Purchase of Aerosol mass spectrometer - Quadrapole ACSM (PM2.5)

The EA, on behalf of DEFRA, manage a series of Air Quality Networks, the operation of which is contracted out to Contractors.

One of the contracts is known as the Particle Concentration and Numbers Network which is to provide Particulate Speciation size and numbers at key urban and rural 'supersites' to inform policy development and science, including one specific element of the Air Quality 2008 Directive regarding Particulate Matter. The Contract has been in existence for approximately 19 years although has evolved to include different sites and types of sampling regarding ambient particulate.

The DEFRA Policy team have identified a need to measure organic PM speciation work at a rural site in the PCN Network (Chilbolton) and asked the EA AQ Contract Managers to find a suitable equipment to carry out this work.

The network contractor at the National Physical Laboratory who operate the network along with Imperial College London have reviewed the market and proposed the ACSM (Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor) system, which measures quantitative particle mass loading and chemical composition in real-time for non-refractory aerosol. It works by an aerosol inlet, particle sizing, vaporisation, ionization and then mass analysis to individually identify PM (Particulate Matter) species.

The instrument is only available to purchase from the US manufacturer Aerodyne. Contract forms using the Agency terms and conditions summarising the quote provided by ACSM is as below, and the option for the sampling and dryer system will be required, as well as the aerosol generator and UPS. We will state that payment is on delivery by March 2022 to utilise this year's budget. Courier transport fee will be around £1000 for the equipment to be delivered to the Air Quality station. The running costs of the equipment will be covered by the Revenue contact for the PCN network.