Tender for Tanks and Pressure Vessels at Saarland University of Technology and Economics

Project Name: Procurement of ten 1,000-liter stainless steel containers and two thermostats for the ALGAE-Boost project
Project Background: This project is part of an EU cross-border cooperation program aimed at establishing a scalable production system for year-round, independent-site algae cultivation using artificial lighting.
Tender Procedure ID: aa0e2d0a-19ae-46fa-94a6-032fa68b96bb
Internal Identifier: 10-001-2026
Procurement Method: Open tender
Legal Basis: EU Directive 2014/24/EU and relevant German procurement regulations.
Funding Source: The project is fully or partially funded by EU funds.

Procurement Content (divided into two independent lots):

Lot LOT-0001:

Content: Supply of ten square stainless steel containers, each with a net capacity of 1,000 liters, for medium storage, temperature control, and process handling in algae cultivation.

Main CPV Classification: 44610000 - Tanks, reservoirs, containers and pressure vessels.

Excluding VAT Budget: €88,235.00 (Maximum budget €105,000 including 19% VAT).

Lot LOT-0002:

Content: Supply of two industrial thermostats (temperature control units) for precise regulation of process and medium temperatures.

Main CPV Classification: 42510000 - Heat-exchange units, air-conditioning and refrigerating equipment, and filtering machinery.

Excluding VAT Budget: €50,420.00 (Maximum budget €60,000 including 19% VAT).

Overall Budget: The total value of both lots excluding VAT is approximately €138,655.

Bidder Qualification and Selection Criteria:

General Requirements: Must be registered in a commercial/industrial register; provide proof of turnover for the last 3 financial years; provide proof of at least 3 comparable services/supplies performed in the last 3 years; provide a statement of the average number of employees over the last 3 years.

Special Requirements: Must hold standard professional/operational liability insurance (or equivalent insurance from an EU member state); ISO 9001 quality management system certification is recommended.

Exclusion Clauses: Must declare the absence of any exclusion grounds listed in the tender documents (e.g., involvement in criminal organizations, tax evasion, corruption, violation of environmental/labor laws, etc.), and specifically declare no connections with Russia.

Bidding Restrictions: A bidder may bid for a maximum of 2 lots and can be awarded contracts for a maximum of 2 lots.

Evaluation and Award Criteria:

Sole Criterion: Price, with a weighting of 100%.

Scoring Method: Formula-based; the lowest valid total price (including tax) receives 1000 points (full score), other bids are scored proportionally relative to the lowest price.

Key Information on the Bidding Process:

Language: All communication, documents, and bids must be in German.

Platform: Must be submitted electronically via the German tender portal; bidders are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the platform.

Key Dates:

Deadline for Questions: February 26, 2026, 23:59:59.

Bid Submission Deadline: March 5, 2026, 10:00:00.

Public Bid Opening: March 5, 2026, 10:30:00.

Contract Performance: The supplier must commit to complying with the Saarland State Law on Wage Standards and Fair Wages.

Key Points for Business Decision-Making:

Clear Application Field: Equipment is for R&D and pilot platforms in biotechnology/algae cultivation, requiring high standards for container cleanliness, corrosion resistance, temperature control accuracy, as well as thermostat stability and precision.

Moderate but Strict Qualification Threshold: No preference for company size (explicitly not suitable for SMEs), but requires proof of financial stability, relevant industry performance, and quality management systems. The declaration of no connection with Russia is a mandatory political compliance requirement.

Pure Price Competition: Meeting the tender's technical requirements is a prerequisite; the final award depends on the most competitive total offer including tax. Cost control and precise pricing are key.

Fully Electronic and German-Language Process: Must use the specified German platform, and all documents must be in German or certified German translations, posing an operational hurdle for non-German speaking suppliers.

Project Nature: This is a procurement for an EU-funded research project, with secured funding but subject to strict public procurement and EU fund usage rules.