---
title: "Supply of Real-Time PCR Instruments to APHA"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06e8a2"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06e8a2"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e8a2.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e8a2.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH AGENCY"
published: "2026-08-24"
---

# Supply of Real-Time PCR Instruments to APHA

Buyer: ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH AGENCY  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06e8a2

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## Summary

The Animal and Plant Health Agency is planning to procure approximately 60 real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) instruments for laboratory use across the United Kingdom. The equipment will detect and quantify DNA and RNA targets, supporting molecular testing in accredited laboratory environments. The requirement covers current-production, CE-marked 96-well platforms that provide quantitative and qualitative analysis, multiplex fluorescence detection through at least five optical channels, and high-resolution melt analysis. Systems must work with non-proprietary reagents and consumables and provide network-enabled data management. The wider supply includes associated software, installation, user training, calibration certification, warranty provision, lifecycle support, maintenance and servicing. This is a laboratory equipment and support services requirement, classified under laboratory, optical and precision equipment.

This procurement is at the planning stage: APHA has stated its intention to buy, but has not invited tenders. It expects to use a competitive flexible procedure for one planned lot, with participation identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. The estimated value is £3.8 million excluding VAT, or £4.56 million including VAT. The anticipated contract period is 15 March 2027 to 14 March 2032, with a possible extension to 14 March 2034. APHA expects to issue a subsequent notice on 27 November 2026. It is conducting preliminary market engagement to shape its procurement approach; suppliers may complete an information-gathering questionnaire by 15 September 2026. No formal proposals, evaluation or supplier selection form part of this engagement.

The requirement is likely to suit manufacturers, authorised distributors and specialist laboratory technology providers able to supply and support a fleet of around 60 qPCR systems. Relevant suppliers should be prepared to demonstrate current-production CE-marked 96-well platforms, quantitative and qualitative testing, multiplex fluorescence with at least five optical channels, high-resolution melt capability and compatibility with non-proprietary consumables. Commercial readiness will also depend on providing installation, user training, calibration certification, warranty cover, maintenance and long-term technical support. Experience of network-enabled laboratory data management and working within accredited laboratory environments will be important. Suppliers can use the planned market engagement to explain available technologies, support models and implementation considerations before the formal procurement documents and detailed evaluation criteria are issued.

## Notice

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is seeking to engage with the market in advance of a planned procurement for the supply, installation, training, warranty and lifecycle support of approximately 60 Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) systems over a period of up to five years. The systems will be used for the molecular detection and quantification of DNA and RNA targets within laboratory environments. The requirement is for current-production, CE-marked, 96-well qPCR platforms capable of quantitative and qualitative analysis, multiplex fluorescence detection with a minimum of five optical channels, high-resolution melt (HRM) analysis, and compatibility with non-proprietary reagents and consumables. The scope will include associated software, installation, user training, calibration certification, warranty provision and ongoing maintenance and support services. Suppliers must be able to provide network-enabled data management functionality and support operation within accredited laboratory environments. Full technical requirements, service expectations and evaluation criteria will be detailed within the procurement documents.

### Planning Information

The Authority is conducting this market engagement to inform its procurement approach and gain a clearer understanding of the market.
Suppliers are invited to complete a short questionnaire, available from Melanie Swain – melanie.swain@defra.gov.uk.
Suppliers are invited to respond with completed questionnaires by 15th September 2026.
This exercise is for information gathering only. No formal proposals are required, and no evaluation or selection of suppliers or equipment will be undertaken at this stage.
The Authority reserves the right to follow up with suppliers to further clarify responses, with any new material information shared appropriately.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080294-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 24 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 27 Nov 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 15 Mar 2027 - 14 Mar 2032 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £3,800,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planned |
| Lots status | Planned |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH AGENCY |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Postcode area | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1P 4DF |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | St James's |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

## Release History

- 24 Aug 2026 at 12:18 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080294-2026
- 20 Aug 2026 at 13:56 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079472-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080294-2026
  24th August 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079472-2026
  20th August 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome
- 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-06e8a2. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e8a2.json.