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APHA CapEx: Supply of Spectral Flow Cytometer Analyser

Animal and Plant Health Agency

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

04 Sep 2026 at 14:28

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

21 Aug 2026 at 10:06

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

14 Aug 2026 at 16:05

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Animal and Plant Health Agency is procuring a spectral flow cytometer analyser for its bovine immunology research programme and development of advanced multi-parameter assays. The required system is the BD FACSDiscover A8 Cell Analyser, supplied by Becton, Dickinson U.K. Ltd. It combines a five-laser spectral analyser with simultaneous imaging, advanced spectral unmixing and automated, high-throughput sample acquisition. This is a laboratory, optical and precision equipment requirement, covering the supply of a complete instrument rather than a general laboratory equipment framework. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs managed and awarded the contract on APHA’s behalf. The equipment is for delivery in the UK, in the South East England area.

The procurement is complete and was awarded by direct award under the Procurement Act 2023, using the technical-reasons basis for a single supplier. The stated justification is that this system uniquely combines simultaneous imaging, spectral flow cytometry, advanced spectral unmixing and high-throughput automated sampling, with no reasonable alternative identified. Becton, Dickinson U.K. Ltd was selected on 20 August 2026. The subsequent contract was signed on 3 September 2026 and is active. The contract value is £357,500 excluding VAT, or £429,000 including VAT. The contract runs from 7 September 2026 to 4 October 2027, with an optional 36-month extension to 4 October 2030. Evaluation was based on the direct-award technical justification rather than a competitive tender.

This requirement indicates demand for specialist flow-cytometry platforms used in public-sector animal-health research, particularly systems combining imaging and spectral analysis in one workflow. Suppliers seeking to compete when APHA next needs comparable equipment would need a technically credible platform with at least five-laser spectral analysis, simultaneous imaging, advanced spectral unmixing and automated high-throughput sample acquisition. The requirement also favours manufacturers or authorised suppliers able to provide a complete laboratory system, dependable installation and delivery, and ongoing technical support. Credibility would include demonstrated performance in high-parameter cellular analysis, evidence that the equipment can support complex immunology assays, and the capacity to meet delivery-on-time, quality, warranty and preventative or corrective maintenance expectations. Businesses offering only conventional flow cytometry or separate imaging equipment would be less closely aligned with this requirement.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

APHA CapEx: Supply of Spectral Flow Cytometer Analyser

Notice Description

APHA requires the supply of a Spectral Flow Cytometer (BD FACSDiscover(tm) A8 Cell Analyser by Becton Dickinson UK Ltd) comprising a 5-laser spectral analyser with simultaneous imaging, advanced spectral unmixing, and automated sampling.

Procurement Information

The proposed award is a Direct Award justified under Schedule 5, Condition 6(a) and (b) of the Procurement Act 2023: This equipment is the only identified system that combines simultaneous imaging and spectral flow cytometry, advanced spectral unmixing, and high-throughput automated sample acquisition in a single platform. These capabilities are essential to support APHA's bovine immunology research programme and the development of advanced multi-parameter assays. No reasonable alternative has been identified that provides this complete combination of capabilities required to meet APHA's scientific and operational needs. Procuring an alternative that does not offer this combination compromises data quality, research efficiency and confidence in scientific outputs

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e4fb
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083938-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

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
£443,568 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£357,500 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Aug 20262 months ago
Contract Period
7 Sep 2026 - 4 Oct 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active, Pending
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DF
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Becton Dickinson U.K. Limited

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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