This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

13 May 2026 at 15:52

TenderUpdate

17 Nov 2025 at 14:35

Tender

03 Nov 2025 at 13:56

Planning

16 Jan 2025 at 09:53

Summary of the contracting process

APUC Limited has successfully completed the procurement process for a framework agreement titled "Laboratory Consumables and Chemicals," which aims to supply essential laboratory consumables and chemicals across Scotland. The procurement process, conducted through an open procedure, commenced with extensive planning and pre-market engagement, and concluded with the awarding of contracts on 27 March 2026. The framework agreement covers various lots including glassware, filtration plastics, solvents, and a one-stop shop for consumables, intended to support the Scottish higher education and public sector institutions such as NHS Scotland and local councils. The procurement falls under the goods category with a total estimated value of £40 million, and is delivered by several suppliers, ensuring a diverse supply chain across the UK region (UKM).

This extensive framework agreement offers substantial opportunities for businesses in the laboratory equipment and chemical supplies industry. It is particularly beneficial for suppliers who can offer high-quality products that meet the technical requirements outlined by the authority. Considering the demand for a broad range of laboratory consumables, manufacturers and distributors of protective equipment, laboratory glassware, filtration plastics, and chemicals are well-positioned to leverage this agreement for business growth. SMEs also have a strong presence in the awarded lots, highlighting the accessible nature of the procurement to smaller enterprises ready to engage with public sector bodies, meet rigorous standards, and contribute to community benefits efforts promoted by the framework.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Laboratory Consumables and Chemicals

Notice Description

The Authority was seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of those laboratory consumables and chemicals required for the efficient functioning of laboratories in the Scottish HE/FE sector, NHS Scotland and other Scottish public sector organisations. For the purposes of this exercise, consumables and chemicals include but are not limited to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), glassware, filtration plastics, molecular biology plastics, tissue culture plastics, pipette tips and pipettors, gloves, solvents, fine chemicals, alcohol and acids, bio-chemicals, inorganic chemicals and salts and green chemicals. The supply of all products should include a provision for take-back schemes where possible. The Authority was seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of supply of laboratory consumables and chemicals required for the efficient functioning of laboratories across the further and higher education sector, NHS Scotland and other public bodies in Scotland. This includes Full and Associate Members, and future members of APUC Ltd.(Advanced Procurement for Universities & Colleges): https://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk/?#!/members. Other participating bodies include: - NHS National Procurement and its members - East Dunbartonshire Council - Fife Council, - East Ayrshire Council, - City of Edinburgh Council - Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture - SASA - National Galleries of Scotland - National Records of Scotland - Marine Directorate.

Lot Information

Glassware

The Authority was seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of laboratory glassware including, but not limited to: autoclavable accessories, beakers, centrifuge tubes, microscope slides, flasks, funnels, petri dishes, test tubes.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.

Filtration Plastics

The Authority was seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of filtration plastics including, but not limited to: bottle top filters, cell strainers, vacuum filters, funnels.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.

Pipettes and Tips

The Authority was seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of Pipettes and Tips including, but not limited to: filter membranes, micropipettes, pipettor controllers, mechanical pipettors.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.

Bio-Chemicals

The Authority was seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of Bio-chemicals including, but not limited to: a variety of bio-chemicals such as Organic Compounds, Alkane, Antibiotics, Buffers and Supplements suitable for a range of laboratory applications.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.

One-Stop Shop Consumables and Chemicals

This lot covers all types of consumables and chemicals commonly used in laboratories including those detailed in the Lot descriptions for Lots 1-8. This lot also includes laboratory PPE products (lab coats, sleeve protectors, eye care supplies, head protection, safety glasses and eye protection, protective aprons, respirators, face masks, footwear), gloves (nitrile, vinyl, latex, rubber, neoprene, safety) and general laboratory consumables (cleaning cloths, wipes, lab trays, spatulas, histological blades, tools, stir bars, syringes, labels, racks, stoppers, tubing, vial caps).

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.

Molecular Biology and Tissue Culture Plastics

The Authority was seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of plastic consumables including, but not limited to: bacteria testing supplies, microcentrifuge tubes, test tubes, culture tubes, vacutainers, cell scrapers, tubes, dishes, plates, media bottles, inserts.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.

Solvents, Alcohol and Acids

The Authority was seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of a variety of standard solvents, alcohols and acids suitable for a range of laboratory applications.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.

Fine Chemicals and Deuterated Solvents

The Authority was seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of fine chemicals including, but not limited to: chemical substances prepared to a high degree of purity for use in research. The lot is including chemicals such as 4-fluorophenylacetylene and Dess-Martin Periodinane, and a variety of deuterated solvents suitable for a range of laboratory applications.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.

Inorganic Chemicals and Salts

The Authority was seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of inorganic chemicals and salts including, but not limited to: a variety of in-organic chemicals and salts such as Ammonium Nitrate, Magnesium Sulfate and Sodium Chloride suitable for a range of laboratory applications.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04d071
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044079-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

18 - Clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories

24 - Chemical products

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)


CPV Codes

18424000 - Gloves

18424300 - Disposable gloves

24300000 - Basic inorganic and organic chemicals

24310000 - Basic inorganic chemicals

24311000 - Chemical elements, inorganic acids and compounds

24315000 - Miscellaneous inorganic chemicals

24320000 - Basic organic chemicals

24322500 - Alcohol

24327000 - Miscellaneous organic chemicals

33141310 - Syringes

33696500 - Laboratory reagents

33793000 - Laboratory glassware

35113400 - Protective and safety clothing

38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

38437000 - Laboratory pipettes and accessories

38437100 - Pipettes

38437110 - Pipette tips

38437120 - Pipette stands

44832000 - Solvents

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£40,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£13,750,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 May 20263 months ago
Submission Deadline
19 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
1 May 2025Expired
Award Date
27 Mar 20265 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
November 2029

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
APUC Limited
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
STIRLING
Postcode
FK8 2DZ
Postcode Area
Falkirk and Stirling
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM0 Eastern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM02 Perth and Kinross, and Stirling
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Stirling
Electoral Ward
Stirling East
Westminster Constituency
Stirling and Strathallan

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
13
Supplier Names

Apollo Scientific Ltd.

Be Scientific Ltd

Camlab Limited

Dixon Glass Ltd (T/A Dixon Science)

Findel Education Ltd

Fisher Scientific UK

Greiner Bio-One td

LS Scientific Limited

Merck Life Science UK Limited

Scientific Laboratory Supplies Limited

StarLab

VWR International Ltd

fluorochem

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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