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APHA CapEx: Supply of Spectral Flow Cytometer Analyser

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH AGENCY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

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 (APHA) is buying a spectral flow cytometer analyser for its bovine immunology research programme and advanced multi-parameter assay development. The equipment is a BD FACSDiscover A8 Cell Analyser supplied by Becton, Dickinson U.K. Ltd. It combines five-laser spectral analysis, simultaneous imaging, advanced spectral unmixing and automated, high-throughput sample acquisition. This is specialist laboratory, optical and precision equipment, rather than a general laboratory supply. The equipment is to be delivered in the United Kingdom. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs managed the procurement and is responsible for drafting and awarding the contract on APHA’s behalf. The requirement covers one complete system and is classified under CPV 38000000.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded through a direct award to Becton, Dickinson U.K. Ltd. The award was made on 20 August 2026. Its value is £443,568.80 excluding VAT, or £532,282.56 including VAT. The contract period is from 7 September 2026 to 4 October 2027, with an optional three-year extension allowing the maximum end date to reach 4 October 2030. Contract signature was scheduled for 3 September 2026, following a standstill period ending on 2 September 2026. There was one lot. APHA justified the direct award on technical grounds, stating that no reasonable alternative combined simultaneous imaging, spectral flow cytometry, advanced spectral unmixing and high-throughput automated sample acquisition in one platform.

This award indicates demand from APHA for high-end flow cytometry equipment supporting bovine immunology research and complex multi-parameter assay development. Suppliers seeking to compete for a future requirement of this type would need to provide, or partner to provide, a five-laser spectral analyser with simultaneous imaging, advanced spectral unmixing and automated high-throughput sample handling in one integrated platform. Credible competitors would need strong technical evidence that their system delivers the required combination without compromising data quality, research efficiency or confidence in scientific outputs. Relevant capability is therefore centred on specialist laboratory instrumentation, application support and reliable delivery of complex scientific equipment, rather than routine laboratory supplies. The incumbent is a large specialist manufacturer or distributor, so comparable technical depth and implementation capacity would be important.

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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/079767-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award 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
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Aug 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
14 Aug 20261 weeks 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
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

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. Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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