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CSP26830 - Paragraf Gold Graphene 300nm Cryo-EM Grids

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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11 Sep 2026 at 09:36

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research and Innovation bought Paragraf Gold + Graphene 300nm Cryo-EM Grids, a specialised laboratory and precision-equipment product used for cryogenic electron microscopy. The requirement covers one lot and is for the supply of the specified graphene grids rather than a broader laboratory equipment service. UK Shared Business Services Ltd managed the procurement on behalf of the buyer. Delivery is in the United Kingdom. The product’s specific construction and technical characteristics are central to the requirement, including the Paragraf Gold and graphene design and 300nm specification. This is a niche scientific supply opportunity for manufacturers, specialist distributors and suppliers able to provide technically defined cryo-EM consumables for UK research activity.

The procurement is complete and was awarded on 8 September 2026 to Paragraf Ltd. The contract was signed on the same date and runs from 8 September to 8 December 2026. Its value is £16,679 excluding VAT, or £20,014.80 including VAT. It was a below-threshold direct award without competition, using the absence of competition for technical reasons as the basis: the buyer considered that only a particular supplier could supply the goods. The procurement was evaluated through this technical exclusivity rationale rather than a competitive tender. The contract is active and concerns the single completed lot for the specified cryo-EM grids.

Although this contract has already been awarded, it demonstrates demand from UK Research and Innovation for highly specialised cryo-EM grid supplies at research-institution scale. A future competitor would need to offer the exact or technically compatible graphene grid specification, including the 300nm format and the required Paragraf Gold construction, while showing that its products meet the buyer’s scientific and microscopy requirements. Credibility would depend on specialist manufacturing or distribution capability, reliable supply of precision laboratory consumables and the ability to support delivery in the United Kingdom. The direct award rationale also indicates that technical distinctiveness, product compatibility and evidence of a genuinely differentiated supply capability are likely to matter more than general laboratory-equipment capacity.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

CSP26830 - Paragraf Gold Graphene 300nm Cryo-EM Grids

Notice Description

Procurement Description ***** THIS IS A CONTRACT DETAILS NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded without competition due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods. Brief Description of Requirement Paragraf Gold + Graphene 300nm Cryo-EM Grids

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f79f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086220-2026
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
Below threshold - without competition
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
Not specified
Contracts Value
£16,679 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Sep 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
8 Sep 2026 - 8 Dec 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION
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
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Paragraf Ltd

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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