---
title: "NanoSims Annual Service Contract"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06ad80"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06ad80"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06ad80.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06ad80.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE OPEN UNIVERSITY"
published: "2026-07-16"
---

# NanoSims Annual Service Contract

Buyer: THE OPEN UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06ad80

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## Summary

The procurement process involves THE OPEN UNIVERSITY, located in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, engaging a service contract titled "NanoSims Annual Service Contract" in the category of repair and maintenance services. The procurement stage is the Award, with key dates including the contract period starting on 11th July 2026 and ending on 10th July 2029, with the contract being signed on 11th July 2026. The procurement method applied was a direct award owing to the unique technical requirements that only Cameca, the supplier based in France, could meet. The process is set under UK legislation, specifically UKPGA 2023/54, with the legal basis ensuring compliance with relevant statutory provisions.

This tender offers growth opportunities for businesses that have niche technical capabilities and a proven track record in providing specialist services for highly complex equipment such as the NanoSIMS instrument. The service contract, valued at €507,600 gross, highlights the importance of possessing unique technical expertise and access to necessary components, positioning businesses that specialise in scientific instrument maintenance and support as ideal candidates. Companies suited for such tenders should have a demonstrated background in supplying and servicing advanced scientific equipment, as well as the ability to provide reliable, ongoing support to prestigious academic institutions like THE OPEN UNIVERSITY.

## Notice

Renewal of annual service contract for the NanoSIMS 50 instrument.

### Procurement Information

The following conditions are met in relation to the public contract -- (a) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and (b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works. CAMECA is the original supplier of the NanoSIMS instrument and the only provider capable of delivering service support to the required standard, including the necessary knowledge, expertise and access to parts. The NanoSIMS instrument is highly complex and sensitive, requiring specialist technical expertise to maintain it effectively. There are no reasonable alternative suppliers able to provide the level of support needed to ensure its continued operation for research purposes.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067439-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 16 Jul 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 4 Jun 2026 |
| Contract period | 10 Jul 2026 - 10 Jul 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £423,000 |
| Contracts value | £423,000 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THE OPEN UNIVERSITY |
| Locality | MILTON KEYNES |
| Post town | Milton Keynes |
| Postcode | MK7 6AA |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLJ12 Milton Keynes |
| Local authority | Milton Keynes |
| Electoral ward | Monkston |
| Westminster constituency | Milton Keynes Central |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | CAMECA |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 50 - Repair and maintenance services

### Codes

- 50000000 - Repair and maintenance services

## Release History

- 16 Jul 2026 at 15:58 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067439-2026
- 15 Jun 2026 at 12:46 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056200-2026
- 4 Jun 2026 at 12:28 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052802-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067439-2026
  16th July 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056200-2026
  15th June 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052802-2026
  4th June 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- 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-06ad80. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06ad80.json.