Published date: 29 April 2022
Awarded contract - This means that the contract has been awarded to a supplier.
Contract summary
Industry
Air quality management - 90731100
Location of contract
Any region
Value of contract
£149,083 to £150,000
Procurement reference
tender_294215/1067361
Published date
29 April 2022
Closing date
30 March 2022
Closing time
11:59pm
Contract start date
31 March 2022
Contract end date
11 August 2023
Contract type
Service contract
Procedure type
Single tender action (below threshold)
A direct contract with a single supplier, without competition.
This procedure can be used for procurements below the relevant contract value threshold.
Contract is suitable for SMEs?
Yes
Contract is suitable for VCSEs?
No
Description
This PAS is intended to allow the use of low-cost sensors for AQ monitoring irrespective of type, for measuring ambient pollutants. The approach taken is based upon an understanding of the user's needs, including ensuring data quality is demonstrated for the intended applications. In the case of establishing uncertainty, this PAS may be used to derive methods to establish this in various ways dependent on application, but generally requires access to reference monitors and involves numerical analysis.
The basic definition of a low-cost sensor is taken to be a cost and time effective alternative to the reference methods, irrespective of the analytical method, that responds to the target pollutant. The strengths and weaknesses of these devices need to be understood in order to determine if they meet the user's requirements. Although data quality from these devices may not be as high as from reference devices, it is important to note that certain applications of low-cost sensors (e.g., in networks) may be able to provide information that was hitherto difficult to obtain using reference methods.
This is a new requirement. Currently there is no standardisation or accreditation around this technology. As there is currently no standardised document in use for low-cost monitors in the UK, every manufacturer is using their own method of calibration and equipment methodology which is resulting in data inconsistencies.
Due to new technologies entering the market around low-cost sensors, and with the development of this technology and methodology around its use, there are a lot of research and development projects coming to fruition around this area, which is driving this work to develop standardisation.
As technology has advanced and new methods have been developed this will be the first standardised document for low-cost sensors in the UK. Once developed this will be a Publicly Available Specification (PAS). Eventually sensors could be used in the national monitoring network. This PAS will improve the skills of the end users of low-cost monitors, its guidance is intended to raise awareness, promote a better use of the low-cost sensors, and promote a better understanding of pollution sources and ways to mitigate impact on the environment. This PAS will also provide a guide for manufacturers of low-cost sensors to follow and assist in the development of their products to meet the requirements of the PAS. This will improve buyer confidence of these products and fuel the UK economy.
More information
Award information
Awarded date
31 March 2022
Contract start date
31 March 2022
Contract end date
11 August 2023
Total value of contract
£149,083
This contract was awarded to 1 supplier.
BSI Standards Limited
Address
389 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 4AL, United Kingdom
Reference
No reference - other
Supplier is SME?
No
Supplier is VCSE?
No
About the buyer
Contact name
Sarah-Ann
Address
17 Nobel House
London
SW1P 3JR
England
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Closing: 30 March 2022, 11:59pm
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