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4998/AM/GM - Digital Product Passport Cell R3

UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

20 Jul 2026 at 15:51

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

14 Apr 2026 at 13:50

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

04 Mar 2026 at 10:25

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Sheffield, through its Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Integrated Manufacturing Group, procured a Digital Product Passport Cell for its Factory 2050 facility at Catcliffe in South Yorkshire. The requirement covers the design, supply and commissioning of a robotic cell on the workshop floor. It is intended to support research into Digital Product Passports by reading and writing product data during the automated disassembly of an electric motor, helping demonstrate circular manufacturing technologies. The cell will also be used as a demonstration platform for UK manufacturers visiting the AMRC. The procurement combines specialist robotic and workshop equipment, research and testing simulation, special-purpose machinery, industrial robotics, and industry-specific software development and consultancy services. It is a goods-led requirement with associated technology and integration services.

This procurement has been awarded following a completed open procedure. The University of Sheffield awarded the contract to Loop Technology Limited on 20 July 2026. The awarded value is £399,043.01 gross. There was one lot, with an estimated value of £400,000 net and £480,000 gross; the published lot record also gives the currency as AED. The award contract period runs from 28 August 2026 to 31 March 2028, following an estimated tender contract period ending 31 March 2027. The tender submission deadline was 11 May 2026 at 12:00, and the award decision was due by 27 May 2026. Evaluation placed 75% on quality and 25% on price. One bid was received, from an SME, and the lot was marked suitable for SMEs. Electronic submission in English was allowed.

This requirement indicates demand from the University of Sheffield for an integrated research and demonstration system rather than a production-line installation. A credible future competitor would need to combine robotic-cell design, industrial automation, special-purpose machinery, workshop equipment and software capable of reading and writing product information during automated electric-motor disassembly. Experience in research, testing or scientific simulation would be relevant, as would the ability to commission equipment and support researchers using an exploratory technology platform. Suppliers should be able to demonstrate strong technical quality, since quality carried substantially more weight than price in the evaluation. The requirement was suitable for SMEs, suggesting that a specialist robotics or automation business, potentially working with software and integration partners, could compete if it can deliver the full system and demonstrate it effectively to manufacturers.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

4998/AM/GM - Digital Product Passport Cell R3

Notice Description

4998/AM/GM Digital Passport Cell The University of Sheffield wishes to invite tenders for a Digital Passport Cell on behalf of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, Integrated Manufacturing Group at Catcliffe, South Yorkshire. Scope of Requirement To enable our research in this area, the AMRC is inviting tenders for the design, supply and commissioning of a robotic cell on the workshop floor of our Factory 2050 building which will allow our researchers to test and develop technologies relevant to a Digital Passport. We would like to demonstrate these technologies in a cell that is designed to read and write data during the automatic disassembly of an electric motor. This is an ideal demonstration scenario as the key driver behind the introduction of Digital Passports is that they should enable greater circularity in manufacturing industries. As well as acting as a research tool the cell should also be designed to facilitate the AMRC's aim of advancing UK manufacturing by demonstrating key technologies to UK manufacturers during visits to our facility. Please note that the work of the AMRC involves exploring new technologies which have the potential to deliver benefits to UK manufacturing; we are not a manufacturing organisation looking for a production ready solution.

Planning Information

The University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) is considering the future procurement of a robotic cell to support research into Digital Product Passports (DPPs)—digital records that capture key data about a product’s materials, manufacturing history, and end-of-life options. The proposed robotic cell would be located at our Factory 2050 facility and used to demonstrate automated disassembly of an electric motor. The system would read and write data throughout the process to support research into circular manufacturing and highlight how DPPs can enable more sustainable industrial practices. The cell will also act as a demonstration platform for UK manufacturers, showcasing cutting-edge technologies that support the development and use of DPPs. We are carrying out preliminary market engagement to better understand current capabilities and innovations available in the market. This early engagement will help shape a fair, open, and realistic procurement process. We welcome input from potential suppliers and integrators on how their solutions could meet our initial needs. In particular, we would appreciate information on: Relevant technologies or approaches Indicative delivery timelines Non-binding pricing guidance to support early budgeting. Please note: this is not a formal procurement exercise. No commitment is being made at this stage, and participation in this engagement will not give any advantage in any future procurement. Any subsequent procurement process will be conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, ensuring transparency, equal treatment, and open competition. If you have any questions or comments in relation to this tender they must be submitted via the In-tend System, this can be accessed at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/Sheffield Closing date for this market engagement is March 18th, 2026 at 12:00 noon (UK Time)

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0661c6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068378-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

42 - Industrial machinery

43 - Machinery for mining, quarrying, construction equipment

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

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

38970000 - Research, testing and scientific technical simulator

42600000 - Machine tools

42611000 - Special-purpose machine tools

42990000 - Miscellaneous special-purpose machinery

42997300 - Industrial robots

43800000 - Workshop equipment

72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services

72212100 - Industry specific software development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£399,043 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
11 May 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
28 Aug 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SHEFFIELD
Postcode
S10 2TN
Postcode Area
Sheffield
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE3 South Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE32 Sheffield
Delivery Location
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Local Authority
Sheffield
Electoral Ward
Broomhill and Sharrow Vale
Westminster Constituency
Sheffield Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Loop Technology Limited

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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