Market survey, Sample preparation robot and maintenance for the device

Finnish Customs invites interested suppliers to take part in a market survey regarding the procurement of sample preparation robot and maintenance contract for the device. This planned procurement is for the purchase of sample preparation robot that automates currently manually made liquid-liquid-extraction (L-L-extraction) process used for illicit import samples in the Finnish Customs laboratory. The L-L extraction is used as a sample preparation for qualitative GC (gas chromatography) and LC (liquid chromatography) analysis. The robot to be acquired must perform in a way that the automatic sample preparation can be implemented to the routine work of the laboratory. The robot is required to operate independently (eg. overnight) after human operator has provided samples and necessary consumables (glassware, solvents, filters etc.). The robot should do the extraction process reliably, and should not introduce larger uncertainty to the final results compared to manual L-L extraction. Minimum functional requirements (draft): • Transferring and pipetting accurate volumes of aqueous and organic solvents without dripping. • Minimum pipetting volume of 50 µl and maximum pipetting volume of 1500 µl. Ability to do repeated pipetting to achieve larger volumes eg. 5 ml. • Ability to pipette only the organic top layer of L-L extraction. Either by setting a certain pipetting height or detection of the aqueous-organic boundary. • Independent overnight operation. No operator interaction required during sequence run, given that enough solvents and other consumables are provided and waste solvent containers are not filled up. • Adjusting the pipetting height in software in case glassware changes. • Ensuring safe handling of organic solvents that cause fumes/vapors. For example setting up the robot in a fume hood, connecting to an air exhaust duct, using septa or capping samples to minimize vapors etc. • Preventing significant evaporation of sample and organic solvents during sample preparation and waiting periods. This can be achieved eg. by capping the glassware or piercing a septum for liquid transfer. • Maximum dimensions of the robot: approx. 3 m × 2 m × 2 m (width, depth, height) • All required software for daily operation of the robot and method development

This notification is a market survey. The procuring entity surveys the market and potential suppliers. No tenders are requested with this market survey. Responding or not responding to this market survey does not prevent participation in a possible future tendering procedure. Answering or not answering this market survey notice does not prevent participation in a possible tender. Suppliers are not bound by this market survey. Suppliers do not receive compensation for participating in this market survey. The information provided in this notification is preliminary and may change as the preparation progresses. The procuring entity requests material about the latest sample preparation robots that are best suited for the device described in this notification. Send the requested materials by 17 July 2024 to the following address: kilpailutukset@tulli.fi and alina.torvinen@tulli.fi. Note! Due to automatic time limit setting, this market survey notification will be visible after 17 July 2024. Suppliers are still requested to announce their interest and send the requested materials by 17 July 2024. The following heading should be used in the message: Market survey, Sample preparation robot. In July 2024, draft materials for the competitive tendering will be sent for comments (so-called technical dialogue), to those who sent materials. The descriptions presented in this notification are indicative and only preliminary information. They do not bind the procuring entity. The procuring entity asks to receive answers to the following additional questions (you can answer in Finnish or English): • Have you delivered similar devices (L-L extraction or sample preparation of GC and LC analysis) in the past? Can references be provided upon request? • What is your estimated delivery time for the device? • What kind of maintenance do you provide for the device? • What maintenance response times can you provide to Uusimaa region (Finland) • What is the estimated price for a sample preparation robot that matches the description? The procuring entity reserves the right to not proceed with technical dialogue with a supplier, if from the answers or a lack thereof it is determined by the procuring entity, that the product or services described do not suit the needs of the entity.