--- title: "UKRI-5804 Microscopy Equipment Framework" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06d260" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d260" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d260.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d260.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)" published: "2026-08-03" --- # UKRI-5804 Microscopy Equipment Framework Buyer: UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI) Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06d260 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d260) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d260.json) ## Summary UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) is in the planning stage of a significant procurement process seeking to establish a four-year contract for the supply and associated services of microscopy equipment. The total estimated value of this contract is £9,000,000, excluding VAT, and it involves multiple suppliers providing services across various locations, including the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Didcot and Daresbury Laboratory in Warrington. The procurement falls under the services industry category, with the primary focus on microscopes and repair and maintenance services of medical and precision equipment. UKRI is conducting preliminary market engagement and has invited suppliers to complete a pre-market questionnaire by 6th August 2026. The procurement officially enters its next phase on 18th September 2026. This tender presents a substantial opportunity for businesses involved in the production and maintenance of microscopy equipment, particularly those identified as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which are encouraged to participate. By engaging in this preliminary stage, businesses can influence the structure and requirements of the upcoming framework, ensuring it aligns with their capabilities and interests. Organisations with expertise in providing advanced microscopy tools and services are ideally positioned to benefit from this initiative, which promises not only economic growth but also the potential to establish long-term partnerships with a prominent public sector entity such as UKRI. ## Notice UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is looking to establish a contract for a period of up to four years for the supply and associated services of microscopy equipment for potentially multiple suppliers on multiple lots. This will be across all of our locations including Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Didcot and Daresbury Laboratory in Warrington. To support the development and shaping of this upcoming requirement, UKRI is seeking input from the market. Suppliers are therefore invited to complete a questionnaire to help inform the structure and scope of the future contract. If you are interested in participating, please email stfcprocurement@ukri.org with the subject line "UKRI-5804 Microscopy Equipment Questionnaire" to request a copy of the questionnaire. A copy will then be issued for completion. Completed questionnaires should be returned by 10th August 2026. The total for this requirement is PS9,000,000.00 excluding VAT however please be aware that this value is an estimate and not guaranteed. ### Planning Information We are inviting suppliers to complete a pre-market questionnaire to help inform and shape the structure of the framework. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072975-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 3 Aug 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 18 Sep 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 5 Nov 2026 - 6 Sep 2030 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £9,000,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI) | | Locality | SWINDON, WILTSHIRE | | Post town | Swindon | | Postcode | SN2 1FL | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire | | ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon | | Local authority | Swindon | | Electoral ward | Rodbourne Cheney | | Westminster constituency | Swindon North | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) - 50 - Repair and maintenance services ### Codes - 38510000 - Microscopes - 50400000 - Repair and maintenance services of medical and precision equipment ## Release History - 3 Aug 2026 at 07:27 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072975-2026 - 23 Jul 2026 at 14:48 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069896-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072975-2026 3rd August 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069896-2026 23rd July 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.ukri.org/ ## 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-06d260. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d260.json.