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Tandem Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer

NPL Management Limited

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

18 Sep 2026 at 14:55

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

15 Jul 2026 at 11:46

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

15 May 2026 at 16:24

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NPL Management Limited, operator of the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, is buying a tandem inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer for laboratory analysis. The equipment must use collision/reaction cell technology to analyse trace elements, primarily in environmental samples, and resolve isobaric interferences. Required features include four-channel control for collision and reaction gases, two mass-filter quadrupoles with ±1 amu ion-selection control before and after the cell, single-particle ICP-MS for nanoparticle characterisation, and high-matrix introduction for samples containing up to 25% total dissolved solids. This is a goods procurement for delivery in the United Kingdom. The requirement is arranged as one lot and covers laboratory, optical and precision equipment, excluding glassware.

The procurement has reached tender: NPL invited offers through an accelerated open procedure. Enquiries had to be submitted by 2 October 2026 at 17:00, and electronic tenders in English were due by 15 October 2026 at 17:00. Evaluation is based on technical quality at 75%, commercial price at 20% and social value at 5%. The contract is scheduled to run from 16 November 2026 to 18 November 2027, with renewal provisions allowing the maximum extent of the arrangement to reach 27 September 2031. The estimated value for the single lot is £237,000 excluding VAT, or £284,400 including VAT. The award decision was due by 16 November 2026. The equipment is above the applicable procurement threshold.

This opportunity suits suppliers of advanced analytical laboratory instrumentation, particularly manufacturers, specialist distributors and systems integrators with experience supplying ICP-MS equipment for environmental and trace-element analysis. Bidders need to provide an instrument combining collision/reaction cell capability, four-channel cell-gas control and dual quadrupole mass filtering, together with single-particle analysis and high-matrix operation up to 25% total dissolved solids. Suppliers should have the technical expertise and delivery capacity to configure and support a complex scientific instrument for a national laboratory environment. The buyer identifies the lot as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises, although the specialist equipment specification is most directly relevant to businesses with established mass-spectrometry capability and access to appropriate technical support.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Tandem Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer

Notice Description

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is seeking engagement from suppliers who can provide inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer with collision reaction cell technology for analysis of trace elements primarily in environmental samples. The instrument should have capability for resolving isobaric interferences via collision/reaction cell with four-channel cell gas control for a range of collision and reaction cell gases and two mass filter quadrupoles, both of which allow for +- 1 amu ion selection control pre- and post-cell. There should be capability for single particle ICP-MS for nanoparticle characterization and high matrix introduction for up to 25% total dissolved solids.

Planning Information

Prior to initiating the procurement, NPL wishes to establish the level of market interest in the forthcoming procurement process. Suitably qualified and experienced suppliers who may have an interest in this project are invited to register for this Preliminary Market Engagement. The purpose of the market engagement is to help assess the reaction of the market, to understand risks and future possibilities to ensure a future proofed procurement strategy and resulting contract. Any submission received in response to this exercise will not constitute any contractual agreement between the respondent and NPL. Nor does the receipt of a response automatically include the respondent in the procurement process. A Tender Notice will be issued to the market which will provide details of how the relating procurement documentation can be accessed and timescales for submission of the said tender response. Interested parties shall bear their own costs of participation in this Market Engagement of whatever nature. NPL shall not be liable for the costs, expenses or losses howsoever arising (including, without limitation, any loss of profit or other economic loss incurred), regardless of the outcome of the Market Engagement. The next stage in the process will be considered once this exercise has been completed.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069a55
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088763-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

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

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
£237,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£237,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Sep 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
15 Oct 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
1 Sep 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
16 Nov 2026 - 18 Nov 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NPL Management Limited
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
TEDDINGTON
Postcode
TW11 0LW
Postcode Area
Twickenham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI7 Outer London - West and North West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI75 Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Richmond upon Thames
Electoral Ward
Teddington
Westminster Constituency
Twickenham

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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