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Life Sciences Equipment - Cagewash, IVC and Decontamination

UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX(THE)

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

19 Oct 2026 at 11:31

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

16 Oct 2026 at 16:23

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

16 Oct 2026 at 15:53

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

26 Jun 2025 at 09:51

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Sussex is buying and installing life-sciences equipment for the refurbishment of its Biomedical Research Facility in Falmer, Brighton. The five lots cover a rack or cabinet washer; a bedding and dump station; bottle de-capping and processing equipment; vapourised hydrogen peroxide (VHP) decontamination equipment and an air shower; and a racking system with individually ventilated cages (IVCs), air-handling units and a change station. The scope includes associated racks and goods, with suppliers required to coordinate delivery and installation with the refurbishment works contractor. This is laboratory equipment supply and installation, intended to support the facility’s research operations and equipment decontamination. The washer lot has two alternative sub-options, of which the University intends to select one.

The University invited offers through an open procedure. The procurement is divided into five lots, and suppliers may bid for one, several or all; there is no limit on how many lots one supplier can win. The washer lot comprises two alternatives, with one intended for award. The enquiry deadline was 30 October 2026 at 17:00, and the bid deadline is 16 November 2026 at 16:00. The planned contract period for each lot runs from 1 March 2027 to 1 March 2030, with award decisions due by 1 February 2027. The estimated procurement value is £425,000. Bids are assessed on commercial offer, weighted 60%, and technical quality, weighted 40%. Electronic submission is permitted, in English. An NDA must be completed before the commercially sensitive specifications are issued.

This opportunity suits manufacturers and specialist suppliers of laboratory, biomedical and animal-research facility equipment, as well as firms able to install and commission it. Each lot is separately bid-able, making the opportunity relevant both to suppliers of a particular equipment type and to businesses able to cover several lots. The requirement calls for the capacity to coordinate equipment delivery and installation with a works contractor during a facility refurbishment. Suppliers should be able to provide technically suitable equipment, including cage and rack washing, bedding handling, bottle processing, VHP decontamination, air showers or IVC racking systems, depending on the lot pursued. The University gives technical quality substantial weight alongside commercial price, so relevant product performance and installation expertise matter. SMEs are expressly considered suitable across all five lots. The washer lot’s alternative sub-options mean suppliers should establish which option their proposed solution addresses.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Life Sciences Equipment - Cagewash, IVC and Decontamination

Notice Description

This opportunity is for supply and installation of life sciences decontamination equipment, IVCs, racks and related goods at The University of Sussex. This opportunity is split into five lots. The University of Sussex ("the Authority") is planning refurbishment works to its' Biomedical Research Facility. The refurbishment programme includes the provision of IVCs, racks and related equipment, and the supply and installation of decontamination and cleaning equipment. The University is therefore seeking willing and able organisations to supply and install equipment as part of this refurbishment programme. Successful bidders will be required to co-ordinate with the Works Contractor to deliver and install the equipment on-site during the refurbishment. Due to the commercially sensitive nature of the specifications, Participants must first complete and return the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) provided with this Invitation to Tender before being issued with the specification documents. The Tender documents can be accessed on Proactis under ref# UOSREQ1000374.

Lot Information

Rack or Cabinet Washer

This Lot is split into two sub-lots. The Authority intends to award either Lot 1a (Option1) or Lot 1b (Option 2).

Bedding Station

Bedding station and dump station

Bottle de-capping & processing

Bottle de-capping & processing equipment.

VHP and Air Sower

VHP decontamination and Air Shower.

Racking system

Racking system with IVCs, AHUs and Change Station

Planning Information

1. Contracting Authority Details Name: University of Sussex Address: Sussex House, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RH Contact Point: Claire Hutchinson ________________________________________ 2. Description of Intended Procurement Title: Cage and rack washer for the Biomedical Research Facility (BRF). Estimated Value: Approx. £423,502 (inclusive of VAT) Procurement Type: Supply, installation, and commissioning of laboratory equipment CPV Code(s): 38434540 - Biomedical Equipment Additional CPV Code 42920000 - Industrial Cleaning Machinery ________________________________________ 3. Purpose of the Engagement The University of Sussex is undertaking preliminary market engagement to better understand the availability of equipment solutions that can meet a specific set of technical and structural constraints within our Biomedical Research Facility. We are particularly interested in cage and rack washers capable of operating within a 100mm maximum pit depth, due to the presence of significant structural constraints that preclude deeper pit depths and structural alterations. This notice is issued to: • Seek information from suppliers about their capability to meet these requirements. • Understand any technical or commercial developments in the market that may affect the procurement approach. • Assess whether a competitive process remains viable or whether the technical constraints may lead to a compliant direct award. ________________________________________ 4. Market Engagement Format Interested suppliers are invited to respond in writing to the questions set out in Section 6 below. Responses may be followed up with clarification calls or site visits if required. This is not a call for competition. Participation in this engagement is voluntary and will not affect the supplier's ability to participate in any future procurement. ________________________________________ 5. Background Information The BRF is a live, regulated facility with significant architectural constraints. A structural engineering investigation has confirmed that modifying the pit depth (currently 100mm) would require substantial and disruptive structural interventions. We are therefore exploring whether compliant cage and rack washers exist that function fully within this constraint. ________________________________________ 6. Information Requested from Suppliers Please respond to the following: 1. Do you offer a cage and rack washer capable of operating within a maximum 100mm pit depth? 2. What are the design, manufacturing, installation, weight and maintenance requirements for your solution? 3. Have you supplied similar solutions in constrained laboratory or animal research environments? 4. Can your equipment design be modified to meet unique spatial constraints? 5. Are you aware of any comparable installations in the UK or EU where pit depth has been a limiting factor? Please include relevant brochures, technical drawings, and references as appropriate. ________________________________________ 7. Timeline for Responses Responses should be submitted by: 10th July Send responses to: FinanceServiceDesk@sussex.ac.uk ________________________________________ 8. Confidentiality and Further Engagement All information shared during this process will be treated in confidence and used solely to inform the University's procurement strategy. A formal procurement notice will be issued in due course if a competitive procedure is pursued. ________________________________________ 9. Disclaimer This notice does not constitute a commitment to any future procurement process. The University reserves the right to revise its requirements and/or proceed via direct award where lawful grounds (e.g., Regulation 41 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2023) can be robustly demonstrated.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0553e2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/098391-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

51 - Installation services (except software)

CPV Codes

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

51430000 - Installation services of laboratory equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£425,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
16 Nov 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Mar 2027 - 1 Mar 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX(THE)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
FALMER, BRIGHTON
Postcode
BN1 9RH
Postcode Area
Brighton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ21 Brighton and Hove
Delivery Location
TLJ South East (England)
Local Authority
Brighton and Hove
Electoral Ward
Coldean & Stanmer
Westminster Constituency
Brighton Pavilion

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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