University of Limerick has awarded €130K robotics equipment contracts to Vicon Motion Systems Ltd and THURN Group Ltd

University of Limerick, a body governed by public law operating in the education sector, has awarded contracts for the supply and delivery of a Mobile Robot Motion Capture System (Lot 1) and a Compact Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) for Hydrographic Survey (Lot 2) to Vicon Motion Systems Ltd and THURN Group Ltd. The awarded value of the contracts in this notice is €130,000.00, covering miscellaneous evaluation or testing instruments and industrial process control equipment and remote-control equipment, with a duration of 60 months. The contracts were awarded following an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Introduction

University of Limerick, a body governed by public law operating in the education sector, has conducted an open procedure for the supply and delivery of a Mobile Robot Motion Capture System (Lot 1) and a Compact Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) for Hydrographic Survey (Lot 2). The Mobile Robot Motion Capture System is for the localisation and tracking of mobile robotic platforms within an indoor laboratory environment, providing high-accuracy, low-latency, real-time 3D positional and orientation data for multiple aerial, ground and surface robotic vehicles operating simultaneously within a defined capture volume. The system will support research, teaching and industrial collaboration in autonomous systems, multi-agent robotics, navigation and human–robot interaction. The Compact ASV for Hydrographic Survey is for inshore hydrographic and bathymetric survey applications, enabling autonomous and remote-controlled survey operations in shallow inshore waters, rivers and lakes, supporting multibeam sonar bathymetric mapping, water-quality profiling, and environmental data collection. The system will support research and teaching at UL CRIS and provide a versatile, compact, easily transportable survey platform for use across coastal, estuarine and inland waterbody applications.

The procurement is not financed with EU funds but is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA). No strategic procurement objectives were specified. The evaluation criterion is price (100%) for Lot 1, and price (100%) for Lot 2. One tender was received for each lot. The winners are Vicon Motion Systems Ltd (Lot 1) and THURN Group Ltd (Lot 2). No subcontracting was declared. The contracts were concluded on 28 August 2026. The estimated value and awarded value in this notice is €130,000.00. The contract duration is 60 months.

Why This Contract Matters

This procurement ensures that the University of Limerick has access to advanced robotics research equipment for its research, teaching and industrial collaboration activities.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports Robotics Research: Provides a Mobile Robot Motion Capture System and a Compact Autonomous Surface Vehicle
• Significant Value: €130,000.00 estimated and awarded value in this notice
• Long-Term Commitment: 60-month duration
• Two Lots: Motion capture system and hydrographic survey ASV
• Price Focus: 100% price-based evaluation
• Research and Teaching: Supports research and teaching at UL CRIS
• No Subcontracting: No subcontracting declared

Contract Timeline

• Contract concluded: 28 August 2026
• Estimated duration: 60 months
• Notice published: 22 September 2026 (OJ S 183/2026)
• Notice dispatch date: 18 September 2026
• Previous notice: e820b4ca-86a2-4a55-944f-62187202cfa1-01

Contract Overview

University of Limerick conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Key features include:

• Two lots: LOT-0001 and LOT-0002
• Estimated value: €130,000.00
• Awarded value in this notice: €130,000.00
• Duration: 60 months
• Framework type: No framework agreement
• Evaluation: Price (100%) for both lots
• Winners: Vicon Motion Systems Ltd (Lot 1); THURN Group Ltd (Lot 2)
• Subcontracting: No
• No EU funding
• Covered by GPA: Yes
• Strategic procurement: No strategic procurement

Key Contract Details

• Main classification: 38900000 Miscellaneous evaluation or testing instruments
• Additional classification: 38800000 Industrial process control equipment and remote-control equipment
• Place of performance: Mid-West, Ireland (NUTS: IE051)
• Procedure identifier: 5defdb88-0672-4212-8de4-60b5b4b8f3cd
• Internal identifier: 1; 2
• Type of procedure: Open
• Accelerated procedure: No
• Legal basis: Directive 2014/24/EU
• Review body: The High Court of Ireland

Lot Structure

LOT-0001 – Supply and Delivery of a Mobile Robot Motion Capture System

• Internal identifier: 1
• Description: Mobile Robot Motion Capture System for the localisation and tracking of mobile robotic platforms within an indoor laboratory environment, providing high-accuracy, low-latency, real-time 3D positional and orientation data
• Estimated value: €130,000.00
• Winner: Vicon Motion Systems Ltd (€70,000.00; Contract 459225)
• Tenders received: 1
• Contract concluded: 28 August 2026
• Duration: 60 months
• Evaluation: Price (100%)

LOT-0002 – Supply and Delivery of a Compact Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) for Hydrographic Survey

• Internal identifier: 2
• Description: Compact Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) for inshore hydrographic and bathymetric survey applications, enabling autonomous and remote-controlled survey operations in shallow inshore waters, rivers and lakes, supporting multibeam sonar bathymetric mapping, water-quality profiling, and environmental data collection
• Estimated value: €130,000.00
• Winner: THURN Group Ltd (€56,863.00; Contract 459226)
• Tenders received: 1
• Contract concluded: 28 August 2026
• Duration: 60 months
• Evaluation: Price (100%)

