Award

Liquid Handling Systems

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

23 Feb 2026 at 00:00

OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Edinburgh has completed the procurement process for acquiring liquid handling systems, specifically targeting the needs of the Institute of Genetics and Cancer. The procurement, classified under the Education category with a focus on genetics and cancer research, is situated in Edinburgh (UKM75). This award stage contract, valued at £399,263.03, commenced following signing on the 19th of February 2026. The procurement method adopted was limited, without prior publication of a call for competition, justified by the necessity of acquiring specific equipment compatible with existing systems to ensure operational continuity and mitigate technological obsolescence.

This tender presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in the provision of advanced scientific equipment, especially those capable of delivering high-quality, technically demanding solutions. With Beckman Coulter United Kingdom Limited successfully awarded the contract, other large-scale suppliers with expertise in automation platform technologies might find similar prospects advantageous. Although open competitive bidding wasn't involved, suppliers focusing on innovation and integration in medical and research domains may well-position themselves for future similar procurements, by offering solutions that meet stringent technical, spatial, and operational requirements. This case showcases the potential for growth by aligning product offerings with sector-specific needs, fostering partnerships with educational and research institutions requiring specialised equipment.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Liquid Handling Systems

Notice Description

The Institute of Genetics and Cancer (IGC) has approved capital funding for the procurement of two liquid handling automation platforms to support the Genetics Core and the Centre for Cancer Research.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Institute of Genetics and Cancer (IGC) has approved capital funding for the procurement of two liquid handling automation platforms to support the Genetics Core and the Centre for Cancer Research.

Procurement Information

The Genetics Core has been awarded funding to replace the current equipment with a platform that can run the same workflows and, due to increased work, expand the offering of workflows that can be automated. It is critical that the new system can run on the same platforms. The automation platform is central to the many workflows offered by the Genetics Core, supporting genomics analysis. The Centre for Cancer Research has been awarded funding to replace the current equipment that is over 20 years old and is now obsolete, with service and support available only until December 2028. Funding has been approved to replace this system. Implementing the new system will enable the facility to continue running existing workflows while facilitating a smooth transition of processes onto the new unit, minimising disruption to research and avoiding variability in existing data. Following a technical evaluation, the selected unit was the only one identified as the solution that meets the facility's technical, spatial and operational requirements.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000824426
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB550131
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F3 - Contract 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
£399,263 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
19 Feb 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH1 1HT
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM75 City of Edinburgh
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BECKMAN COULTER UNITED KINGDOM

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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