Award

Purchase of a Materials Tester

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

10 Apr 2026 at 00:00

OJEU - F15 - Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Edinburgh has completed a procurement process for the purchase of a triaxial materials load tester, with the contract awarded to GDS Instruments. The procurement was carried out under a limited procedure, a method chosen due to the unique technical requirements and limited availability of suitable suppliers, as determined by a comprehensive market analysis. This tender falls under the Education category and is located in Edinburgh, with the main focus on the goods category according to the procurement standards. The contract, valued at £63,711, was signed on 10th April 2026. It was conducted without prior publication of a call for competition due to technical reasons, thereby facilitating a direct award to the capable supplier.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in advanced testing instruments, particularly those capable of delivering bespoke high-precision equipment. The procurement highlights the importance of robust technological capabilities, especially in terms of measurement accuracy and software integration, areas where innovative companies can excel. Businesses providing solutions that address such precise technical requirements and are involved in pioneering research projects in the education sector might find this tender indicative of potential future collaborations or supply needs from similar institutions. Therefore, companies with expertise in bespoke engineering solutions are well-suited to engage in such specialised public procurement opportunities.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Purchase of a Materials Tester

Notice Description

The University of Edinburgh intents to award a contract for the purchase of a triaxial materials load tester. The University of Edinburgh believes that GDS Instruments is the only supplier capable of providing a solution that meets its requirements.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The University of Edinburgh intents to award a contract for the purchase of a triaxial materials load tester. The University of Edinburgh believes that GDS Instruments is the only supplier capable of providing a solution that meets its requirements, specifically: 1) Measurement accuracy and integrity through proprietary design that removes seal friction and pressure compensation irrespective of surrounding stress as well as the elimination of the need for mathematical compensation to correct for ram upthrust. 2) Enhanced safety due to the usage of pressure/volume controllers as compared to syringe-based or pneumatic systems. 3) Open architecture software that is crucial for the ongoing research at the University that also allows for user-defined custom scripts and custom calculations and virtual transducers.

Procurement Information

From a comprehensive market analysis the University of Edinburgh thinks that there is a lack of competition due to technical reasons as specified in the notice.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000829138
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR553636
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F15 - Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency 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
SME

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
£63,711 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Apr 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Apr 20265 days 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

GDS INSTRUMENTS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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