Lot Summary Table

Lot	Title	Value (€)	Winner	Tenders
1	Mobile Robot Motion Capture System	70,000.00	Vicon Motion Systems Ltd	1
2	Compact Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) for Hydrographic Survey	56,863.00	THURN Group Ltd	1
Total		130,000.00

Scope of Supply

The contracts cover the following supplies:

• Mobile Robot Motion Capture System: Instrument for localisation and tracking of mobile robotic platforms within an indoor laboratory environment, providing high-accuracy, low-latency, real-time 3D positional and orientation data
• Compact Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV): Instrument for inshore hydrographic and bathymetric survey applications, supporting multibeam sonar bathymetric mapping, water-quality profiling, and environmental data collection
• Miscellaneous Evaluation or Testing Instruments: Instruments under CPV 38900000
• Industrial Process Control and Remote-Control Equipment: Equipment under CPV 38800000

Special Procurement Conditions

• No Framework Agreement: No framework agreement
• Price Criterion (Lot 1): Price (100%) – Cost@100%
• Price Criterion (Lot 2): Price (100%)
• No Subcontracting: No subcontracting declared by winners
• Research and Teaching: The systems will support research, teaching and industrial collaboration in autonomous systems, multi-agent robotics, navigation and human–robot interaction, and research and teaching at UL CRIS
• No Strategic Procurement: No strategic objectives specified

About the Contracting Authority

University of Limerick is a body governed by public law operating in the education sector in Ireland.

• Legal type: Body governed by public law
• Activity: Education
• Registration number: 0032116A
• Location: Limerick, Ireland (NUTS: IE051)
• Address: Castletroy, Limerick, V94 T9PX
• Email: Majella.OGorman@ul.ie
• Telephone: +35361213078
• Internet address: https://www.ul.ie

About the Winning Suppliers

Vicon Motion Systems Ltd

• Size: Micro, small, or medium enterprise
• Registration number: 54321
• Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
• Postcode: OX5 1QU
• Email: sales@vicon.com
• Subcontracting: No
• Winner of LOT-0001

THURN Group Ltd

• Size: Micro enterprise
• Registration number: 07505898
• Location: Norwich, United Kingdom
• Address: Unit 8 Damgate Lane Ind.Est., Norwich, NR13 3DJ
• Email: tom.hiller@thurngroup.com
• Telephone: 07824360358
• Internet address: https://www.thurngroup.com/
• Subcontracting: No
• Winner of LOT-0002

Evaluation Criteria

Lot 1:

• Price (100%): Cost@100%

Lot 2:

• Price (100%): Price (Cost)

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU
• Competition: 1 tender (Lot 1); 1 tender (Lot 2)
• Subcontracting: No subcontracting declared
• No EU funding: The procurement was not financed with EU funds
• No framework agreement: No framework agreement
• No dynamic purchasing system used
• Accelerated procedure: No
• Strategic procurement: No strategic procurement
• Review body: The High Court of Ireland
• Call for competition terminated: The call for competition has been terminated (contracts awarded)

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
• No EU funds were used for this procurement
• The estimated value is €130,000.00
• The awarded value in this notice is €130,000.00
• The procurement is divided into two lots
• Price (100%) is the evaluation criterion for both lots
• One tender was received for each lot
• The winners are micro or SME enterprises
• No subcontracting was declared
• The contract duration is 60 months
• The systems will support research and teaching at UL CRIS

Market & Industry Perspective

The Irish public sector robotics research equipment market features a mix of specialised international suppliers. Mobile robot motion capture systems and autonomous surface vehicles are essential for research and teaching in autonomous systems, multi-agent robotics, navigation and hydrographic survey.

Key trends in this market include:

• Price focus: 100% price-based evaluation
• Specialised suppliers: Niche expertise in robotics research equipment
• SME participation: Winners are micro or SME enterprises
• Research applications: Support for research, teaching and industrial collaboration
• Hydrographic survey: Multibeam sonar bathymetric mapping and environmental data collection
• Long-term contracts: 60-month duration

Economic Significance

At €130,000.00, this procurement represents a significant investment in robotics research equipment for the University of Limerick. The contracts will:

• Support Robotics Research: Provide a Mobile Robot Motion Capture System and a Compact Autonomous Surface Vehicle
• Support SMEs: Winners are micro or SME enterprises
• Provide Long-Term Stability: 60-month contracts
• Ensure Research Capability: Support research, teaching and industrial collaboration
• Enable Hydrographic Survey: Support inshore hydrographic and bathymetric survey applications
• Support UL CRIS: Support research and teaching at UL CRIS

Future Procurement Opportunities

With these contracts now in place, future opportunities include:

• Re-tender: Expected after the 60-month duration
• Related Equipment: Additional robotics research and survey equipment
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with Vicon Motion Systems Ltd and THURN Group Ltd
• Other Irish Higher Education Institutions: Similar robotics equipment procurements
• Research Projects: Potential equipment for new research projects

