---
title: "The Supply and Installation of a HIGH RESOLUTION FOURIER TRANSFORM BENCH-TOP LIQUID CHROMATROGRAPHY-ORBITRAP MASS SPECTROMETER (THERMO ORBITRAP EXPLORIS 240) to the University of Birmingham University of Birmingham Project Reference: SC10850/25"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05f32f"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05f32f"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f32f.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f32f.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM"
published: "2025-12-15"
---

# The Supply and Installation of a HIGH RESOLUTION FOURIER TRANSFORM BENCH-TOP LIQUID CHROMATROGRAPHY-ORBITRAP MASS SPECTROMETER (THERMO ORBITRAP EXPLORIS 240) to the University of Birmingham University of Birmingham Project Reference: SC10850/25

Buyer: THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05f32f

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## Summary

The University of Birmingham has completed the procurement process for the supply and installation of a High Resolution Fourier Transform Bench-top Liquid Chromatography-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer (Thermo Orbitrap Exploris 240), specifically designed for advanced metabolic research. This procurement is located in Birmingham, United Kingdom, under the context of a public authority - sub-central government classification. The procurement was conducted via a direct award, on the rationale that Thermo Electron Manufacturing Limited, trading as Thermo Fisher Scientific, holds exclusive rights for the technology required, making this a unique capability without alternatives in the market. The contract was awarded with an anticipated start date on 25th December 2025 and will run until 27th March 2026. A standstill period is scheduled to complete on 24th December 2025.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses operating within the scientific instrumentation industry, particularly those specialising in high-resolution mass spectrometry technologies. The unique technical capabilities required demonstrate a strong demand for innovative, patent-protected solutions in scientific research, providing growth opportunities for similarly specialised organisations. The direct award procurement approach underscores the importance of possessing exclusive technological patents, highlighting potential avenues for businesses in research and development to compete by enhancing their proprietary offerings and patent portfolios. Businesses adept at integrating complex biocompatible systems and advanced modelling software may find similar opportunities, emphasising the value of innovative research solutions that can facilitate scientific advancement.

## Notice

Total cost excluding VAT: PS356,548.16 The equipment (Thermo Orbitrap Exploris 240) that we are requesting will permit us to detect changes in multiple metabolic pathways in a single analytical run as it combines the high mass resolution observed in 'multi-reflecting time of flight' instruments with increased sensitivity giving the ability to detect and gain additional molecular information on high numbers of metabolites present in low abundance as found in with 'triple quadrupole' instruments. Importantly for us (Metabolic Tracer Analysis Core (MTAC)), the high mass resolution will also allow us to deconvolute changes in mass due to incorporation of different stable isotopes (e.g. 15N, 13C, 2H), giving us the ability to examine nutrient use in more complex ways. This model is the only such instrument - the 'Orbitrap' part of the mass spectrometer is what provides this capability highlighted above, and Thermo Electron Manufacturing Limited trading as Thermo Fisher Scientific hold the patent for this technology. It includes nitrogen generator with high purity collision gas module, biocompatible liquid chromatography system, and full system integration with proprietary Thermo software (including tracing analysis software), all required to maintain the scientific edge of our metabolic research.

### Procurement Information

This was previously Tendered and only one response was received which was from the supplier we are directly awarding to. This procurement is being undertaken via a single-source route due to the unique technical capabilities of the Thermo Orbitrap Exploris 240 and the exclusive rights held by its manufacturer; Thermo Fisher Scientific is the only company globally that offers a fully integrated system combining: * Sensitivity: tSIM: 200 fg Reserpine on column yields S/N 250:1 RMS or better * Mass Resolution: 240,000 (FWHM) at m/z 200 for all scan modes and both polarities * Mass Accuracy: < 1 ppm RMS - with EASY-IC internal calibration for at least 5 days * Dynamic Range: >5,000:1 within one spectrum (single transient acquisition) * Polarity Switching: one cycle consisting of acquiring one full scan in positive mode and one full scan in negative mode at a rate of 1.4 Hz * Various Scan Functions: Full Scan, Data Independent Acquisition, All-Ion-Fragmentation, Multiplexed SIM (up to 20 simultaneously detected precursor ions) * Advanced Functions: Automatic Gain Control (AGC) with predictive AGC * Application Specific Software: Thermo Scientific TraceFinder (for quantitative tracing analysis), Thermo Scientific Compound Discoverer, and AcquireX Intelligent Data Acquisition Workflow * General: High resolution Fourier transform bench-top liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) system with an MS footprint of 71 x 77 x 54 cm (h x d x w). No other commercially available instrument can provide the above whilst adhering to the small footprint (bench-top) size and the required high resolution, mass accuracy, and sensitivity. Given the patented, proprietary nature of this technology and the absence of any technically equivalent alternative on the market, the procurement of the Thermo Orbitrap Exploris 240 from Thermo Scientific constitutes a justified sole-source purchase. The University confirms that no other supplier can meet the required functional specifications and integrated features necessary for our research objectives.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083023-2025 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 15 Dec 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 10 Dec 2025 |
| Contract period | 25 Dec 2025 - 27 Mar 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £356,548 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM |
| Locality | BIRMINGHAM |
| Post town | Birmingham |
| Postcode | B15 2TT |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands |
| ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham |
| Local authority | Birmingham |
| Electoral ward | Edgbaston |
| Westminster constituency | Birmingham Edgbaston |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | THERMO ELECTRON MANUFACTURING |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

### Codes

- 38433100 - Mass spectrometer

## Release History

- 15 Dec 2025 at 15:59 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083023-2025
- 10 Dec 2025 at 16:38 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081686-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083023-2025
  15th December 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081686-2025
  10th December 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.birmingham.ac.uk
- https://corporate.thermofisher.com
- 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-05f32f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f32f.json.