Award

NanoSims Annual Service Contract

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

04 Jun 2026 at 12:28

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Open University, a sub-central government public authority in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, has completed a direct award procurement process titled "NanoSims Annual Service Contract" in the services industry category. This process involves renewing the annual service contract for the NanoSIMS 50 instrument, with the supplier being Cameca, located in France. The contract period is set to commence on 5th July 2026 and conclude on 4th July 2029. The total gross contract value is €507,600. The procurement follows a rationale of technical necessity due to the absence of alternative suppliers capable of meeting the required service standards, as outlined in the legislation under UKPGA 2023/54. The procurement method ensures the specific technical support necessary for maintaining the NanoSIMS instrument's operation, with the award currently in the pending status and a future signature date scheduled for 4th July 2026.

This tender presents significant business opportunities, especially for large-scale service providers with expertise in complex scientific instrumentation. Companies specialising in maintenance and repair services for high-precision and sensitive equipment may find this contract highly suitable. The award of such contracts can facilitate growth in the specialised service sector, establishing or enhancing a firm's reputation within public sector procurement. While Cameca has been selected due to its unique capabilities in servicing the NanoSIMS instrument, similar businesses may consider exploring partnerships or subcontracting opportunities, aligning their offerings with specific technical needs of public authorities 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/052802-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency 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
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Jun 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
4 Jun 2026Today
Contract Period
4 Jul 2026 - 4 Jul 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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)

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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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