Background
In December 1994 the European Council and the European Parliament considered a proposal from the European Commission to strengthen the co-operation with the Russian Federation in the area of Nuclear Material Accountancy and Control (NMAC). The Commission Services after extensive contacts with Russian Authorities identified this as a priority area and established a comprehensive assistance programme.
One of the first TACIS projects to be programmed by the EC in this area was the project R5.02/96 (see contract 24943). The objectives of the project were to design, set up and assist in starting up the operation of three laboratories for:
1. Analysing samples of nuclear materials originating from Minatom for nuclear material accountancy purposes or originating from GAN for safeguards verification purposes (Analytical safeguards laboratory);
2. Analysing seized nuclear materials in order to reveal their origin (Laboratory for the identification of nuclear material of unknown origin).
3. Providing metrological support in the form of reference materials, consultancy and quality control (Nuclear metrological laboratory).
As part of the project, the Consultant had to identify the needs for instruments and other equipment for these laboratories and prepare the Technical Specifications for their procurement. The equipment was then procured by the EC under TACIS funding. The equipment identified by the Consultant of contract 24943 for the 3 laboratories were:
Part A: Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometer. One Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometer, complete with spares and consumables, for accurate measurement of U and Pu isotopic abundance in nuclear material samples.
Part B:
Lot 1: Alpha Spectrometry equipment. One alpha spectrometry instrument for determination of alpha emitting nuclides, complete with personal computer and associated software for instrument control and data processing, spare parts and calibration sources.

Lot 2: Analytical laboratory balances. Six high precision analytical balances (range 220g), 3 high precision analytical balances (range 65g), 3 laboratory balances (range 300g) and 3 laboratory balances (range 600g).

Lot 3: Coulometry equipment for actinide assay. One coulometry instrument for the precise and accurate assay of several actinides, complete with personal computer and associated software for instrument control, data acquisition and evaluation, spare parts and consumables.

Lot 4: Data processing equipment. Computer hardware and software for data processing and general office applications, comprising 3 network servers, 15 PC workstations complete with operating system, office software, database management software and OCR software, 2 A3 scanners, 6 printers and a range of data storage media.

Lot 5: Equipment for metallography. A set of equipment for metallographic and ceramographic investigations of uranium and plutonium containing materials, comprising 2 automatic precision cut-off machines, 2 grinding and polishing machines, 2 mounting presses, 2 compressors, 2 vacuum impregnation devices for mounting and impregnation of porous specimens, 2 devices for sample drying, 4 sample markers/engravers, 2 thermostatic baths, 2 universal microscopes, 1 microvideography system, 1 low pressure porosimeter and 1 high pressure porosimeter, along with recommended spare parts.

Lot 6: Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) for multielement analysis. One ICP-MS for the precise and accurate multielement determination for elements with a mass range of 6 to 260 AMU complete with computer and software for control of the instrument as well as data acquisition and evaluation, spare parts and consumables.

Lot 7: Uninterruptible power supply. Two uninterruptible power supply devices for ensuring the power supply of the thermal ionisation mass spectrometer during short failures of the mains supplies.

Lot 8: Titration equipment for uranium assay. One automated titration device for the precise and accurate assay of uranium complete with hardware and software for instrument control, data acquisition and evaluation, spare parts and consumables.
 
Objective
The equipment of Part A above was contracted by direct agreement.
The equipment of Part B was contracted through competitive tendering. The first call for tender was launched on 14 May 2002. Only Lots 1, 7 and 8 were contracted following this first call as no compliant offers were received for the other lots. The second call for tender for the remaining lots was launched on 7 December 2002 and led to the successful contracting of lots 2 to 6.
This contract was for Part B, Lot 6.
Results
The contract was signed 28 January 2004. The equipment was delivered, installed and tested and the Provisional Acceptance Certificate was signed on 21 June 2005. The Final Acceptance Certificate was signed on 10 June 2006.