--- title: "Multi collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer MC-ICP MS" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05ebd3" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ebd3" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ebd3.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ebd3.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH HIGHER EDUCATION CORPORATION" published: "2026-01-30" --- # Multi collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer MC-ICP MS Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH HIGHER EDUCATION CORPORATION Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05ebd3 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ebd3) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ebd3.json) ## Summary The University of Portsmouth Higher Education Corporation recently completed the procurement process for a Multi Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (MC-ICP MS), finalised on 30th January 2026. This high-precision instrument, valued at £490,000 excluding VAT, will support the university's geological and materials science research. The direct award procurement method was used due to the specialised technical specifications and budget constraints. The contract, active from 13th January 2026 to 13th January 2029, involves supply, delivery, installation, and a manufacturer warranty. The procurement process, initiated on 1st December 2025, included a UK2 preliminary market engagement, assuring compatibility with existing university systems and encompassing delivery to Portsmouth, UK. This tender creates significant opportunities for businesses in the geological instruments and laboratory equipment sectors, particularly those capable of providing high-specification, budget-conscious solutions. Suppliers with capabilities in precision scientific instrumentation, offering refurbishment or ex-demonstration units, stand to benefit from such procurements. The focus on detailed technical requirements indicates that small to medium-sized enterprises with flexible, bespoke manufacturing capabilities may find themselves well-positioned to meet similar demands in future engagements. Collaborations with institutions of higher education can foster long-term partnerships and potentially lead to further contracts and developments in cutting-edge research equipment supply. ## Notice The University of Portsmouth confirms it has contracted for the supply of a pre-owned dual-beam path MC-ICPMS (Multi Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer). This includes Supply, Delivery, Installation and warranty. The Total value of this contract is PS490,000 ex vat. ### Planning Information Please send information outlining how you meet the requirements to ruth.powell@port.ac.uk. This should include technical specifications, delivery arrangements and lead times, service and warranty information. Any queries can also be directed to the same contact. ### Procurement Information The procurement needed a high specification ICP-MS but the University had a very limited budget. In accordance with UK procurement regulations, the University issued a UK2 on 1st December 2025. This Preliminary Market Engagement notice was used to assess market availability and determine whether any suitable/used instruments meeting the required technical specifications were available within the allocated budget. Following this engagement, the University received a single expression of interest from Nu Instruments, who confirmed their ability to meet the specification within the available budget. The instrument meet the Universities requirements and will be utilised for high-precision isotopic analysis of Hf, U-Pb, U-series, Sr, Pb, and Nd in geological samples. It must support both dry plasma and laser ablation sample introduction methods and will primarily be applied to geological and materials science research. The system will be integrated with the University's existing 193 nm and femtosecond laser systems. Minimum Technical Requirements: Dual beam path enabling bypass of the collision cell when not required. Daly detectors providing wide dynamic range for mixed isotope systems. Upgrade pathway for fast ion counters to enable single-shot analysis when available. Includes a manufacturer warranty of 36 months PA23 UK5 Notice and UK 6 Notices published on 19th December 2025 Associated people/organisations: Ametek GB (Ltd) is the Parent company of Nu Instruments Ltd. The contract is placed with Nu Instruments Ltd ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008452-2026 | | Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Direct | | Procurement method details | Direct award | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | SME | | All stages | Planning, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 30 Jan 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 5 Jan 2026 | | Award date | 19 Dec 2025 | | Contract period | 13 Jan 2026 - 13 Jan 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £450,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | £490,000 | | Contracts value | £490,000 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH HIGHER EDUCATION CORPORATION | | Additional buyers | UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH | | Locality | PORTSMOUTH | | Post town | Portsmouth | | Postcode | PO1 2UP | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight | | ITL 3 | TLJ31 Portsmouth | | Local authority | Portsmouth | | Electoral ward | St Thomas | | Westminster constituency | Portsmouth South | | Delivery location | TLJ31 Portsmouth | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | AMETEK (GB | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) ### Codes - 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) - 38433100 - Mass spectrometer ## Release History - 30 Jan 2026 at 12:54 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008452-2026 - 19 Dec 2025 at 12:57 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084901-2025 - 19 Dec 2025 at 12:28 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084874-2025 - 1 Dec 2025 at 12:06 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078445-2025 - 1 Dec 2025 at 11:55 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078436-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008452-2026 30th January 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084901-2025 19th December 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084874-2025 19th December 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078445-2025 1st December 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078436-2025 1st December 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - http://www.ametek.co.uk/ - http://www.port.ac.uk/ - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ebd3. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ebd3.json.