Tender

Procurement of New Benchtop Genome Sequencer and all consumables and servicing for ten years

AGRI-FOOD AND BIOSCIENCES INSTITUTE (AFBI)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

23 Apr 2026 at 10:15

Summary of the contracting process

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in partnership with CPD - Supplies and Services Division in Belfast is currently in the tender stage of procuring a new benchtop genome sequencer along with all necessary consumables and a service agreement spanning ten years. This initiative, titled "Procurement of New Benchtop Genome Sequencer and all consumables and servicing for ten years," aims to modernise the veterinary microbiology capabilities of AFBI to better serve the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). The procurement falls under the category of medical equipment and laboratory reagents, expected to enhance AFBI’s capacity to process approximately 5,650 microbial genomes annually. The tender, employing an open procedure, requires submissions by 19 May 2026, and electronic submissions are favoured via eTendersNI. The award process is scheduled to conclude on 29 May 2026, with contract commencement expected on 20 July 2026.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for firms specialising in medical and laboratory equipment, especially those with expertise in genome sequencing and long-term servicing agreements. Companies providing biomedical equipment and repair and maintenance services can benefit significantly from this contract, valued at £2.5 million. The emphasis on quality, compliance with minimum functional requirements, and delivering zero carbon solutions also make it attractive for suppliers focusing on high-quality control and sustainable innovations. With a contract period extending until 2036, successful bidders can anticipate a long-term business relationship, fostering potential growth within the public-sector procurement domain.

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Notice Title

Procurement of New Benchtop Genome Sequencer and all consumables and servicing for ten years

Notice Description

AFBI is committed to modernising its veterinary microbiology capabilities in order to improve services to our sponsoring Government Department, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). Expanding on use of microbial genomics has enhanced disease surveillance, epidemiological investigations and pathogen phenotypic characterisation including antimicrobial resistance profiling. Demand for microbial genome sequencing within AFBI VSD has expanded by six-fold over the last 5-year period - a demand that our existing instruments cannot sustain for important in-house sequencing with defined timelines. AFBI therefore require, an instrument with increased sample capacity and data output to ensure demand can be met and continue to deliver high quality data and analyses. Approximately 5650 microbial genomes are expected to be processed per annum with an average size of approximately 5 megabase pairs (Mbps). Additionally, AFBI require consumables/reagents (e.g. Sequencing Chemistry, Oligonucleotide indexes to permit multiplexing of samples for sequencing and DNA Library Preparation Chemistry) for the work detailed above and servicing for this replacement instrument for the duration of its useful life of ten years.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068960
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036977-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

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

50 - Repair and maintenance services

51 - Installation services (except software)

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

33100000 - Medical equipments

33696500 - Laboratory reagents

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

38434540 - Biomedical equipment

38500000 - Checking and testing apparatus

50000000 - Repair and maintenance services

50400000 - Repair and maintenance services of medical and precision equipment

50530000 - Repair and maintenance services of machinery

51000000 - Installation services (except software)

51540000 - Installation services of special-purpose machinery and equipment

85145000 - Services provided by medical laboratories

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£2,500,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Apr 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
19 May 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
19 Jul 2026 - 19 Jul 2036 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
AGRI-FOOD AND BIOSCIENCES INSTITUTE (AFBI)
Additional Buyers

CPD - SUPPLIES AND SERVICES DIVISION

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

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT9 5PX
Post Town
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Sydenham
Westminster Constituency
Belfast East

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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