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SEC-MALS and DSC

Aston University

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

24 Sep 2026 at 16:56

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Aston University bought two items of capital research equipment for the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence in Birmingham: a TA Instruments Discovery DSC 2500 differential scanning calorimeter and an integrated Waters SEC-MALS system. The package includes delivery, installation, commissioning and initial user training, with dedicated manufacturer PCs and control and analysis software for both systems. The calorimeter supports thermal characterisation of polymers, biomaterials, pharmaceuticals and other advanced materials. The SEC-MALS system combines size-exclusion chromatography, multi-angle light scattering and refractive-index detection to separate and analyse the molecular weight, size and distribution of macromolecules, proteins, polymers and nanoparticles. This is specialist laboratory research equipment supply and installation, rather than a general laboratory equipment requirement.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded to Waters Limited. The contract was signed on 18 September 2026, with an awarded value of £270,718.61. Aston University made a direct call-off from the SUPC/APUC framework, without publishing a separate call for competition; the framework itself had been established through an open procedure. The award covers one lot for both instruments. Price was the stated award criterion. The procurement rationale says Waters was an awarded framework supplier capable of meeting the full technical specification, and that the quoted price was within the approved Eveson Trust grant budget. The lot also allowed an option to extend the service warranty by two years. The contract is recorded as active.

For suppliers preparing for a similar requirement from Aston University, the award indicates demand for an integrated package of high-specification research instruments, rather than equipment alone. A credible competitor would need to supply both differential scanning calorimetry and SEC-MALS capability, including the associated chromatography, light-scattering and refractive-index components, as well as manufacturer PCs and compatible control and analysis software. The scope also favours suppliers able to manage delivery, installation, commissioning and initial user training, and to support a possible extended service warranty. The selected supplier was already on the relevant university purchasing framework and was assessed as able to meet the full technical specification, so framework access and demonstrable technical compatibility are important to competing for this buyer's comparable equipment requirement. The equipment serves advanced materials and biomolecular research.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

SEC-MALS and DSC

Notice Description

This procurement is for the purchase, delivery, installation, commissioning and initial user training of two items of capital research equipment for the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME): a TA Instruments Discovery DSC 2500 differential scanning calorimeter and an integrated Waters SEC-MALS system comprising size-exclusion chromatography, multi-angle light-scattering and refractive-index detection. Both systems will be supplied with dedicated manufacturer PCs and the required control and analysis software. The DSC will support the thermal characterisation of polymers, biomaterials, pharmaceuticals and other advanced materials. The SEC-MALS system will enable the separation and absolute molecular-weight, size and distribution analysis of macromolecules, proteins, polymers and nanoparticles.

Lot Information

Lot 1

This procurement is for the purchase, delivery, installation, commissioning and initial user training of two items of capital research equipment for the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME): a TA Instruments Discovery DSC 2500 differential scanning calorimeter and an integrated Waters SEC-MALS system comprising size-exclusion chromatography, multi-angle light-scattering and refractive-index detection. Both systems will be supplied with dedicated manufacturer PCs and the required control and analysis software. The DSC will support the thermal characterisation of polymers, biomaterials, pharmaceuticals and other advanced materials. The SEC-MALS system will enable the separation and absolute molecular-weight, size and distribution analysis of macromolecules, proteins, polymers and nanoparticles.

Options: 2 years extension option for possible service warranty

Procurement Information

This contract was awarded as a direct call-off under SUPC/APUC Framework Agreement (Lot LAB 1029 AP), established under PCR 2015 via Open Procedure (OJEU ref. 697480). Waters Limited is an awarded supplier on the framework-who is capable of meeting the full technical specification for the SEC-MALS and DSC 2500 instruments. The consolidated quotation (ref. 24559100) totals PS270,718.61 excluding VAT, within the approved Eveson Trust grant budget (job code 61354). Supported by PSD & Award Report, project reference 1316.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0779ed
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/090744-2026
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

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
£270,718 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Sep 20261 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
Cancelled
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

Waters Ltd

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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