MSC Phase 1 - Regional Labs

This project concerns the enhancement and upgrade of Microbiological Safety Cabinets (MSC) across the estate. A microbiological safety cabinet is an item of basic laboratory equipment required to assure a safe working environment and they are necessary in the delivery of large areas of laboratory work involving handling of infectious materials and/or preventing contamination of biological samples. The cabinets are used to provide both a sterile working environment and to provide protection to the operators when working with a variety of mammalian and avian micro-organisms. Research within many areas requires access to Microbiological safety cabinets on a routine basis in order to comply with Health and Safety requirements. Defra Weybridge and identified Regional Labs are undergoing an upgrade of existing Microbiological Safety Cabinets (MSC) across their sites. There are currently 368 MSC's in total, and a refurbishment programme will be carried out over a number of years. Phase One is identified as 17No. MSCs and 1 fume hood across Weybridge and the identified Regional Labs. Each unit has its own ventilation discharge system which needs upgrading, either by new standalone and dedicated extract ventilation systems per MSC, or in some cases direct local connection to existing building central air handling plant. Procurement is for Contractors/Suppliers to provide a design and build service, to produce CAD drawings of new ventilation and installations, from the internal MSC location to external discharge, or local connection in 18 locations across 5 sites. NB: This project in scope includes for the upgrade and replacement of the associated ventilation extract system connected to each MSC. This may be via immediate direct ducted and local connection to existing central air handling plant, or new independent ventilation systems with integral extract fans.