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UKRI-6277 Fast HDX System

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

14 Oct 2026 at 10:59

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

14 Oct 2026 at 10:55

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) is procuring a millisecond-time-resolved hydrogen–deuterium exchange (HDX) labelling system for the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology. The supply includes delivery and installation of the equipment. The system is intended to support multi-omics research across proteomics, lipidomics and metabolomics. Its analytical apparatus enables rapid mixing and controlled labelling at millisecond timepoints, with temperature-controlled quenching and transfer to liquid chromatography digestion columns. The equipment is to be delivered in the United Kingdom. This is a specialist laboratory equipment requirement rather than a general supply of analytical instruments: the stated research use depends on rapid, precise sample labelling and protection against back-exchange or sample loss.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded by direct award to Nicoya Lifesciences Inc. The award is recorded as pending. The award date was 28 September 2026, and the stated contract period runs from 28 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. The award value is £282,531 excluding VAT and £339,037.20 including VAT. The requirement was treated as one lot. UKRI justified the direct award on the basis that the FastHDX platform’s patented flow and delay-loop architecture, back-exchange mitigation and quench control meet the required technical specification, and that no other commercially available system does so. Evaluation therefore centred on the unique technical capability needed for MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology’s research objectives.

For suppliers considering this buyer’s future requirement, the award indicates demand for a complete, specialist HDX labelling platform, including delivery and installation, capable of supporting multi-omics research. A credible competitor would need to demonstrate millisecond-scale labelling, rapid and controlled mixing, software-controlled flow rates and flexible delay-loop operation. It would also need reliable temperature control during quenching, rapid sample transfer into LC digestion columns, and effective prevention of back-exchange and sample loss. UKRI’s stated justification focused on patented technical features and the absence of another commercially available system meeting its specification, so comparable performance claims alone may not be enough: suppliers would need to evidence how their technology meets the laboratory’s precise operational and research requirements. The procurement was a single-supplier direct award, showing the importance of distinctive, demonstrable capability for this equipment need.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-6277 Fast HDX System

Notice Description

UKRI have selected a supplier to provide a millisecond-time-resolved HDX labelling system, including delivery and installation of the equipment.

Procurement Information

To meet the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology's (LMB) multi-omics research objectives across proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics, the FastHDX platform incorporates several crucial, patented technologies: * Patented Flow & Delay-Loop Architecture: Rapid-mixing and multi-volume delay-loop switching system. Enables sub-second labelling down to millisecond timepoints while maintaining precise, software-controlled flow rates. * Back-Exchange Mitigation & Quench Control: Proprietary fluidic circuit with strict temperature control throughout the quench zone. Utilizes rapid online valve switching to transition sample directly into LC digestion columns without sample loss or back-exchange degradation. No other commercially available system meets the required technical specification to allow MRC LMB to meet their research objectives.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078738
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/096870-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

38432000 - Analysis apparatus

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£282,531 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 Sep 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
28 Oct 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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, WILTSHIRE
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

Nicoya Lifesciences Inc

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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