Estimated Value
Up to £160,000,000
Deadline
20 July 2026
37 days remaining
Published
12 June 2026
Type
goods
Overview
This Lot is intended for the supply of fully integrated liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) systems, supplied as a complete solution. This lot also includes less frequently purchased components, for example: matrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) and ion traps.
This Lot is intended for the supply of routine analytical mass spectrometry systems, capable of operating as a standalone detector, or integration with existing laboratory systems where required. For example, including, but not limited to stand alone mass spectrometers (MS); inductively coupled mass spectrometers (ICP-MS); isotope ratio mass spectrometers and other interfaces which are neither solely gas chromatography nor liquid chromatography.
This Lot is intended for the supply of Liquid Chromatography. For example, autosamplers, ovens, and associated units, Ultraviolet fluorescence and other detectors which are neither Gas Chromatography nor Mass Spectrometry.
Key points
- APUC Ltd.(Advanced Procurement for Universities & Colleges): https://apuc-scot.ac.uk/membership/
- HEPCW (Higher Education Procurement Consortia Wales): https://www.hepcw.ac.uk/members/
- NEUPC (North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.neupc.ac.uk/join/members/who-are-our-members
- NWUPC (North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.nwupc.ac.uk/members/
- LUPC (London Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.lupc.ac.uk/members/our-members/
- SUPC (Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.supc.ac.uk/our-members/ Other participating bodies include:
- NHS National (Scotland) Procurement and its members
- Scotland Excel and its members
- Scottish Government National Public Bodies
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency – SEPA
- Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture – SASA
- National Galleries of Scotland
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
- National Records of Scotland
- National Library of Scotland
- Scottish Police Authority/Police Scotland.
Additional details
This Lot is intended for the supply of Gas Chromatography (GC) systems. Including, but not limited to: Flame Ionisation detector, Electron capture detector and other detectors which are not specifically Mass Spectrometers.
This Lot is intended for the supply of Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometers (GC/MS). Including, but not limited to: Time of Flight (ToF); Quadropole (QMS); triple Quadropole (QQQ) and other Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry equipment.
This Lot is intended for the supply of Gas generators, compressors, associated utilities. Including, but not limited to: For example, Hydrogen Generators; Helium Generators, Nitrogen Generators and any other associated generator equipment
This Lot is intended for the supply of Columns, stationary phases, standards, tubing, vials, etc. Any general consumables or accessories which are associated with any of the equipment included in any of the other lots in this Framework Agreement. Comprehensive or preventative maintenance of equipment included in lots 1-5 of this Framework Agreement which is out with its agreed warranty period including existing equipment located in institutions. Comprehensive or preventative maintenance of equipment included in lot 6 of this Framework Agreement which is out with its agreed warranty period including existing equipment located in institutions.
AI Analysis
Powered by AI — always verify against official documents
UK universities, colleges, NHS bodies, and public sector organisations across Scotland and the UK are looking for suppliers of laboratory analytical equipment — specifically mass spectrometry and chromatography machines, plus maintenance and repair services. This is a framework agreement, meaning successful suppliers will be on an approved list that these organisations can order from over several years.
Requirements
- Ability to supply fully integrated LC-MS (liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry) systems as complete solutions
- Capability to supply standalone analytical mass spectrometry systems (MS, ICP-MS, isotope ratio MS)
- Supply of liquid chromatography equipment (autosamplers, ovens, UV/fluorescence detectors)
- Supply of gas chromatography (GC) systems with various detectors
- Supply of GC/MS systems including Time of Flight, Quadrupole, and triple Quadrupole variants
- Supply of gas generators and compressors (hydrogen, helium, nitrogen generators)
- Supply of consumables and accessories (columns, stationary phases, standards, tubing, vials)
- Provision of comprehensive/preventative maintenance and repair services for equipment outside warranty periods
- Ability to service existing equipment already installed in institutions
- Willingness to work with multiple purchasing consortia and public bodies across UK regions
Key Tasks & Deliverables
- Supply fully integrated LC-MS systems as complete ready-to-use solutions
- Supply standalone mass spectrometers capable of operating independently or integrated with existing lab systems
- Supply liquid chromatography equipment including autosamplers, temperature-controlled ovens, and detectors
- Supply gas chromatography systems with appropriate detectors (flame ionisation, electron capture, etc.)
- Supply combined GC/MS equipment in various configurations (ToF, Quadrupole, triple Quadrupole)
- Supply gas generators and compressors (hydrogen, helium, nitrogen) and associated utilities
- Supply laboratory consumables and accessories (columns, standards, tubing, vials) compatible with the equipment
- Provide comprehensive preventative maintenance on equipment outside warranty periods
- Repair and maintain existing analytical equipment already in use at institutions
- Deliver equipment and services to multiple institutions across six UK university purchasing consortia plus NHS and Scottish public bodies
How to Read This Tender
- 1This is a 'framework agreement' — not a one-off purchase order. If you win, you become an approved supplier on a list that many organisations can order from over several years. You don't get paid upfront; you get paid when customers actually order from you.
- 2There are 7 separate 'Lots' (categories). You don't have to bid for all of them — you can bid for just the equipment or services you supply. For example, if you only sell GC/MS equipment, bid for Lot 5. If you only do maintenance, bid for Lots 7 and 8.
- 3The customers are spread across the UK through six regional university consortia (APUC in Scotland, HEPCW in Wales, NEUPC in the North East, etc.), plus NHS Scotland, Scottish councils, and national bodies like the National Galleries and Royal Botanic Garden. Check if you can realistically deliver to all these regions.
- 4Read the full tender documents (which aren't shown here) to find: pricing expectations, volume forecasts, delivery timescales, accreditation requirements, SLA requirements for maintenance, and whether you need to hold stock. Framework agreements often have strict performance requirements.
- 5Watch for 'associated and affiliated bodies' — this means not just the main universities, but their spin-off companies, research institutes, and partner organisations can also order from you. This could be much larger than you initially think.
Tips for Small Businesses
- If you're a specialist in one area (e.g. you only sell consumables like columns and vials, or you only do maintenance), don't feel you need to bid for all 7 lots. Bid only for what you genuinely supply — consortia appreciate focused, credible suppliers over generalists.
- Consider partnering with other suppliers through a consortium bid. For example, if you're a UK distributor but not a manufacturer, partner with the manufacturer and handle customer service and logistics. Framework agreements are often easier to win and manage as a team.
- Research the Scottish procurement rules carefully — this contract heavily features Scottish public bodies and APUC. Scottish Government has specific sustainability and social value scoring requirements. Check whether you can demonstrate local employment, environmental benefits, or community impact to score higher on tender evaluation.
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Useful Resources
Key Dates
Published
12 June 2026
Submission deadline
20 July 2026
Notice type
tender
Source
find a tender
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