Biaxial Micro-tensile Machine for Installation in a Scanning Electron Microscope
Solicitation number UWORFPSR-1912
Publication date
Closing date and time 2026/05/19 12:00 EDT
Description
Suppliers can find the complete tender document(s), at no cost, on: https://uwo.bonfirehub.ca.
Procuring Entity:
University of Western Ontario (Western)
Procurement Services
1151 Richmond Street
London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 3K7
Contact:
Scott Roth sroth6@uwo.ca
Procurement Method:
Open tender whereby all interested Suppliers may submit a Proposal.
Description:
The RFP is an invitation to submit offers for the Supply of a Biaxial Micro-tensile Machine for Installation in a Scanning Electron Microscope, as further described herein.
Summary:
The multiscale deformation group at Western University is equipped with an Apreo-2S Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscope (FEG-SEM) which has a Bruker Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) detector. The requested biaxial testing rig will be used inside this SEM to enable in situ testing of metals and alloys. This system will generate force–displacement and stress–strain data, with the potential for future upgrades to allow testing at varying temperatures. The rig will also enable direct observation of the evolution of localized strain and stress fields, as well as microcrack nucleation, within the SEM.
The requested rig will be used to observe:
• how metal and alloys deform under tensile (thermo)mechanical loads
• how cracks initiate and propagate in advanced alloys
Hence, it is expected that the requested rig fits into the Apreo-2S FEG-SEM, be capable of applying (thermo)mechanical loads while imaging inside the SEM.
Background:
Our research focuses on the measurement and characterization of localized stress fields and their correlation to manufacturing processes or to specific loading conditions that occur in service. We work on advanced metal alloys used in the nuclear, aerospace, and transportation industries, e.g., nickel, zirconium, and magnesium alloys. We use in-situ high-resolution imaging and diffraction techniques, along with crystal plasticity modeling, to simulate the formation of stress hot spots in polycrystals. In-situ experiments include applying thermomechanical loads to materials while probing with an electron beam to observe the formation of stress hot spots, cracks, and voids.
Please download the tender package for further information.
Budget:
The estimated budget for this project is CAD$235,000 plus HST.
Estimated Quantities:
Available within the tender document
Submission Details:
All tender submissions must be uploaded electronically at https://uwo.bonfirehub.ca.
Submission Deadline:
May 19, 2026 at 12:00PM (noon) ET
Public Opening:
Not Applicable
Conditions for Participation:
Available within the tender document(s).
Mandatory Submission Requirements:
Complete submission requirements are provided within the tender document(s).
Scored Submission Requirements:
This procurement is covered by Chapter 5 of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA).
Delivery Date:
Summer 2026
Duration of Agreement:
Upon receipt of equipment and satisfaction of obligations as set out in the Agreement.
Additional Options:
Available in the tender document(s)
Negotiation:
At the end of the evaluation process, Western may identify one or more Suppliers with whom it wishes to enter into negotiations, by written notification. See tender document(s) for further detail.
Prequalification:
Not Applicable
Responses must be submitted in English.
Suppliers should note that information contained within this Tender Notice is subject to change. Suppliers are encouraged to download the tender document(s) which contain the most current information.
If there is a conflict between the tender document(s) and this Tender Notice, the tender document(s) will take precedence.
Procuring Entity:
University of Western Ontario (Western)
Procurement Services
1151 Richmond Street
London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 3K7
Contact:
Scott Roth sroth6@uwo.ca
Procurement Method:
Open tender whereby all interested Suppliers may submit a Proposal.
Description:
The RFP is an invitation to submit offers for the Supply of a Biaxial Micro-tensile Machine for Installation in a Scanning Electron Microscope, as further described herein.
Summary:
The multiscale deformation group at Western University is equipped with an Apreo-2S Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscope (FEG-SEM) which has a Bruker Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) detector. The requested biaxial testing rig will be used inside this SEM to enable in situ testing of metals and alloys. This system will generate force–displacement and stress–strain data, with the potential for future upgrades to allow testing at varying temperatures. The rig will also enable direct observation of the evolution of localized strain and stress fields, as well as microcrack nucleation, within the SEM.
The requested rig will be used to observe:
• how metal and alloys deform under tensile (thermo)mechanical loads
• how cracks initiate and propagate in advanced alloys
Hence, it is expected that the requested rig fits into the Apreo-2S FEG-SEM, be capable of applying (thermo)mechanical loads while imaging inside the SEM.
Background:
Our research focuses on the measurement and characterization of localized stress fields and their correlation to manufacturing processes or to specific loading conditions that occur in service. We work on advanced metal alloys used in the nuclear, aerospace, and transportation industries, e.g., nickel, zirconium, and magnesium alloys. We use in-situ high-resolution imaging and diffraction techniques, along with crystal plasticity modeling, to simulate the formation of stress hot spots in polycrystals. In-situ experiments include applying thermomechanical loads to materials while probing with an electron beam to observe the formation of stress hot spots, cracks, and voids.
Please download the tender package for further information.
Budget:
The estimated budget for this project is CAD$235,000 plus HST.
Estimated Quantities:
Available within the tender document
Submission Details:
All tender submissions must be uploaded electronically at https://uwo.bonfirehub.ca.
Submission Deadline:
May 19, 2026 at 12:00PM (noon) ET
Public Opening:
Not Applicable
Conditions for Participation:
Available within the tender document(s).
Mandatory Submission Requirements:
- Appendix B- Submission Form
- Appendix C- Rate Bid Form
- Appendix D- Reference Form
- Appendix E- Deliverables and Technical Requirements Questionnaire
- Appendix F- Sustainability Supporting Documentation
Complete submission requirements are provided within the tender document(s).
Scored Submission Requirements:
- Mandatory Requirements
- Experience, Qualifications and References
- Deliverables and Technical Requirements
- Service and Support
- Value- Added Ideas
- Sustainability
- Accessibility (AODA)
- Pricing
This procurement is covered by Chapter 5 of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA).
Delivery Date:
Summer 2026
Duration of Agreement:
Upon receipt of equipment and satisfaction of obligations as set out in the Agreement.
Additional Options:
Available in the tender document(s)
Negotiation:
At the end of the evaluation process, Western may identify one or more Suppliers with whom it wishes to enter into negotiations, by written notification. See tender document(s) for further detail.
Prequalification:
Not Applicable
Responses must be submitted in English.
Suppliers should note that information contained within this Tender Notice is subject to change. Suppliers are encouraged to download the tender document(s) which contain the most current information.
If there is a conflict between the tender document(s) and this Tender Notice, the tender document(s) will take precedence.
Bidding and Documents are available on http://www.merx.com. Fees may apply; See https://www.merx.com/public/pricing for more information.
Contract duration
The estimated contract period will be 0 month(s), with a proposed start date of 2026/07/31.
Trade agreements
-
Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)
-
Please refer to tender description or tender documents
Contact information
Contracting organization
- Organization
-
University of Western Ontario
- Address
-
Procurement Services, Suite 6100, Support Services Building, University of Western OntarioLondon, Ontario, N6A 3K7Canada
- Contracting authority
- Scott Roth
- Phone
- 519-661-2111 x82779
- Email
- sroth6@uwo.ca
Bidding details
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