---
title: "Scratch Testing Module"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06116d"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06116d"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06116d.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06116d.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF NORTHUMBRIA AT NEWCASTLE"
published: "2026-01-28"
---

# Scratch Testing Module

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF NORTHUMBRIA AT NEWCASTLE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06116d

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## Summary

The University of Northumbria at Newcastle has completed a procurement process for the acquisition of a Scratch Testing Module to enhance its existing nanomechanical testing systems at the NU-PICO facility. The contract was directly awarded to Oxford Instruments NanoTechnology Tools Ltd., the sole authorised supplier, under a procurement process designated 'Below threshold - without competition'. The contract, valued at approximately £49,893.60, was signed on 19th December 2025 and is set to run from 5th January 2026 to 3rd July 2026. This procurement falls under the industry categories of metering instruments and machines for testing and measuring, with delivery planned in the UKC region, specifically Newcastle upon Tyne.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the specialised field of scientific equipment supply, particularly those with expertise in nanotechnology and metrology. Suppliers capable of providing original equipment manufacture (OEM) services and innovative technology for educational institutions could find similar opportunities lucrative. While the current contract was awarded without competition, businesses positioned to offer unique or proprietary solutions in similar sectors could consider establishing themselves as preferred suppliers or partners to gain access to future opportunities.

## Notice

Northumbria University entered to a contract for the supply and installation of an OEM Scratch Testing Module (FT-ST04) and a Two-axis Microforce Sensing Probe (range up to 20 mN) with a diamond Berkovich tip. This equipment is an essential upgrade to the existing FemtoTools iO4 nanomechanical testing system located at the NU-PICO facility. The award was made directly to Oxford Instruments NanoTechnology Ltd. as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and sole authorized supplier of the FemtoTools iO4 and NMT04 systems. To view this notice, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=1010206971

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007794-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - without competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 28 Jan 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 19 Dec 2025 |
| Contract period | 5 Jan 2026 - 3 Jul 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £49,893 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF NORTHUMBRIA AT NEWCASTLE |
| Locality | NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE |
| Post town | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Postcode | NE1 8ST |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC43 Tyneside |
| Local authority | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Electoral ward | Monument |
| Westminster constituency | Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | OXFORD INSTRUMENTS NANOTECHNOLOGY TOOLS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 38410000 - Metering instruments
- 38540000 - Machines and apparatus for testing and measuring

## Release History

- 28 Jan 2026 at 19:05 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007794-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007794-2026
  28th January 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=1010206971
- 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-06116d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06116d.json.