Award

Purchase of an APS with Scanning Kelvin Probe System

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

20 Apr 2026 at 11:28

Summary of the contracting process

The University of Edinburgh is proceeding with the award of a contract for the purchase of an APS with Scanning Kelvin Probe System under a limited procurement method due to specific technical requirements that have eliminated competition. KP Technology Ltd has been chosen as the supplier for their capability to meet these requirements, including Kelvin probe measurements and surface photovoltage evaluations. This contract, valued at £91,590, was decided without a prior call for competition because of the absence of reasonable alternatives. The procurement falls under the laboratory, optical, and precision equipment industry category, with primary delivery occurring in the UKM75 region. The award process has been completed as of 20th April 2026.

This procurement represents a distinctive opportunity for businesses specialising in laboratory and precision equipment, particularly those offering advanced technologies like Scanning Kelvin Probe Systems. It demonstrates avenues for growth in niche scientific instruments where specific expertise and capabilities in purchasing and supplier engagement are crucial. Companies with expertise in manufacturing or supplying sophisticated scientific instruments might find robust expansion possibilities by targeting contracts with higher education institutions that require bespoke technological solutions. This case underscores the value of specialised technical proficiency in the absence of wider competition.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Purchase of an APS with Scanning Kelvin Probe System

Notice Description

The University of Edinburgh is seeking to award a contract for the purchase of an APS with Scanning Kelvin Probe plus Surface Photovoltage without a tender process due to the belief that there is only one supplier who can meet our requirements. Please see below for further details.

Lot Information

Lot 1

We intend to award a contract to KP Technology Ltd for the purchase of the APS with Scanning Kelvin Probe plus Surface Photovoltage system based on their ability to meet the following specific technical requirements: - Ability to perform Kelvin probe measurements - An instrument that combines Kelvin Probe and Air Photoemission Spectroscopy techniques - Capability to measure energy levels of semiconductors and metals in an ambient environment with a high degree of accuracy - Capability to scan large surface areas of up to 50 x 50 mm - Capability to measure work function and conduct surface photovoltage measurements - Functionality to support analysis of photoexcitation mechanisms within devices

Procurement Information

After comprehensive market engagement competition is absent for technical reasons. No reasonable alternative or substitute exists and the absence of competition is not the result of an artificial narrowing down of the parameters of the procurement. This notice is the final piece of due diligence prior to the award of the contract. Should a supplier detail their ability to meet the requirements, then the award will be halted.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068636
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035584-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

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

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£91,590 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Apr 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

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

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH1 1HT
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM75 City of Edinburgh

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

KP TECHNOLOGY

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-068636-2026-04-20T12:28:09+01:00",
    "date": "2026-04-20T12:28:09+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-068636",
    "description": "(SC Ref:829749)",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "NCA21400",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "Purchase of an APS with Scanning Kelvin Probe System",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "38000000",
            "description": "Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
        "description": "The University of Edinburgh is seeking to award a contract for the purchase of an APS with Scanning Kelvin Probe plus Surface Photovoltage without a tender process due to the belief that there is only one supplier who can meet our requirements. Please see below for further details.",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "We intend to award a contract to KP Technology Ltd for the purchase of the APS with Scanning Kelvin Probe plus Surface Photovoltage system based on their ability to meet the following specific technical requirements: - Ability to perform Kelvin probe measurements - An instrument that combines Kelvin Probe and Air Photoemission Spectroscopy techniques - Capability to measure energy levels of semiconductors and metals in an ambient environment with a high degree of accuracy - Capability to scan large surface areas of up to 50 x 50 mm - Capability to measure work function and conduct surface photovoltage measurements - Functionality to support analysis of photoexcitation mechanisms within devices",
                "hasOptions": false
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "38000000",
                        "description": "Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKM75"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethod": "limited",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition",
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
            {
                "id": "D_OUTSIDE_SCOPE",
                "scheme": "TED_PT_AWARD_CONTRACT_WITHOUT_CALL",
                "description": "The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethodRationale": "After comprehensive market engagement competition is absent for technical reasons. No reasonable alternative or substitute exists and the absence of competition is not the result of an artificial narrowing down of the parameters of the procurement. This notice is the final piece of due diligence prior to the award of the contract. Should a supplier detail their ability to meet the requirements, then the award will be halted."
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "035584-2026-NCA21400-1",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-FTS-180363",
                    "name": "KP Technology Ltd"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-2023",
            "name": "University Of Edinburgh",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "University Of Edinburgh"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Charles Stewart House, 9-16 Chambers Street",
                "locality": "Edinburgh",
                "region": "UKM75",
                "postalCode": "EH1 1HT",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 1316502759",
                "email": "rgibb3@ed.ac.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.ed.ac.uk",
                "buyerProfile": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00107",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "BODY_PUBLIC",
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Body governed by public law"
                    },
                    {
                        "id": "09",
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "description": "Education"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-180363",
            "name": "KP Technology Ltd",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "KP Technology Ltd"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Old Foundry, 12A Burn Street",
                "locality": "Wick",
                "region": "UKM6",
                "postalCode": "KW1 5EH",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "sme"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-1033",
            "name": "Edinburgh Sheriff Court",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Edinburgh Sheriff Court"
            },
            "address": {
                "locality": "Edinburgh",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-FTS-2023",
        "name": "University Of Edinburgh"
    },
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "035584-2026-NCA21400-1",
            "awardID": "035584-2026-NCA21400-1",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 91590,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2026-04-17T00:00:00+01:00"
        }
    ],
    "links": [
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000829749"
        }
    ],
    "language": "en"
}