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NanoSims Annual Service Contract

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

16 Jul 2026 at 15:58

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

15 Jun 2026 at 12:46

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

04 Jun 2026 at 12:28

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process involves THE OPEN UNIVERSITY, located in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, engaging a service contract titled "NanoSims Annual Service Contract" in the category of repair and maintenance services. The procurement stage is the Award, with key dates including the contract period starting on 11th July 2026 and ending on 10th July 2029, with the contract being signed on 11th July 2026. The procurement method applied was a direct award owing to the unique technical requirements that only Cameca, the supplier based in France, could meet. The process is set under UK legislation, specifically UKPGA 2023/54, with the legal basis ensuring compliance with relevant statutory provisions.

This tender offers growth opportunities for businesses that have niche technical capabilities and a proven track record in providing specialist services for highly complex equipment such as the NanoSIMS instrument. The service contract, valued at €507,600 gross, highlights the importance of possessing unique technical expertise and access to necessary components, positioning businesses that specialise in scientific instrument maintenance and support as ideal candidates. Companies suited for such tenders should have a demonstrated background in supplying and servicing advanced scientific equipment, as well as the ability to provide reliable, ongoing support to prestigious academic institutions like THE OPEN UNIVERSITY.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

NanoSims Annual Service Contract

Notice Description

Renewal of annual service contract for the NanoSIMS 50 instrument.

Procurement Information

The following conditions are met in relation to the public contract -- (a) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and (b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works. CAMECA is the original supplier of the NanoSIMS instrument and the only provider capable of delivering service support to the required standard, including the necessary knowledge, expertise and access to parts. The NanoSIMS instrument is highly complex and sensitive, requiring specialist technical expertise to maintain it effectively. There are no reasonable alternative suppliers able to provide the level of support needed to ensure its continued operation for research purposes.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ad80
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067439-2026
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
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

50000000 - Repair and maintenance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£423,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£423,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Jul 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
4 Jun 20262 months ago
Contract Period
10 Jul 2026 - 10 Jul 2029 3-4 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
THE OPEN UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MILTON KEYNES
Postcode
MK7 6AA
Post Town
Milton Keynes
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ12 Milton Keynes
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Milton Keynes
Electoral Ward
Monkston
Westminster Constituency
Milton Keynes Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CAMECA

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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