---
title: "CSP26778 - Replacement Gallium source"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06e4c2"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06e4c2"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e4c2.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e4c2.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UK Research and Innovation"
published: "2026-08-14"
---

# CSP26778 - Replacement Gallium source

Buyer: UK Research and Innovation  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06e4c2

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## Summary

UK Research and Innovation procured a replacement gallium source for its Zeiss Crossbeam FIB-SEM, a focused ion beam scanning electron microscope. The requirement is for the supply of gallium, a specialist consumable used by this scientific instrument. The stated purpose is to replace the existing source and support continued operation of the Crossbeam FIB-SEM. UK Research and Innovation is the buying organisation, with UK Shared Business Services Ltd acting as the procuring entity and shared service provider. Delivery is for UKRI in the United Kingdom. This is a goods requirement centred on a specific component for laboratory and research equipment, rather than a general metals supply or wider scientific-instrument maintenance service.

This procurement is complete and was awarded directly to CARL ZEISS LTD. The contract was signed on 13 August 2026, with an award date recorded as 14 August 2026, and runs from 14 August to 30 November 2026. The awarded contract value is £12,725 excluding VAT, or £15,270 including VAT. It was a below-threshold direct award without competition because the buyer stated that only one supplier could provide the requirement for technical reasons. The award covers one completed lot for the replacement gallium source. The outcome identifies CARL ZEISS LTD as the selected supplier; no competitive evaluation between bids is recorded because the procurement was conducted without competition.

This award indicates demand for OEM or technically compatible replacement sources for advanced microscopy equipment used by UK Research and Innovation. Suppliers seeking comparable work would need a credible ability to provide gallium sources specifically suited to Zeiss Crossbeam FIB-SEM systems, with confidence that the component will integrate with the existing instrument and support reliable scientific operation. Relevant strengths would include specialist knowledge of focused ion beam and scanning electron microscopy equipment, access to compatible replacement parts, and the technical evidence needed to demonstrate sole-source or compatibility claims where competition is restricted. Businesses supplying laboratory instrumentation components or supporting research facilities may use this requirement as a marker of UKRI’s specialist equipment needs.

## Notice

***** THIS IS A CONTRACT DETAILS NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded without competition due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required. Contract details notice for the supply of Replacement Gallium source for our Zeiss Crossbeam FIB-SEM to UKRI

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077735-2026 |
| 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 | 14 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 13 Aug 2026 |
| Contract period | 14 Aug 2026 - 30 Nov 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £12,725 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UK Research and Innovation |
| Locality | SWINDON |
| Postcode area | 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 |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | CARL ZEISS LTD |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 14 - Mining, basic metals and related products

### Codes

- 14762000 - Gallium

## Release History

- 14 Aug 2026 at 14:33 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077735-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077735-2026
  14th August 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.uksbs.co.uk/
- https://www.zeiss.co.uk/corporate/home.html

## 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-06e4c2. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e4c2.json.