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LUV01495 Procurement of Quad Systems C4 NMR Spectrometer and associated peripherals

University of Leicester

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

14 Sep 2026 at 16:01

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

28 Aug 2026 at 14:16

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Leicester is buying a highly specialised C4 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer and associated peripherals for its Department of Molecular and Cell Biology. The equipment will support research into the dynamics and structure of molecules, including nucleic acid–protein, protein–protein and small-molecule–protein interactions. The integrated system includes high-sensitivity non-cryogenic NMR probeheads, probeheads with built-in LED systems for photo-CIDNP applications, and dual-tune capabilities for hydrogen-1 and fluorine-19 observation. Hardware, software and application support form part of the integrated platform. The equipment is for installation and use at the University of Leicester in Leicester. The procurement is for goods, classified under CPV 38433000 for spectrometers.

The procurement is complete and was awarded on 14 September 2026 following a direct award to Quad Systems AG under a single-source route for technical reasons. The awarded value is £990,000 gross, including VAT, and is above the relevant threshold. The award covers one lot. The contract period is from 1 October 2026 to 2 August 2027, with signature scheduled by 28 September 2026. The University selected the supplier because the required combination of non-cryogenic probe sensitivity of at least 400:1 signal-to-noise, pulse-sequence-triggered integrated LEDs, dual-tune hydrogen-1/fluorine-19 probes, and integrated hardware, software and application support is protected by patents and available exclusively from Quad Systems AG. The award is active.

This requirement indicates demand from university research laboratories for advanced NMR systems rather than general laboratory equipment. A credible competitor for a future requirement from the University would need to supply and support a complete integrated spectrometer platform, with specialist expertise in biological and biophysical NMR applications. Relevant capability would include non-cryogenic probeheads delivering sensitivity of at least 400:1 signal-to-noise under physiological ionic-strength conditions; probeheads with LEDs across multiple wavelengths for photo-CIDNP experiments and pulse-sequence triggering; and direct or indirect probes supporting hydrogen-1 and fluorine-19 observation. Suppliers would also need to demonstrate proprietary or protected technology, dependable installation and application support, and the capacity to deliver a highly specialised research instrument for molecular-interaction studies. The selected supplier was an SME based in Switzerland.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

LUV01495 Procurement of Quad Systems C4 NMR Spectrometer and associated peripherals

Notice Description

The University of Leicester, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, is expanding its capabilities to study the dynamics and structure of molecules using NMR spectroscopy. To support this, funding has been secured from the BBSRC to procure a highly specialised instrument: the Quad Systems C4 NMR spectrometer and associated peripherals. This instrument integrates cutting-edge technology into a single coherent system. The Quad Systems C4 NMR spectrometer will be installed at the University to support its research activities, particularly in areas involving nucleic acid-protein, protein-protein, and small-molecule-protein interactions. It includes a range of probeheads optimised for maximum sensitivity in biologically relevant solvent systems and integrated LED systems with a range of wavelengths (280, 390, 460, 490, 530 and 600nm) for photo-CIDNP applications. This comprises a fully integrated system which is required to maintain the scientific edge of our ongoing biophysical and molecular research.

Procurement Information

This procurement is being undertaken via a single-source route due to the unique technical capabilities of the Quad Systems C4 NMR spectrometer and associated peripherals (e.g., NMR probes), and the exclusive rights held by its manufacturer, Quad Systems AG. The unique elements are: *Bioprobes: non-cryogenic NMR probeheads with sensitivity greater than or equal to 400:1 S/N (standard sucrose sample at 150 mM ionic strength). The funded research programme requires high-sensitivity measurements of protein-nucleic acid interactions under physiological ionic-strength conditions. Equivalent sensitivity cannot be achieved using alternative commercially available non-cryogenic probe technologies. *Probes with integrated LEDs at a range of frequencies, which can be triggered by the pulse sequence generated by the NMR console, for photo-CIDNP applications. *All indirect probes have dual-tune channels enabling 1H and 19F observation, and all direct probes allow 1H-{19F}, 19F-{1H}, and 19F-X observation. These capabilities are protected by patents and are only available from Quad Systems AG (e.g., EP4341716A1, EP4291912A1 and EP3655790B1). The University has conducted a review of the current NMR market and is not aware of any commercially available alternative system capable of delivering all required features within a single integrated platform. No other commercially available instrument can provide this sensitivity with non-cryogenically cooled probeheads or incorporate LEDs directly into the probehead for streamlined data acquisition. Whilst certain individual capabilities may be available separately, the University has not identified any alternative supplier capable of providing the required combination of: *non-cryogenic probe sensitivity of at least 400:1 S/N; *integrated photo-CIDNP LED functionality within probeheads compatible with pulse-sequence triggering; *dual-tune 1H/19F indirect probe capability; and *fully integrated hardware, software and application support, within a single commercially available platform. These capabilities are protected by patents and are available exclusively from Quad Systems AG. While alternative NMR platforms exist, they do not provide the required combination of performance, integration and functionality necessary to support the University's funded research programme. Consequently, competition is absent for technical reasons, and the contract may only be performed by Quad Systems AG.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ee9f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087012-2026
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
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

38433000 - Spectrometers

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£990,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Sep 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
14 Sep 20262 days ago
Contract Period
1 Oct 2026 - 2 Aug 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University of Leicester
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LEICESTER
Postcode
LE1 7RH
Postcode Area
Leicester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF21 Leicester
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Leicester
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Leicester South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Quad Systems AG

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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