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Provision of Ultra-High Resolution Mass Spectrometer

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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15 Oct 2026 at 17:03

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Atomic Energy Authority procured an Evolution 2 ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometer and inlet system, with three connections for samples, calibration and spare use. The supply also includes associated equipment such as pumps, software, installation with a site acceptance test procedure, and staff training. This is a specialist scientific instrument purchase, with related installation and training services. Delivery is to the United Kingdom; the buyer is the UK Atomic Energy Authority, based at Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire. The requirement was treated as a single lot and was considered suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. The equipment is intended to meet the Authority’s technical requirements for high-resolution mass spectrometry.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded to NU Instruments Limited. The award is recorded as pending, and the planned contract period runs from 2 November 2026 to 31 October 2027. The award date was 15 October 2026. The awarded value is £998,000 excluding VAT (£1,197,600 including VAT). The Authority used a direct award, relying on the stated absence of competition for technical reasons: it considered NU Instruments the only supplier able to meet the technical requirements, found no reasonable alternative or substitute following market engagement and options appraisal, and said the lack of competition did not result from artificially narrowing the requirement. The procurement comprised one lot; the recorded evaluation basis was the technical justification for the direct award.

For suppliers considering comparable future requirements from the UK Atomic Energy Authority, this award demonstrates demand for a complete, high-specification mass spectrometry installation rather than an instrument alone. A credible competitor would need to supply an ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometer with a suitable multi-connection inlet, pumps and associated equipment, and provide compatible software, installation, site acceptance testing and staff training. The stated rationale indicates that technical fit and the absence of a viable substitute were decisive: suppliers would need to demonstrate that their system meets the Authority’s detailed technical requirements and offers a genuine alternative to the selected instrument. The single-lot approach points to a requirement suited to a supplier able to deliver the integrated package. The Authority’s stated SME suitability suggests smaller specialist suppliers may be relevant if they can meet that full scope.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Ultra-High Resolution Mass Spectrometer

Notice Description

This scope of work is for the provision of: * Ultra High resolution mass spectrometer and inlet system with three connections (sample /calibration / spare) * Associated equipment, including pumps * Software * Installation, including SAT procedure * Training of staff

Procurement Information

The award is justified under Schedule 5, paragraph 5 of PA23 (absence of competition for technical reasons) because: (a) only Nu Instruments Ltd can supply the instrument in accordance to the technical requirements (b) there is no reasonable alternative or substitute, as per market engagement and optioneering exercises and (c) the absence of competition is not the result of any artificial narrowing of the requirement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0788ed
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/097661-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency 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

38433100 - Mass spectrometer

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£998,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Nov 2026 - 31 Oct 2027 6-12 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
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
OXFORDSHIRE
Postcode
OX14 3DB
Postcode Area
Oxford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
South Oxfordshire
Electoral Ward
Sandford & the Wittenhams
Westminster Constituency
Didcot and Wantage

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Nu Instruments 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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