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Instron accessories

Aston University

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

23 Sep 2026 at 16:22

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Aston University bought accessories for an Instron Universal Testing System used for tensile, compression and flexure testing. The accessories support teaching across different construction materials and testing methods, enabling civil engineering students to carry out independent tests on a wider range of samples rather than only observing demonstrations. The educational purpose is to build practical skills relevant to professional construction and engineering work. This is a goods procurement for testing and measuring equipment and accessories (CPV 38540000). The buyer is Aston University, based in Birmingham. The procurement description concerns use of the university’s existing testing system; the accessories are intended to support teaching activities.

The procurement is complete and was awarded to ITW Limited. Aston University used a direct award, described as below threshold and without competition. There was one lot. The contract was signed on 18 September 2026 and runs from 31 October 2026 to 31 October 2027. Its gross value is £178,464. The process is recorded as complete, while the contract is active. The award is active. The evaluation basis is not described in the available procurement information. The contract includes an agreed order accuracy and fulfilment rate metric. The purchase was supported by external research funding, and the contract covers accessories for the testing system used in teaching civil engineering students.

For suppliers of materials-testing equipment and compatible accessories, this award demonstrates Aston University’s demand for equipment that extends the teaching use of an existing universal testing system. A credible competitor when this requirement returns would need to supply accessories that support tensile, compression and flexure testing across construction materials and testing methods, and enable students to conduct tests independently. The requirement is focused on practical compatibility with the installed Instron system and the university’s teaching purposes, rather than supply of a complete testing system. The selected supplier was ITW Limited. The contract’s order accuracy and fulfilment measure also indicates that reliable order processing and delivery matter to the buyer. Suppliers with relevant product knowledge and the capacity to provide a broad accessory range for education and engineering applications are best placed to meet a similar requirement.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Instron accessories

Notice Description

Aston recently ordered a Universal Testing System for tensile, compression and flexure testing, secured through external research funding. The accessories required to support teaching across multiple construction materials and testing methodologies are currently unavailable. The funding available is to purchase a range of accessories to allow us to make full use of the machine in teaching activities. This purchase will unlock the educational use of the Universal Testing System for teaching civil engineering students and move students from observing demonstrations to undertaking independent testing of a wide variety of samples, developing skills directly applicable to professional construction and engineering practice.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0778f7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/090302-2026
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

38540000 - Machines and apparatus for testing and measuring

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£178,464 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Oct 2026 - 31 Oct 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

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

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B4 7ET
Postcode Area
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Nechells
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ITW 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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