This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

18 Jun 2026 at 15:22

Summary of the contracting process

The University of Edinburgh has concluded a procurement process for the purchase of a bespoke Class II Biosafety Cabinet, tailored for its Edinburgh Genome Foundry. The procurement, classified under the Laboratory, Optical, and Precision Equipment category, has been awarded to Erlab. Located in Edinburgh (UKM75), the procurement was conducted under a limited procedure without prior publication due to technical reasons. The award was finalised on 18th June 2026, with the contract valued at £160,000 GBP, demonstrating the university's need for specialised equipment to expand their research capabilities without major alterations to their facilities.

This tender offers a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in cutting-edge laboratory equipment, particularly those that can deliver bespoke solutions within constrained budgets and spatial parameters. Companies in the manufacturing of laboratory and scientific equipment, especially those with capabilities in customisation and precision engineering, would find such procurements beneficial for establishing a foothold within high-value educational and research institutions. Furthermore, it underscores the importance for SMEs like Erlab, the awarded supplier, to be able to meet specialised requirements, highlighting lucrative possibilities for other businesses striving to leverage their unique offerings into similar contracts in the public sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Purchase of Class II Biosafety Cabinet

Notice Description

Procurement of a bespoke and sterile Biosafety cabinet. University of Edinburgh believes Erlab is the only supplier capable of meeting the University's specialist requirement

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Edinburgh Genome Foundry (EGF) is a unique facility specialising in the generation of large numbers of genetic constructs to equip cells with new or improved functionality. Currently, the facility is undergoing major expansion to incorporate a fully automated, fully-enclosed platform for the automated handling of mammalian cells. As part of this research the University is looking to procure a bespoke, adaptable and sterile biosafety cabinet which needs to fit into a height restricted space (2.5m maximum ceiling height). 100% fresh air intake solution with no re-circulation is required in the room to prevent heat, humidity and gas build-up inside the cabinet in order to prevent contamination. The University also has a limited budget and requires the cabinet to be installed without any costly building modifications such as ducting and the ability to be modified in the future in response to changing facility demand. The University intends to award the contract to Erlab who are able to fully meet the University's specification and budget.

Procurement Information

From a comprehensive market analysis the University of Edinburgh thinks that there is a lack of competition due to technical reasons as specified in the notice.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b871
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057743-2026
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
£160,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Jun 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
17 Jun 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

ERLAB

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06b871-2026-06-18T16:22:08+01:00",
    "date": "2026-06-18T16:22:08+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06b871",
    "description": "NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=835055. (SC Ref:835055)",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "NCA21411",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "Purchase of Class II Biosafety Cabinet",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "38000000",
            "description": "Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
        "description": "Procurement of a bespoke and sterile Biosafety cabinet. University of Edinburgh believes Erlab is the only supplier capable of meeting the University's specialist requirement",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "The Edinburgh Genome Foundry (EGF) is a unique facility specialising in the generation of large numbers of genetic constructs to equip cells with new or improved functionality. Currently, the facility is undergoing major expansion to incorporate a fully automated, fully-enclosed platform for the automated handling of mammalian cells. As part of this research the University is looking to procure a bespoke, adaptable and sterile biosafety cabinet which needs to fit into a height restricted space (2.5m maximum ceiling height). 100% fresh air intake solution with no re-circulation is required in the room to prevent heat, humidity and gas build-up inside the cabinet in order to prevent contamination. The University also has a limited budget and requires the cabinet to be installed without any costly building modifications such as ducting and the ability to be modified in the future in response to changing facility demand. The University intends to award the contract to Erlab who are able to fully meet the University's specification and budget.",
                "hasOptions": false
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "38000000",
                        "description": "Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKM75"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryLocation": {
                    "description": "University of Edinburgh"
                },
                "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": "From a comprehensive market analysis the University of Edinburgh thinks that there is a lack of competition due to technical reasons as specified in the notice."
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "057743-2026-NCA21411-1",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-FTS-183494",
                    "name": "Erlab"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "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": {
                "name": "Lana Elder",
                "telephone": "+44 1316502759",
                "email": "lelder2@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-183494",
            "name": "Erlab",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Erlab"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Voie du futur, Parc d'affaire des portes",
                "locality": "Val-de-Reuil",
                "region": "FRD21",
                "postalCode": "27100",
                "countryName": "France"
            },
            "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": "057743-2026-NCA21411-1",
            "awardID": "057743-2026-NCA21411-1",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 160000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2026-06-18T00:00:00+01:00"
        }
    ],
    "links": [
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000835055"
        }
    ],
    "language": "en"
}