250287 Contract for the Supply, Fabrication, Delivery (unloaded and positioned at the point of use), Installation and Commissioning, Warranty of an Electrically Insulated Raceway Tank and a Three-Holding Tank System

Queen’s University of Belfast wishes to procure an Electrically Insulated Raceway Tank and Holding Tank System to be situated outside at the Queen's Marine Laboratory in Portaferry, and must fit on a concrete platform. The raceway tank must not be much larger than 9 x 2.5m, and holding tanks must be circular with 2m diameter. This system is to support experimental work on measuring the effects of electrical fields on elasmobranchs (e.g. sharks, skates, rays).

The overarching goal of this procurement is the successful design, construction, and operational commissioning of a bespoke, electrically insulated marine animal housing system at the Queen’s University Marine Laboratory (QML). This system must meet stringent biological and electromagnetic shielding specifications to enable the core ELASMO project experimental protocols.

The successful delivery of this requirement will result in four key outcomes:

• Secure Housing: The provision of a stable, high-welfare environment for the long-term maintenance of OSPAR-listed elasmobranch species.

• Research Readiness: A fully operational raceway and holding tank system compliant with the requisite electrical insulation standards for sensitive electrophysiology experiments.

• Project Compliance: Fulfilment of a critical infrastructure deliverable required to unlock and progress the objectives of the DAERA-funded ELASMO project.

• System to be delivered and Commissioned Before 01 April 2026