Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
University Of Edinburgh
Charles Stewart House, 9-16 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1HT
UK
Telephone: +44 1316502759
E-mail: rachael.bull@ed.ac.uk
NUTS: UKM75
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.ed.ac.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00107
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Education
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Non-Torque Loading System for Electrical Machine Testing Including Drive System
Reference number: EC1097
II.1.2) Main CPV code
31161000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
II.1.4) Short description
The University of Edinburgh seeks to acquire a Non-Torque Loading System with a minimum power rating of 20 kW and preferably up to 50 kW or above. The system should be capable of applying non-torque loads to the shaft/rotor of the motor/generator under test of at least 50 kN in at least 2-axes, but preferably 3-axes. It should also have a speed range of at least 20-100 rpm, but preferably up to 10-1000 rpm. Preference is for electrically actuated non-torque loading.
Our researchers design, develop and test small electrical machines (at full scale), as well as downscaled prototypes of electrical machines for large offshore renewable energy applications.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
31161000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM75
Main site or place of performance:
University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The University of Edinburgh seeks to acquire a Non-Torque Loading System with a minimum power rating of 20 kW and preferably up to 50 kW or above. The system should be capable of applying non-torque loads to the shaft/rotor of the motor/generator under test of at least 50 kN in at least 2-axes, but preferably 3-axes. It should also have a speed range of at least 20-100 rpm, but preferably up to 10-1000 rpm. Preference is for electrically actuated non-torque loading.
Bidders will be expected to work with the team at the university to design a mounting solution for the stator of the motor/generator under test.
Our researchers design, develop and test small electrical machines (at full scale), as well as downscaled prototypes of electrical machines for large offshore renewable energy applications. To date, we have used an in-house drivetrain test rig, rated at 20kW and with variable speed capability up to 100rpm. This effectively means that we can control torque or rotational speed and the effective electrical load on the electrical machine under test.
In our current and future work, we are interested in applying the non-torque loads that might be present in full scale environments to the electrical machines under test. In particular, we would like to understand how air-gaps of the electrical machine under test will vary when subjected to those non-torque loads, and hence impact on electrical performance and mechanical integrity.
Ideally, this system would allow a complete electrical machine to be tested, without separation of and independent mounting of the rotor and stator of the electrical machine under test.
Suppliers are invited to tender for the supply, installation, and technical services/support of this equipment.
Minimum Technical Requirements:
Dimensions: The system will be enclosed in a 5x2m enclosure. Max Height: 2m. A generic system diagram is included below. The system must be capable of testing machines in a range of 0.5m diameter and 0.5 m axial length to 1.0 m diameter and 0.75 m axial length.
Power Level and RPM Range: Minimum power level: Minimum power of 20 kW
Minimum RPM range: 20-100 rpm. Ability to apply in the region of 50 kN of force in at least the X and Y axes applied to the Rotor, with a moment about the vertical & horizontal of 25 kNm
Four-quadrant Drive: The system must include a four-quadrant drive machine & four-quadrant drive for the motor/generator under test. The drive for the motor/generator under test should be bypassable to allow custom drive units to be connected.
Minimum torque requirement: (@ 100 rpm): 2000 Nm
Measurement Equipment: Must include a means of measuring non-torque loads (fx, fy, and fz) for the non-torque loading, and a torque meter on the test machine.
Testing Modes: The system must be capable of testing machines in both motoring and generating modes.
Platform Mounting: It must be possible to mount the platform to a structural concrete floor that has a top layer of 175 mm total thickness. The top layer consists of 100 mm of rigid extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation and 75 mm of cement screed.
Emergency Stop: The system must include provision for an external emergency stop interlock to be connected.
Typical electrical machine under-test: 1m outer diameter and 0.4m in axial length
Auxiliary Systems: The system must include all necessary auxiliary systems such that it is ready for operation when powered.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 90
Price
/ Weighting:
10
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Potential for renewal to incorporate long-term servicing options.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
Potential for renewal to incorporate long-term servicing options.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2026/S 000-063130
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
28/09/2026
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
28/09/2026
Local time: 12:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 32616. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
Suppliers are encouraged to provide information on community benefits that can be provided to Edinburgh and the South East Scotland region as part of this project.
Should the Bidder offer community benefits on a voluntary basis, they will be required to discuss the content of their community benefit proposal and agree on a plan for the delivery of the agreed community benefits which will become a condition of the contract.
Please provide details of community benefits that you will provide to UoE, such as:
- Social Benefits (e.g. jobs, work experience - e.g. S4 – S6 pupils from Edinburgh Schools, training, apprenticeships and mentoring, building skills in underprivileged areas, promoting employment opportunities for local residents)
- Economic Benefits (e.g. use of SMEs, promotion of opportunities to Social Enterprises and Voluntary Sector, community consultation, young person engagement, and community sponsorship)
- Environmental Benefits (e.g. public art projects, community improvement projects, resources for community environmental initiatives and physical infrastructure)
Further examples that can be considered can be found at; https://www.esescommunities.org/
(SC Ref:841310)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sherrif Court
Edinburgh
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
27/08/2026