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Maintenance of Chemagic Star / Starlet Machines

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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21 Oct 2026 at 11:50

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board commissioned maintenance, servicing and verification of its Chemagic STAR and STARlet robotic laboratory systems, including platforms used in genomic testing pathways. The equipment automates liquid handling, nucleic acid extraction and preparation for sequencing, helping laboratories process patient samples with less manual handling and supporting accuracy and turnaround times. The requirement covers the specialist Hamilton systems used in those pathways, rather than general laboratory equipment maintenance. The work is for the Health Board’s equipment in Cardiff and Vale, in Wales. It is a laboratory equipment maintenance and repair service, classified under CPV 50000000.

The procurement is complete and was awarded by direct award to Hamilton Sales & Service. The stated reason was that Hamilton is the original manufacturer and sole authorised maintenance provider for the Chemagic STAR, STARlet and NGS STAR platforms; the Health Board said no alternative could provide the required manufacturer-certified maintenance and support. The award date was not recorded. The award value is £454,227.19 excluding VAT (£545,072.59 including VAT). The contract period runs from 18 December 2026 to 31 December 2029. There is one lot, covering maintenance of the Chemagic STAR and STARlet machines. The procurement used a single-supplier technical-reasons justification; the stated evaluation basis was the supplier’s ability to meet the required manufacturer standard and mitigate operational, compliance and patient-safety risks.

For suppliers tracking this buyer’s laboratory maintenance demand, the award shows that manufacturer-authorised support is decisive for these Chemagic systems. A credible competitor for a future requirement of this kind would need demonstrable authority and technical capability to maintain, service, calibrate and verify the STAR, STARlet and NGS STAR platforms, alongside software support, validation and access to replacement parts. It would also need to evidence work to the original manufacturer’s standards and show how it would protect laboratory operation, compliance and patient safety. The work sits within genomic testing pathways, so relevant understanding of automated liquid handling, nucleic acid extraction and sequencing preparation would be important. The award went to the manufacturer’s service provider after a market assessment found no alternative capable of meeting those requirements.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Maintenance of Chemagic Star / Starlet Machines

Notice Description

Maintenance, servicing and verification of specialised Hamilton robotic laboratory systems (AWGMS). The equipment forms a critical part of genomic testing pathways, automating liquid handling, nucleic acid extraction and sequencing preparation processes. These systems improve throughput, reduce manual handling, improve testing accuracy and support reduced turnaround times for patient samples.

Procurement Information

Hamilton are the original manufacturer and sole authorised maintenance provider for the Chemagic STAR, STARlet and NGS STAR platforms. Market assessment and stakeholder engagement confirmed that no alternative provider can deliver the required OEM-certified maintenance, calibration, software support, validation services and replacement parts. Maintaining manufacturer support is essential to mitigate operational, compliance and patient safety risks. Market analysis undertaken prior to renewal confirmed that Hamilton remains the only supplier capable of delivering services to the required manufacturer standard.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078ca5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/099384-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

50000000 - Repair and maintenance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£454,227 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Oct 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
18 Dec 2026 - 31 Dec 2029 3-4 years
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
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF14 4HH
Postcode Area
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Heath
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Hamilton Sales and Service UK 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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