Tender

White FEG SEM

AWE PLC

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderCancellation

23 Mar 2026 at 12:18

Tender

14 Aug 2025 at 15:01

Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process initiated by AWE Plc for the acquisition of a Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscope (FEG-SEM) was announced on 14th August 2025. The tender falls under the industry category of microscopes and is aimed at replacing an existing instrument that analyses diverse material types like metals, glasses, ceramics, and polymers. Despite reaching the tender cancellation stage on 23rd March 2026, the procurement followed a competitive flexible procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. The entire procurement was conducted at the AWE Aldermaston location in Reading, UK, with a gross contract value of £960,000 and the expression of interest deadline ending on 15th September 2025.

This procurement, although now cancelled, could have been a strategic opportunity for businesses specialising in advanced scientific equipment manufacturing. The process was designed to engage suppliers through a competitive flexible procedure involving stages such as technical demonstrations and tender submissions, allowing participants to showcase their quality, technical expertise, and societal contributions. This tender outlined an attractive proposition for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) skilled in electron microscope technologies to leverage their proficiency and secure a contract with a central government public authority like AWE Plc, located in the heart of the UK's scientific community, thereby expanding their reach and market presence.

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Notice Title

White FEG SEM

Notice Description

AWE is seeking to procure a Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscope (FEG-SEM) to replace an existing instrument. The capability provides analyses of a wide range of material types, including metals, glasses, ceramics and polymers.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Option for maintenance from appointed supplier is required

Renewal: Option to extend if optional maintenance offer from appointed supplier is taken up

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-058832
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026225-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

38510000 - Microscopes

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£800,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£800,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
26 Aug 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jan 2026 - 30 Jan 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Cancelled
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Cancelled
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
AWE PLC
Additional Buyers

MISSING

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
READING
Postcode
RG7 4PR
Post Town
Reading
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ16 Berkshire West
Delivery Location
TLJ South East (England)

Local Authority
West Berkshire
Electoral Ward
Aldermaston
Westminster Constituency
Reading West and Mid Berkshire

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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