---
title: "Service and Maintenance Contract for Genomic Sequencing Platform"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06b36e"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06b36e"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b36e.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b36e.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY"
published: "2026-06-12"
---

# Service and Maintenance Contract for Genomic Sequencing Platform

Buyer: NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06b36e

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06b36e)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b36e.json)

## Summary

Northumbria University, a sub-central government public authority located in Newcastle upon Tyne, has completed the procurement process for a 5-year service and maintenance contract for a high-throughput genomic sequencing platform. The contract, with a gross value of $326,250, has been directly awarded to PACIFIC BIOSCIENCES OF CALIFORNIA, as they are the original equipment manufacturer and sole supplier capable of performing the necessary specialised services. This decision stems from technical reasons and proprietary technology restrictions, as stated under the Procurement Act 2023. The contract period is set to commence on 26th June 2026 and will end on 22nd May 2031, ensuring continuous support for advanced molecular, environmental, and bioscience research at the university.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses in the genomic and precision equipment service sectors to align with premium clients such as Northumbria University. The contract demands high-level technical expertise and proprietary knowledge, making it particularly suitable for large-scale manufacturers or service providers that specialize in proprietary technology support. Although this tender was awarded via a direct award method, the competitive nature of this sector highlights the importance of maintaining exclusive rights and advanced technical capacities for future opportunities. Businesses specialising in R&D and bespoke engineering solutions could find similar procurement projects beneficial for leveraging niche expertise and expanding their portfolio in high-tech research environments.

## Notice

Northumbria University intends to directly award a 5-year service, support, and maintenance contract for an existing high-throughput genomic sequencing platform to support advanced molecular, environmental, and bioscience research frameworks within the Faculty of Science and Environment. This specialized multi-year service agreement is critical for ensuring the continuous, high-availability, and high-precision operational performance of complex, long-read sequencing instrumentation running critical data workflows. The contract will ensure the systematic provisioning of vital maintenance parameters--including preventative maintenance visits, emergency engineering labor, certified replacement parts, proprietary consumables required for mechanical repairs, and real-time remote performance monitoring--allowing researchers to maximize instrument uptime and maintain strict data fidelity across high-throughput genomic pipelines. The contract is to be awarded via a formal internal procurement exemption as the sequencing platform relies entirely on proprietary technology and closed-source software architectures. Consequently, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is the sole authorized provider capable of supplying certified replacement parts, executing specialized engineering calibrations, and providing remote diagnostic support. No alternative provider exists with the technical capacity or legal authorization to service the asset without compromising instrument validation, operational warranties, or downstream research data fidelity.

### Procurement Information

The direct award is justified under Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 due to exclusive rights and technical reasons: Intellectual Property and Exclusive Rights: The genomic sequencing platform relies entirely on proprietary, patented technology and closed-source software architectures owned exclusively by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). No third-party providers hold the legal licenses or authorizations required to access, update, or modify the system's core operating infrastructure. Technical Reasons: The OEM is the sole authorized provider globally with the specialized technical capacity, certified engineering tooling, and remote diagnostic systems required to service this instrument. Utilizing an alternative provider would invalidate manufacturer operational warranties, breach mandatory instrument calibration protocols (such as laser alignment), and fatally compromise downstream research data fidelity and scientific validation.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055561-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award 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 | 12 Jun 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 9 Jun 2026 |
| Contract period | 25 Jun 2026 - 22 May 2031 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £326,250 |
| 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 | NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY |
| 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 | PACIFIC BIOSCIENCES OF CALIFORNIA |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 50 - Repair and maintenance services

### Codes

- 50400000 - Repair and maintenance services of medical and precision equipment

## Release History

- 12 Jun 2026 at 09:36 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055561-2026
- 11 Jun 2026 at 15:35 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055419-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055561-2026
  12th June 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055419-2026
  11th 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-06b36e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b36e.json.