Proposal for the award of a contract for the supply and installation of a compound cryogenic helium distribution line for the LHC

This document concerns the award of a contract for the supply and installation of a compound cryogenic helium distribution line (referred to as QRL) for the LHC. Following a market survey carried out among 83 firms in fifteen Member States and a call for tenders (IT-2399/LHC/LHC) sent out to one firm and six consortia in six Member States, the Finance Committee agreed (CERN/FC/4087) to the negotiation of three contracts, each for the design, manufacture, factory testing, delivery, on-site assembly, commissioning, testing, dismantling and analysis of one pre-series test cell of the QRL. Following the evaluation of the pre-series test cells, the three successful pre-series contractors were, on 1 June 2001, invited to re-tender for the supply and installation of the complete QRL. By the closing date, CERN had received three tenders from one firm and two consortia in three Member States. The Finance Committee is invited to agree to the negotiation of a contract with AIR LIQUIDE (FR), the lowest bidder, for the supply and installation of a compound cryogenic helium distribution line for a total amount of 84 682 064 euros (127 878 347 Swiss francs), subject to revision. The rate of exchange that has been used is that stipulated in the tender. The firm has indicated the following distribution by country of the contract value covered by this adjudication proposal: FR - 44%; DE - 19%; ES - 15%; GB - 13%; IT - 4%; PT - 3%; BE - 2%.