The Supply and Install of a Laser Induced Breakdown Spectrometer (LIBS)

Suppliers can find the complete tender document(s), at no cost, on: https://uwo.bonfirehub.ca. Procuring Entity: University of Western Ontario (Western) Procurement Services 1151 Richmond Street London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 3K7 Contact: Erica Watson ewatso25@uwo.ca Procurement Method: Open tender whereby all interested Suppliers may submit a Proposal. Description: The RFP is an invitation to submit offers for the provision of The Supply and Install of a Laser Induced Breakdown Spectrometer (LIBS), as further described herein. Surface Science Western (SSW) is a heavily utilized academic research facility and industrial service laboratory supporting advanced materials characterization across a broad user base. The proposed Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) system will serve as a bridging technique between optical microscopy and SEM-EDS, enabling rapid, spatially resolved elemental analysis, down to a trace detection limit, of small features directly within an optical microscope (in air). This capability addresses a critical gap between visual inspection and electron based microanalysis by providing fast elemental information without the extensive sample preparation, vacuum requirements, and scheduling constraints associated with SEM-EDS workflows. The LIBS system will support interdisciplinary research in materials science, geology, energy, nuclear materials, and advanced manufacturing. LIBS enables near real time elemental analysis at user selected locations, allowing researchers to quickly screen materials, guide further analysis, and reduce reliance on SEM-EDS for routine compositional questions. This significantly improves throughput while preserving SEM-EDS capacity for applications requiring high resolution imaging or sub micron quantitative analysis. A primary driver for this acquisition is the growing demand for hydrogen related materials research, including hydrogen embrittlement, hydrogen uptake, corrosion, and degradation processes in metals and alloys. LIBS allows direct detection of all elements (excluding noble gases), especially elements with low atomic number including hydrogen and lithium, without conductive coatings or vacuum conditions. The ability to perform rapid point analyses, micro drilling, and depth profiling makes the technique particularly well suited for assessing hydrogen distribution and near surface compositional gradients in steels, welds, additively manufactured components, and energy relevant materials. The instrument will also play a central role in critical minerals and precious metals research, including lithium-bearing ore characterization and gold deportment studies, respectively. LIBS allows rapid identification of mineral phases and elemental associations within heterogeneous geological samples and can provide lithium analyses, which cannot be done using conventional SEM-EDS instrumentation available at SSW. In addition, the LIBS system will be used extensively for failure analysis, metallurgical investigations, and general compositional screening of alloys, coatings, corrosion products, powders, and industrial components. Chemical mapping capabilities enable correlation of microstructural features with local chemistry, while minimal sample preparation and fast analysis times enhance efficiency for both academic and industrial users. As a supplementary and supporting analytical technique, the LIBS system will be used across a wide range of sample types including pre-screening analyses for degraded materials and hydrogen locations (metal hydrides and crack tips), geological and mineralogical materials (ores, minerals, and powders), polymers, coatings, alloys, thin film oxides, corrosion products, ceramics, glasses, and electronic devices. The LIBS instrument will complement existing microscopy and surface analysis techniques at SSW and provide a practical, time efficient alternative to SEM-EDS for many materials characterization challenges, enabling rapid elemental analysis with minimal sample preparation while guiding more detailed electron based analyses when required. Budget: The estimated budget for this project is CAD $155,200 plus HST. Estimated Quantities: Available within the tender document Submission Details: All tender submissions must be uploaded electronically at https://uwo.bonfirehub.ca. Submission Deadline: May 7, 2026 at 12:00PM (noon) ET Public Opening: Not Applicable Conditions for Participation: Available within the tender document(s). Mandatory Submission Requirements: Appendix B- Submission Form Appendix C- Rate Bid Form Appendix D- Reference Form Appendix E- Deliverables and Technical Requirements Questionnaire Appendix F and Sustainability Supporting Documentation Complete submission requirements are provided within the tender document(s). Scored Submission Requirements: Mandatory Requirements Experience, Qualifications and References Technical and Functional Requirements Service and Support Value- Added Ideas Sustainability Accessibility (AODA) Pricing Presentation (short-listed Suppliers only) This procurement is covered by Chapter 5 of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). Delivery Date: Fall 2026 Duration of Agreement: Upon receipt of equipment and satisfaction of obligations as set out in the Agreement. Additional Options: Available in the tender document(s) Negotiation: At the end of the evaluation process, Western may identify one or more Suppliers with whom it wishes to enter into negotiations, by written notification. See tender document(s) for further detail. Prequalification: Not Applicable Responses must be submitted in English. Suppliers should note that information contained within this Tender Notice is subject to change. Suppliers are encouraged to download the tender document(s) which contain the most current information. If there is a conflict between the tender document(s) and this Tender Notice, the tender document(s) will take precedence. Bidding and Documents are available on http://www.merx.com. Fees may apply; See https://www.merx.com/public/pricing for more information.