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, opportunities remain for robotics equipment suppliers:

• Re-tender: Prepare for future procurement cycles
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with Vicon Motion Systems Ltd and THURN Group Ltd
• Related Equipment: Other robotics research and survey equipment
• Other Irish Higher Education Institutions: Similar robotics equipment procurements
• Research Projects: Monitor new research project equipment opportunities

What Businesses Should Watch

• University of Limerick's future procurement notices
• Other Irish higher education robotics equipment tenders
• Robotics research equipment market trends
• Changes to Irish procurement regulations
• Hydrographic survey technology developments
• Research and teaching equipment requirements

IrelandTenders.com Procurement Intelligence

This robotics equipment procurement is a notable example of Irish public sector procurement. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €130K estimated and awarded value
• Price focus: 100% price-based evaluation
• SME winners: Vicon Motion Systems Ltd and THURN Group Ltd
• Two lots: Motion capture system and hydrographic survey ASV
• Competition: 1 tender per lot
• Research focus: Support for research, teaching and industrial collaboration
• Long-term contracts: 60-month duration

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Competitive pricing: 100% price-based evaluation
• Robotics equipment expertise: Ability to supply motion capture systems and autonomous surface vehicles
• Research equipment capability: Understanding of research and teaching requirements
• Public sector experience: Understanding of Irish higher education requirements
• Technical capability: High-accuracy, low-latency, real-time 3D positional and orientation data; multibeam sonar bathymetric mapping and environmental data collection

Supplier Takeaways

• Offer competitive pricing – 100% of evaluation is price-based
• Demonstrate robotics equipment supply capability
• Showcase motion capture system and autonomous surface vehicle expertise
• Develop public sector experience with Irish higher education institutions
• Demonstrate technical capability for research and teaching applications
• Monitor University of Limerick and Irish higher education procurement opportunities

Key Takeaways

• University of Limerick awarded €130,000.00 in robotics equipment contracts
• Two lots: LOT-0001 (Mobile Robot Motion Capture System) and LOT-0002 (Compact Autonomous Surface Vehicle for Hydrographic Survey)
• Duration: 60 months
• Evaluation: Price (100%) for both lots
• 1 tender received for each lot
• Winners: Vicon Motion Systems Ltd (Lot 1, €70,000.00); THURN Group Ltd (Lot 2, €56,863.00)
• Winners are micro or SME enterprises
• No subcontracting declared
• No EU funding
• Covered by GPA: Yes
• No framework agreement
• Contracts concluded on 28 August 2026

Conclusion

This robotics equipment procurement ensures that the University of Limerick has access to advanced research equipment for its research, teaching and industrial collaboration activities. By awarding the contracts to Vicon Motion Systems Ltd and THURN Group Ltd, the University secures reliable SME suppliers with the capability to deliver a Mobile Robot Motion Capture System and a Compact Autonomous Surface Vehicle for Hydrographic Survey.

The 100% price-based evaluation reflects the equipment-driven nature of robotics research equipment procurement, where price is the primary differentiator among qualified suppliers. The two-lot structure and the long-term 60-month duration reflect the specific research and teaching needs of the University and UL CRIS.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of competitive pricing, robotics equipment expertise, research equipment capability, public sector experience and technical capability in winning Irish public sector robotics research equipment contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the University of Limerick?

Ans: A body governed by public law operating in the education sector in Ireland.

Q: What is the value of the procurement?

Ans: Estimated and awarded value in this notice €130,000.00.

Q: Who are the winners?

Ans: Vicon Motion Systems Ltd (Lot 1) and THURN Group Ltd (Lot 2).

Q: What supplies are covered?

Ans: A Mobile Robot Motion Capture System (Lot 1) and a Compact Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) for Hydrographic Survey (Lot 2).

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Price (100%) for both lots.

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 60 months.

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: One tender for each lot.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Q: What is the review body?

Ans: The High Court of Ireland.

Q: What is the lot structure?

Ans: Two lots – LOT-0001 (Mobile Robot Motion Capture System) and LOT-0002 (Compact Autonomous Surface Vehicle for Hydrographic Survey).

Q: Is subcontracting allowed?

Ans: No subcontracting was declared by the winners.

Q: What is the purpose of the Mobile Robot Motion Capture System?

Ans: To provide high-accuracy, low-latency, real-time 3D positional and orientation data for multiple aerial, ground and surface robotic vehicles operating simultaneously within a defined capture volume, supporting research, teaching and industrial collaboration in autonomous systems, multi-agent robotics, navigation and human–robot interaction.

Q: What is the purpose of the Compact Autonomous Surface Vehicle?

Ans: To enable autonomous and remote-controlled survey operations in shallow inshore waters, rivers and lakes, supporting multibeam sonar bathymetric mapping, water-quality profiling, and environmental data collection, supporting research and teaching at UL CRIS.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 653484-2026, OJ S 183/2026, published 22 September 2026.

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