Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Purchase of High Throughput Sonication Systems (Covaris) including Associated Consumables and Maintenance

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderCancellation

01 Sep 2025 at 12:05

UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Award

21 Aug 2025 at 08:55

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process managed by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, supported by the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership and Velindre University NHS Trust, aimed to acquire High Throughput Sonication Systems (Covaris) alongside associated consumables and maintenance. Initially, this tender, titled "Purchase of High Throughput Sonication Systems (Covaris) including Associated Consumables and Maintenance", targeted enhancing services for the All Wales Genomics Service and expanding somatic cancer testing capacity. The contract, although awarded through a direct procurement method to Covaris due to its proprietary Adaptive Focused Acoustics technology, was recently revised, ending the equipment purchase component as of 1st September 2025. The focus is now solely on consumables and maintenance, signifying a strategic retargeting within the life sciences and medical equipment sector in Cardiff, Wales (UKL22 region).

This tender, particularly aimed at businesses capable of delivering advanced medical consumables and maintenance for high-throughput sonication systems, offered substantial business growth opportunities. By covering essential consumables for a three-year period with additional extension possibilities, smaller firms in the medical consumables industry could leverage this contract for sustained revenue growth and technology partnerships. Companies with expertise in maintenance and service provision within genomics and cancer diagnostics would find this contract especially beneficial, considering the specific technological requirements and the long-term nature of the supply agreement in the burgeoning field of precision medicine in the UK.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Purchase of High Throughput Sonication Systems (Covaris) including Associated Consumables and Maintenance

Notice Description

Cardiff and vale University Health Board, on behalf of the All Wales Genomics Service, intends to award a contract to Covaris , Inc. for the supply of a high throughput sonication system to support Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) workflows. The system is required to process samples in plate formats for downstream NGS library preparation and to expand capacity for somatic cancer testing services in Wales. Covaris is the sole manufacturer of instruments using patented Adaptive Focused Acoustics (AFA) technology, which is essential for achieving the required reproducibility and performance. No alternative suppliers were identified through market engagement and the equipment is not available via national frameworks. The procurement will cover supply of instrument, consumables and maintenance for three years (with warranty), with option to extend for up to two additional years. This notice is issued in accordance with procurement transparency obligations and to ensure compliance with public procurement regulations.

Procurement Information

Covaris Inc. holds exclusive intellectual property rights over its propriety Adaptive Focused Acoustics technology, which is integral to its sample preparation systems. The company owns over 125 issued and pending patents covering acoustic treatment, sample processing, and instrument design. The patents ensure that no other supplier can legally replicate or offer equivalent technology. Covaris is also the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of its instruments and consumables. It does not license production or distribution to third parties, making it the sole legal source for these products and services. Covaris equipment is uniquely engineered to support specific workflows in genomics, proteomics, and epigenetics. The AFA technology enables highly controlled and reproducible sample preparation, which is essential for down stream applications such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and cancer diagnostics.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-058bc5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052768-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

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

CPV Codes

33140000 - Medical consumables

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

38400000 - Instruments for checking physical characteristics

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Sep 202511 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
21 Aug 20251 years ago
Contract Period
1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2029 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF14 4HH
Postcode Area
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Heath
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Covaris

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...