This specification is for 4 off, two column servo-hydraulic test machines of 100 kN capacity, capable of operating in tension and compression. They are to be installed on substations already connected to an existing hydraulic ring-main in the NSIRC laboratories near Cambridge, UK. 2 of these machines require a secondary load cell of 50 kN.

The National Structural Integrity Research Centre (NSIRC) is a new industrially led, joint initiative between TWI, lead academic partner Brunel University, alongside the University of Manchester, the University of Cambridge and a number of leading industrial partners.

The initiative is funded by industry and by grants from the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) and Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). Funding for equipment for NSIRC is being provided by HEFCE and is available in the period up to 31.3.2015 to assist in establishing a new facility at the TWI site in Abington, Cambridge and to purchase equipment to be used in the centre. All equipment must be accepted on the Abington site by the end of February 2015 at the latest.

The equipment will be purchased by Brunel University but the procurement process is being undertaken by TWI on Brunel University's behalf.

All correspondence regarding this tender procedure should be made through the TWI Ltd In-Tend system via the correspondence functionality.