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Purchase of Class II Biosafety Cabinet

University Of Edinburgh

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

10 Aug 2026 at 13:47

Award Notice
TenderUpdate

25 Jun 2026 at 09:47

Tender Notice
Award

18 Jun 2026 at 16:22

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Edinburgh procured a bespoke sterile biosafety enclosure for the Edinburgh Genome Foundry, a research facility developing large numbers of genetic constructs and expanding its automated mammalian-cell handling platform. Although initially described as a Class II biosafety cabinet, the requirement was amended to a configurable enclosure for automated processing. The equipment needed to fit within a space with a maximum ceiling height of 2.5 metres, provide 100% fresh-air intake with no recirculation, and avoid contamination caused by heat, humidity and gas build-up. It also needed to operate without costly building modifications or ductwork and allow future adaptation as facility demand changes. Delivery and installation were for the University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh. The procurement was for laboratory and precision equipment.

The procurement has been awarded through a limited procedure without a published competition. The University recorded Erlab as the selected supplier after determining that it was the only supplier able to meet the technical, operational and financial requirements. One bid was received, from an SME, and it was submitted electronically. The stated evaluation basis was 100% technical quality, with price carrying no weighting. The contract value was £160,000. The contract was signed on 18 June 2026 and is recorded as active. The award and contract relate to the single requirement for the bespoke enclosure. The procurement record also shows the related lot as cancelled, while the award and contract remain active. The buyer is the University of Edinburgh.

This requirement demonstrates demand for highly specialised laboratory equipment supporting automated mammalian-cell processing and research-facility expansion. A credible future supplier would need to design and manufacture bespoke, sterile and highly configurable enclosures rather than supply a standard cabinet. The solution would need to integrate with automated cell-handling equipment, fit within height-constrained premises, and provide 100% fresh-air intake with zero air recirculation. Suppliers should also be able to avoid external ducting and major building alterations, work within a constrained budget, and provide equipment that can be modified as the facility develops. Relevant capability includes laboratory biosafety and contamination control, bespoke engineering, installation, and adaptation of systems for research environments. The outcome also indicates that the University values technical compliance and operational fit above price in this type of purchase.

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Notice Information

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

Following detailed technical engagement with the suppliers identified as potentially capable of meeting Edinburgh Genome Foundry's requirement, it was established that Erlab is the only supplier able to provide a compliant solution that satisfies all of the University's essential technical, operational and financial requirements. Erlab will provide a fully bespoke and highly configurable enclosure that can be adapted both to the current automated platform and to future expansion requirements. The proposed solution will fit into the limited space available, with an overall height of just under 2.5m, which it achieves by eliminating the need for top mounted air intakes or exhaust systems. This reduces the need for costly building modifications or ductwork installation. The system has 0% air recirculation, drawing air from surrounding environment and exhausts filtered air directly into the room, which reduces the need for external ducting. 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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b871
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075750-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender 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
10 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
18 Jun 20262 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

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
Postcode Area
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

Further Information

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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