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UKRI-5642 Service Contract for Polara Transmission Electron Microscopes

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

17 Feb 2026 at 11:27

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

26 Jan 2026 at 15:31

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

26 Jan 2026 at 13:34

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process undertaken by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) involves a direct award contract for maintenance services related to Polara transmission electron microscopes. This contract, titled "UKRI-5642 Service Contract for Polara Transmission Electron Microscopes," falls under the category of repair and maintenance services in the scientific instruments industry. The buying organisation, which is a public authority within central government, is located in Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom. The procurement has reached the award stage, with the contract active since 7th February 2026 and concluding on 31st December 2028, providing services primarily within the UKH12 region. The total contract value is GBP 215,245, and the procurement method utilised was a direct award due to ISS Group Services Ltd being the sole supplier capable of providing the necessary service, following the cessation of support by the original equipment manufacturer.

This tender provides business growth opportunities specifically for suppliers equipped to deliver high-quality maintenance for complex scientific equipment. ISS Group Services Ltd, a small to medium enterprise based in Manchester, has been recognised for its unique technical capabilities and access to required parts, making them particularly suited to this procurement. Businesses in the scientific repair and maintenance sector with similar expertise may find opportunities in similar tenders, especially those that involve specialised and high-value equipment, allowing them to leverage their technical prowess and expand their client base in public sector scientific research facilities.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-5642 Service Contract for Polara Transmission Electron Microscopes

Notice Description

The Medical Research Council (MRC) have appointed a supplier to provide a service contract for two Polara transmission electron microscopes, a Tecnai Spirit and a Tecnai F20 transmission electron microscope for a period of 3 years.

Procurement Information

The original manufacturer for the Polara's has stopped providing service contracts for this equipment. ISS Group are now the only supplier with the technical capability and access to parts required to provide a service contract for this equipment.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060e94
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014208-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

38511200 - Transmission electron microscope

50000000 - Repair and maintenance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£215,245 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£215,245 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Feb 20266 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
22 Jan 20267 months ago
Contract Period
7 Feb 2026 - 31 Dec 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Postcode Area
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ISS Group Services Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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