for all electrical or mechanical components included in their Technical response and in Appendix 6 – Pricing Schedule. Cefas may require provision of some or all of these parts, to be agreed in writing either prior to Contract award or during the build phase prior to shipping, which will be agreed via a formal Contract Variation.

The indicative layout of each laboratory is specified below in Sections 4.2 and 4.3.

While the key requirements are included in this Specification, the Supplier will propose the solution they believe best meets the needs, based on their expertise. Final design will be agreed following Contract award, in collaboration with Cefas and the Overseas Territories, but it will be broadly in line with the technical proposal and with the proposed costs, in the awarded bid submission.