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Door Locks, Keys and Closing Systems

University Of Edinburgh

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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22 Sep 2026 at 16:03

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Edinburgh is procuring door-locking and access-control components for its existing ASSA master key system. The requirement covers locks, cylinders, key blanks, associated door hardware and closing-system components used for routine maintenance and replacement, responsive repairs, new keys and cylinders, and minor changes to locking arrangements. The University’s locksmiths assemble locks and cut keys in-house, supporting security governance, rapid response and centralised key control. The system operates across an estate of more than 650 buildings, including operational and security-critical areas. This is a goods requirement for keys, locks and related components, delivered across the University’s estate in Edinburgh. The buyer is the University of Edinburgh, which intends to maintain one standardised locking platform rather than replace the existing system.

The procurement is complete and was awarded to Assa Abloy, with an active award linked to the single requirement. The University used a limited procedure without prior publication of a call for competition, relying on exclusive intellectual property and manufacturing rights for the restricted key profile and compatible components. The award date was 21 September 2026 and the contract was signed on 21 September 2026. The contract value is £2,058,970.25. The initial term is four years, with three optional two-year extensions, giving a maximum term of 10 years. Evaluation was not conducted through an open competition: the stated basis was that only Assa Abloy or its authorised channels could supply the restricted components required to preserve compatibility, continuity and security. The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement.

This requirement demonstrates sustained demand for proprietary master-key infrastructure across a large, complex estate. Suppliers would need to manufacture or lawfully distribute genuine ASSA restricted key blanks, cylinders, locks and compatible closing-system components, with the relevant patent, registered-design or exclusive-supply position. Credibility would depend on proven control of the restricted key profile and reliable authorised supply channels, rather than general locksmith capability alone. The buyer’s operating model also indicates value in suppliers that can support a public-sector locksmith team purchasing individual components for in-house assembly and key cutting, rather than supplying only finished installations. Relevant competitors should be able to support routine maintenance, urgent repairs, new access requirements, building changes and consistent security standards across more than 650 buildings, while maintaining dependable supply and compatibility over a long-term arrangement.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Door Locks, Keys and Closing Systems

Notice Description

The University of Edinburgh intends to award a contract to Assa Abloy for the supply of door lock, cylinder, key blank and closing system components required to support and maintain the University's ASSA master key system across an estate of 650+ buildings. The contract term will be up to 10 years, expiring in line with the current patent. The University operates a restricted key profile within its master key system for which ASSA holds patent and/or registered design protection and exclusive manufacturing/supply rights. The University will continue its established operating model of in-house lock assembly and key cutting delivered by University locksmiths for security governance, responsiveness and value for money. Replacing the system would cause significant disruption and cost.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The University of Edinburgh seeks to appoint Assa Abbloy to supply the full range of lock, cylinder, key blank and associated door hardware/closing system components required to operate, maintain and extend the University's existing ASSA master key system across a diverse estate of over 650 buildings. The requirement supports the University's ongoing day-to-day delivery of physical security and access control, including routine maintenance and replacement, responsive repairs, provisioning of new keys and cylinders, and minor alterations to locking arrangements arising from building moves, refurbishments and changes in access needs. A single standardised locking platform is essential to enable centralised key control, consistent security standards, efficient maintenance, and effective emergency response. The University's master key system utilises a restricted key profile and related restricted components for which ASSA holds patent and/or registered design protections and exclusive manufacturing and supply rights. ASSA has confirmed in writing that only ASSA and its authorised channels can manufacture and supply the genuine restricted key blanks/components for this system. While third parties may act as resellers, this does not create meaningful competition for the restricted items because the underlying manufacturer and pricing remain ASSA-controlled. The University also operates a distinctive service model whereby it purchases individual components from ASSA and undertakes lock assembly and key cutting in-house through a small team of University locksmiths. This approach supports security governance and rapid response, whilst also improving value for money compared with purchasing fully assembled products and cut keys externally. The proposed contract will be for up to 10 years (4+2+2+2). A change to an alternative locking system would necessitate widespread replacement of cylinders/locks throughout the estate, with significant disruption and costs.

Options: The initial contract period will be 4 years with 3 optional 2 year extension periods, taking the contract to a maximum of 10 years.

Procurement Information

The University's estate operates an established Assa Abloy master key system incorporating a restricted key profile. Assa Abloy holds the relevant patent and/or registered design protections and exclusive manufacturing and supply rights for the specific restricted key profile and associated restricted components used by the University. Accordingly, the compatible restricted key blanks, cylinders and associated proprietary components required to maintain, repair and extend the existing master key infrastructure can only be lawfully manufactured and supplied by Assa Abloy, or via authorised channels obtaining those restricted components from Assa Abloy. Transitioning to an alternative locking system would require widespread replacement and recommissioning of cylinders and locks across the estate, reconfiguration of master key arrangements and consequential access management changes across operational and security-critical areas. This would result in significant cost, operational disruption and increased security management risk during migration. A competitive procurement process would not provide effective competition for the restricted elements of the requirement, as any alternative supplier would still need to source the restricted components from the intellectual property rightsholder in order to maintain compatibility with the University's existing system. Accordingly, the University intends to award the contract without prior publication/competition to ASSA ABLOY on the basis that the protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights, means there is no reasonable alternative or substitute capable of providing the required restricted components while maintaining the integrity, continuity and security of the University's existing restricted master key arrangements.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0777e0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089797-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)

CPV Codes

44500000 - Tools, locks, keys, hinges, fasteners, chain and springs

44520000 - Locks, keys and hinges

44522000 - Clasps, lock parts and keys

44522200 - Keys

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£2,058,970 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University Of Edinburgh
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH1 1HT
Postcode Area
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM75 City of Edinburgh
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Assa Abloy

Further Information

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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