2.15 While the specification was demanding, the Department and Laser were of the view that the specified outputs had been achieved in other laboratories, and/or were already achieved in parts of the existing facilities. What the Department wanted that was extra, was greater reliability of the environmental conditions over increased volumes of controlled space.
2.16 In exchanges with Laser following its appointment as preferred bidder, the Department considered that JLC Ltd's design concept for controlling temperature to meet the most stringent requirements was similar to those adopted in other leading laboratories. The Department considers that JLC Ltd subsequently modified its design and in so doing introduced a non-standard approach. The Department was not aware of the change until late 1998, after it had awarded the contract. The Department, JLC Ltd and Laser did not realise that meeting the stringent temperature requirements would prove to be so difficult, or that leading edge engineering would be needed to meet the sub-audible noise requirements, within the shell of the new buildings.