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UKRI-5804 Microscopy Equipment Framework

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

03 Aug 2026 at 08:27

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

23 Jul 2026 at 15:48

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) intends to establish a framework for microscopy equipment and associated services. The requirement covers the supply of microscopes, together with repair and maintenance for medical and precision equipment. It is expected to support UKRI sites across the United Kingdom, including Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Didcot and Daresbury Laboratory in Warrington. The framework may appoint multiple suppliers across multiple lots, allowing for separate participation by equipment specialists, service providers or businesses able to offer both. This is a public-sector research and laboratory equipment requirement, relevant to manufacturers, distributors, integrators, calibration providers and specialist maintenance contractors serving scientific and precision-instrument users.

This procurement is at the planning stage: UKRI is seeking market input before finalising the framework structure and scope, and there is no invitation to tender yet. Suppliers are being asked to complete a pre-market questionnaire; completed questionnaires are expected by 10 August 2026. UKRI expects the next notice to be published on 18 September 2026. The anticipated procedure is a framework agreement with multiple lots and potentially multiple suppliers. The planned contract period is 5 November 2026 to 6 September 2030, for up to four years. The estimated total value is £9,000,000 excluding VAT, or £10,800,000 including VAT; the estimate is not guaranteed. The requirement is above the applicable threshold.

The requirement should suit small and medium-sized enterprises as well as larger microscopy and laboratory-equipment businesses. Suppliers are likely to be well placed if they can manufacture, distribute or integrate microscopes and related scientific equipment, provide installation or technical support, or deliver planned and reactive repair and maintenance for medical and precision instruments. Relevant preparation may include demonstrating access to reliable equipment supply chains, suitably qualified service engineers, calibration and testing capability, and experience supporting research, laboratory or other technically demanding environments. Businesses offering complementary equipment and aftercare services should consider contributing to the market questionnaire, particularly where their insight could shape the framework's lots, scope and supplier model before the procurement reaches the tender stage.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-5804 Microscopy Equipment Framework

Notice Description

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is looking to establish a contract for a period of up to four years for the supply and associated services of microscopy equipment for potentially multiple suppliers on multiple lots. This will be across all of our locations including Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Didcot and Daresbury Laboratory in Warrington. To support the development and shaping of this upcoming requirement, UKRI is seeking input from the market. Suppliers are therefore invited to complete a questionnaire to help inform the structure and scope of the future contract. If you are interested in participating, please email stfcprocurement@ukri.org with the subject line "UKRI-5804 Microscopy Equipment Questionnaire" to request a copy of the questionnaire. A copy will then be issued for completion. Completed questionnaires should be returned by 10th August 2026. The total for this requirement is PS9,000,000.00 excluding VAT however please be aware that this value is an estimate and not guaranteed.

Planning Information

We are inviting suppliers to complete a pre-market questionnaire to help inform and shape the structure of the framework.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d260
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072975-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

38510000 - Microscopes

50400000 - Repair and maintenance services of medical and precision equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£9,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Aug 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
18 Sep 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
5 Nov 2026 - 6 Sep 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Postcode Area
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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