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High Value Laboratory Equipment

North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

02 Oct 2026 at 14:03

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium (NWUPC) is planning a framework for high-value laboratory equipment and related services for universities. The proposed scope covers magnetic resonance systems; X-ray, imaging, elemental and micro-analysis equipment and microscopes; spectroscopy; mechanical, thermal and physical testing equipment; and lasers. Associated equipment, accessories, consumables, maintenance and servicing are included across the proposed categories. Deliveries are intended for locations across the United Kingdom. This is a broad range of specialist scientific instruments, spanning supply and ongoing equipment support, rather than a single product line. The proposed five-lot structure is still under development and may change before the tender is published.

The process is at preliminary market engagement: NWUPC is gathering supplier input to shape its strategy and tender documents, not inviting bids. The buyer plans to retender its existing high-value laboratory equipment framework, which is due to expire on 31 July 2027. It expects to publish the future tender on 24 February 2027. The proposed framework is planned to run from 1 August 2027 to 31 July 2029, with possible extension to 31 July 2031. Its estimated value is £150 million excluding VAT (£180 million including VAT). The buyer proposes five lots covering the equipment groups described above, but has not finalised this structure. Suppliers were invited to respond to a market survey by 18 October 2026 and attend a Q&A session on 26 October 2026.

The work is likely to suit manufacturers, distributors and specialist service providers in laboratory and scientific instrumentation. Suppliers may focus on magnetic resonance, X-ray and imaging, analytical equipment and microscopy, spectroscopy, physical testing, or lasers; the proposed lot structure could let firms concentrate on relevant product areas. Businesses able to supply associated equipment, accessories and consumables, and provide maintenance and servicing, are also within scope. The buyer has marked the procurement as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, so specialist suppliers of this scale may be relevant. At this planning stage, participation is through market engagement to help shape the forthcoming procurement, rather than a bid for the framework. No specific technical qualifications, accreditations or experience thresholds are set out in the published planning details.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

High Value Laboratory Equipment

Notice Description

NWUPC is undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform the development of the strategy and tender documentation for the retender of the High Value Laboratory Equipment framework which is due to expire on 31st July 2027. The forthcoming 2027 framework agreement includes the following proposed lot structure, though please note this is not yet finalised and is subject to change before tender publication: Lot 1 : Magnetic Resonance Equipment including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. Lot 2: X-Ray, Imaging, Elemental & Micro Analysis Equipment and Microscopy Instruments including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. Lot 3: Spectroscopy Equipment including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. Lot 4: Mechanical, Thermal and Physical Testing Equipment including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. Lot 5: Laser Equipment including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. NWUPC are seeking the input of the market through the use of an engagement survey which is available at the following link: https://fyczm.share-eu1.hsforms.com/2AI4cXKSlStie7hVZLz9Jow The survey will close on 18th October 2026 at 23:59pm. Prior to completing the survey, please read the supporting information on the current sector agreement for High Value Laboratory Equipment available at: https://www.nwupc.ac.uk/nwupc-updates/preliminary-market-engagement-opportunity-high-value-laboratory-equipment-tender/ Additionally, a market engagement Q&A Drop-In Session shall be held on 26th October 2026 at 10am via Microsoft Teams; joining information is below: Microsoft Teams meeting Join here: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3912949596682931?p=utoKfaKoRuvvYYr4PT Meeting ID: 391 294 959 668 293 1 / Passcode: r3yC38uJ

Planning Information

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=109683&TID=100114723&B= NWUPC is undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform the development of the strategy and tender documentation for the retender of the High Value Laboratory Equipment framework which is due to expire on 31st July 2027. The forthcoming 2027 framework agreement includes the following proposed lot structure, though please note this is not yet finalised and is subject to change before tender publication: Lot 1 : Magnetic Resonance Equipment including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. Lot 2: X-Ray, Imaging, Elemental & Micro Analysis Equipment and Microscopy Instruments including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. Lot 3: Spectroscopy Equipment including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. Lot 4: Mechanical, Thermal and Physical Testing Equipment including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. Lot 5: Laser Equipment including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. NWUPC are seeking the input of the market through the use of an engagement survey which is available at the following link: https://fyczm.share-eu1.hsforms.com/2AI4cXKSlStie7hVZLz9Jow The survey will close on 18th October 2026 at 23:59pm. Prior to completing the survey, please read the supporting information on the current sector agreement for High Value Laboratory Equipment available at: https://www.nwupc.ac.uk/nwupc-updates/preliminary-market-engagement-opportunity-high-value-laboratory-equipment-tender/ Additionally, a market engagement Q&A Drop-In Session shall be held on 26th October 2026 at 10am via Microsoft Teams; joining information is below: Microsoft Teams meeting Join here: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3912949596682931?p=utoKfaKoRuvvYYr4PT Meeting ID: 391 294 959 668 293 1 / Passcode: r3yC38uJ

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077fcd
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/093381-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

18 - Clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

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

CPV Codes

18142000 - Safety visors

33111400 - X-ray fluoroscopy devices

33113000 - Magnetic resonance imaging equipment

33114000 - Spectroscopy devices

33115000 - Tomography devices

33128000 - Medical laser other than for surgery

33735100 - Protective goggles

35113400 - Protective and safety clothing

38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

38400000 - Instruments for checking physical characteristics

38425000 - Fluid mechanics equipment

38433000 - Spectrometers

38434510 - Cytometers

38500000 - Checking and testing apparatus

38510000 - Microscopes

38511000 - Electron microscopes

38511100 - Scanning electron microscopes

38511200 - Transmission electron microscope

38514200 - Scanning probe microscopes

38530000 - Diffraction apparatus

38540000 - Machines and apparatus for testing and measuring

38636100 - Lasers

38636110 - Industrial lasers

38900000 - Miscellaneous evaluation or testing instruments

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£150,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Oct 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
24 Feb 20275 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Aug 2027 - 31 Jul 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SALFORD
Postcode
M6 6FP
Postcode Area
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD34 Greater Manchester South West
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Salford
Electoral Ward
Pendleton & Charlestown
Westminster Constituency
Salford

Further Information

Notice Documents

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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