---
title: "Liquid Handling Robots for C-19 Testing"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000660929"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000660929"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000660929.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000660929.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH"
published: "2021-07-28"
---

# Liquid Handling Robots for C-19 Testing

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000660929

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000660929.json)

## Summary

The University of Edinburgh has completed a procurement process for "Liquid Handling Robots for C-19 Testing," aimed at enhancing COVID-19 testing capabilities within its TestEd programme. The procurement method was limited, employing an award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition due to technical justifications linked to compatibility with existing technologies. The contract was signed on 16th July 2021, valued at £313,110, and the delivery location specified is the Institute of Genetics and Cancer in Edinburgh. The buying organisation is a public entity classified under the education sector, situated in Edinburgh, Scotland.

This contract represents a notable opportunity for businesses involved in the supply of medical equipment and robotics, particularly those with expertise in liquid handling technology. Companies that can offer compatible products or services aligned with the Tecan platform would be ideally suited to compete in similar future tenders. With the emphasis on quality and price as key award criteria, this procurement offers a pathway for growth within the health sector, specifically for businesses focused on innovative solutions for COVID-19 testing processes.

## Notice

These 3 liquid handling robots will be used for testing for COVID-19 in saliva samples as part of the University of Edinburgh's TestEd programme. The robots are required for testing all staff and students at the beginning of the September 2021 term.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Under Regulation Reg 33(1)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, a contracting authority may use the negotiated procedure without the prior publication in the case of a public contract, based on the following justification: Competition is absent for technical reasons (only if it is not caused by artificial narrowing down of the parameters of the procurement and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists); and 33(4)(b) For the purchase of additional goods, where the University would have compatibility issues or disproportionate technical difficulties in purchasing from a party other than original supplier.

Options: This purchase includes application training.

### Procurement Information

The TestEd programme was established developed and optimised using a Tecan robot platform. It is therefore not feasible in the timeframe required for the project to re-develop the pipelines using an alternate robot manufacturer. This is particularly relevant as the robots require significant consumables and these are not readily compatible between manufacturers. In addition the Tecan platform has unique technical advantages making it suited to the required application.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL422307 |
| Notice type | OJEU - F3 - Contract 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 | 28 Jul 2021 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 16 Jul 2021 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £313,110 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH |
| Locality | EDINBURGH |
| Post town | Edinburgh |
| Postcode | EH1 1HT |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM13 City of Edinburgh |
| Local authority | City of Edinburgh |
| Electoral ward | City Centre |
| Westminster constituency | Edinburgh East and Musselburgh |
| Delivery location | TLM75 City of Edinburgh |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | TECAN |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 38500000 - Checking and testing apparatus
- 42997300 - Industrial robots

## Release History

- 28 Jul 2021 at 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL422307

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL422307
  Liquid Handling Robots for C-19 Testing - These 3 liquid handling robots will be used for testing for COVID-19 in saliva samples as part of the University of Edinburgh's TestEd programme. The robots are required for testing all staff and students at the beginning of the September 2021 term.

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/procurement/supplying
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000660929

## 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-r6ebe6-0000660929. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000660929.json.