Public procurement notice: Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Published: 2021-11-19
Buyer: National Bureau of Investigation
Country: FI
Contract type: Supplies
Procedure: Negotiated without a prior call for competition
CPV classification: 38433000 | 38433210 | 38510000 | 38511000 | 38511100
Estimated value: 270964 EUR

Technical requirements: The Forensic Laboratory of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI, Finland) is acquiring new equipment for forensic electron microscopy with the primary focus on gunshot residue (GSR) analysis.
The system setup consists of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with backscattered electron detector (BSD) and an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) system. The system as a whole is controlled with a PC-based hardware and specialized software for GSR- and elemental analysis.
• The total weight of the microscope with the detectors (BSD, EDS), operating indoors in a standard laboratory setting, may not exceed 150 kg.
• The system can be adjusted into a mobile unit without the need to pack the system down or power down.
• The system includes software for automated GSR analysis. The software shall be fully compliant with ASTM E1588-17 standard and The European Network of Forensic Science Institutes’ (ENFSI) best practices for GSR analysis using a SEM/EDS-system.
• The system must be able to operate in ambient indoor conditions of under 80% relative humidity and at the temperature range of 20° C ± 4°C.
• The system does not rely on liquid nitrogen-cooling, water-cooling, external shielding requirements against EM radiation, or other specialized requirements.
• At least a 10x10cm stage scan area is required to allow for non-GSR samples, both multiple sample stubs and irregular shaped samples.
• At least 30 standard aluminum sample stubs of appr. 12.7 mm in diameter can be loaded in the vacuum chamber for a single analysis run.
• As a system performance requirement, at least 190 forensic GSR-samples/month can be analyzed using the system with the following conditions:
o The samples are adhesive carbon tape surfaces on standard aluminum stubs of appr. 12.7 mm in diameter
o The automated GSR analysis program is utilized in overnight runs (including over-the-weekend runs) and optionally daily analysis runs, with balanced settings for speed and ability to detect particles relevant to GSR
In addition to the system, the purchase includes the following services: delivery and installation, user training, maintenance service and customer service.
For technical reasons, only a specific supplier can provide the SEM/EDS system. There are no reasonable alternatives or substitute solutions and the lack of competition is not due to the requirements of the procurement.
The National Police Board of Finland published a prior information notice of this upcoming procurement to examine the existence of potential tenderers. The replies to the prior information notice showed that only Gammadata Finland Oy meets the requirements set out in section II.1.4) "Short Description" of this notice. According to National Police Board of Finland no other supplier can offer the equivalent SEM/EDS system.


Winner: Gammadata Finland Oy
Award value: 270964