---
title: "SEC-MALS and DSC"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0779ed"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0779ed"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0779ed.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0779ed.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "Aston University"
published: "2026-09-24"
---

# SEC-MALS and DSC

Buyer: Aston University  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0779ed

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## Summary

Aston University bought two items of capital research equipment for the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence in Birmingham: a TA Instruments Discovery DSC 2500 differential scanning calorimeter and an integrated Waters SEC-MALS system. The package includes delivery, installation, commissioning and initial user training, with dedicated manufacturer PCs and control and analysis software for both systems. The calorimeter supports thermal characterisation of polymers, biomaterials, pharmaceuticals and other advanced materials. The SEC-MALS system combines size-exclusion chromatography, multi-angle light scattering and refractive-index detection to separate and analyse the molecular weight, size and distribution of macromolecules, proteins, polymers and nanoparticles. This is specialist laboratory research equipment supply and installation, rather than a general laboratory equipment requirement.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded to Waters Limited. The contract was signed on 18 September 2026, with an awarded value of £270,718.61. Aston University made a direct call-off from the SUPC/APUC framework, without publishing a separate call for competition; the framework itself had been established through an open procedure. The award covers one lot for both instruments. Price was the stated award criterion. The procurement rationale says Waters was an awarded framework supplier capable of meeting the full technical specification, and that the quoted price was within the approved Eveson Trust grant budget. The lot also allowed an option to extend the service warranty by two years. The contract is recorded as active.

For suppliers preparing for a similar requirement from Aston University, the award indicates demand for an integrated package of high-specification research instruments, rather than equipment alone. A credible competitor would need to supply both differential scanning calorimetry and SEC-MALS capability, including the associated chromatography, light-scattering and refractive-index components, as well as manufacturer PCs and compatible control and analysis software. The scope also favours suppliers able to manage delivery, installation, commissioning and initial user training, and to support a possible extended service warranty. The selected supplier was already on the relevant university purchasing framework and was assessed as able to meet the full technical specification, so framework access and demonstrable technical compatibility are important to competing for this buyer's comparable equipment requirement. The equipment serves advanced materials and biomolecular research.

## Notice

This procurement is for the purchase, delivery, installation, commissioning and initial user training of two items of capital research equipment for the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME): a TA Instruments Discovery DSC 2500 differential scanning calorimeter and an integrated Waters SEC-MALS system comprising size-exclusion chromatography, multi-angle light-scattering and refractive-index detection. Both systems will be supplied with dedicated manufacturer PCs and the required control and analysis software. The DSC will support the thermal characterisation of polymers, biomaterials, pharmaceuticals and other advanced materials. The SEC-MALS system will enable the separation and absolute molecular-weight, size and distribution analysis of macromolecules, proteins, polymers and nanoparticles.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

This procurement is for the purchase, delivery, installation, commissioning and initial user training of two items of capital research equipment for the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME): a TA Instruments Discovery DSC 2500 differential scanning calorimeter and an integrated Waters SEC-MALS system comprising size-exclusion chromatography, multi-angle light-scattering and refractive-index detection. Both systems will be supplied with dedicated manufacturer PCs and the required control and analysis software. The DSC will support the thermal characterisation of polymers, biomaterials, pharmaceuticals and other advanced materials. The SEC-MALS system will enable the separation and absolute molecular-weight, size and distribution analysis of macromolecules, proteins, polymers and nanoparticles.

Options: 2 years extension option for possible service warranty

### Procurement Information

This contract was awarded as a direct call-off under SUPC/APUC Framework Agreement (Lot LAB 1029 AP), established under PCR 2015 via Open Procedure (OJEU ref. 697480). Waters Limited is an awarded supplier on the framework-who is capable of meeting the full technical specification for the SEC-MALS and DSC 2500 instruments. The consolidated quotation (ref. 24559100) totals PS270,718.61 excluding VAT, within the approved Eveson Trust grant budget (job code 61354). Supported by PSD & Award Report, project reference 1316.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/090744-2026 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £270,718 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | Aston University |
| Locality | BIRMINGHAM |
| Postcode area | Birmingham |
| Postcode | B4 7ET |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands |
| ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham |
| Local authority | Birmingham |
| Electoral ward | Nechells |
| Westminster constituency | Birmingham Ladywood |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | Waters Ltd |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 24 Sep 2026 at 16:56 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/090744-2026

## Notice URLs

- https://www.aston.ac.uk/

## Provenance

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