Official UK procurement notice
4998/AM/GM - Digital Product Passport Cell R3
Authority: University of Sheffield (Education)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe University of Sheffield wishes to invite tenders for a Digital Passport Cell on behalf of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, Integrated Manufacturing Group at Catcliffe, South Yorkshire.
Scope of Requirement
To enable our research in this area, the AMRC is inviting tenders for the design, supply and commissioning of a robotic cell on the workshop floor of our Factory 2050 building which will allow our researchers to test and develop technologies relevant to a Digital Passport. We would like to demonstrate these technologies in a cell that is designed to read and write data during the automatic disassembly of an electric motor. This is an ideal demonstration scenario as the key driver behind the introduction of Digital Passports is that they should enable greater circularity in manufacturing industries.
As well as acting as a research tool the cell should also be designed to facilitate the AMRC's aim of advancing UK manufacturing by demonstrating key technologies to UK manufacturers during visits to our facility. Please note that the work of the AMRC involves exploring new technologies which have the potential to deliver benefits to UK manufacturing; we are not a manufacturing organisation looking for a production ready solution.
CPV: Industrial robots · Industry specific software development services · Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) · Machine tools · Miscellaneous special-purpose machinery · Research, testing and scientific technical simulator · Software programming and consultancy services · Special-purpose machine tools · Workshop equipment
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1AwardedPublished value£400,000
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published award criteria (2)
- Quality: 75%
- Price: 25%
- Price carries 25 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 2.5 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Goods
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 4 Mar 2026, 10:25 GMT
- Last source update
- 2 Oct 2026, 08:56 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 27 May 2026
- Authority reference
4998/AM/GM- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-033775- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0661c6Find a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 11 May 2026, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
4 Mar 2026 → 2 Oct 2026 · 8 dates- Planning notice published232 days ago4 Mar 2026, 10:25 GMT
- Market engagement218 days ago18 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT
The University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) is considering the future procurement of a robotic cell to support research into Digital Product Passports (DPPs)—digital records that capture key data about a product’s materials, manufacturing history, and end-of-life options.
The proposed robotic cell would be located at our Factory 2050 facility and used to demonstrate automated disassembly of an electric motor. The system would read and write data throughout the process to support research into circular manufacturing and highlight how DPPs can enable more sustainable industrial practices.
The cell will also act as a demonstration platform for UK manufacturers, showcasing cutting-edge technologies that support the development and use of DPPs.
We are carrying out preliminary market engagement to better understand current capabilities and innovations available in the market. This early engagement will help shape a fair, open, and realistic procurement process. We welcome input from potential suppliers and integrators on how their solutions could meet our initial needs.
In particular, we would appreciate information on: Relevant technologies or approaches Indicative delivery timelines Non-binding pricing guidance to support early budgeting.
Please note: this is not a formal procurement exercise. No commitment is being made at this stage, and participation in this engagement will not give any advantage in any future procurement. Any subsequent procurement process will be conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, ensuring transparency, equal treatment, and open competition.
If you have any questions or comments in relation to this tender they must be submitted via the In-tend System, this can be accessed at in-tendhost.co.uk/Sheffield ↗ Closing date for this market engagement is March 18th, 2026 at 12:00 noon (UK Time)
- Tender notice published191 days ago14 Apr 2026, 13:50 BST
- Submission deadline164 days ago11 May 2026, 12:00 BST
- Award decision expected by148 days ago27 May 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts134 days ago11 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST
- Assessment summaries sent95 days ago20 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published20 days ago2 Oct 2026, 08:56 BST
Notice history
10 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 4 Mar 2026- Preliminary market engagement notice published4 Mar 2026, 10:25 GMTUK2
- Tender notice published14 Apr 2026, 13:50 BSTUK4
- Published value published: £400,00014 Apr 2026, 13:50 BST
- Status changed to active14 Apr 2026, 13:50 BST
- Procurement method changed14 Apr 2026, 13:50 BST
- Deadline published: 11 May 2026, 12:00 BST14 Apr 2026, 13:50 BST
- Contract award notice published20 Jul 2026, 15:51 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete20 Jul 2026, 15:51 BST
- Contract signature expected28 Aug 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract details notice published2 Oct 2026, 08:56 BSTUK7
Routine re-releases (4)
- 2026-03: 1 release · 4 Mar 2026
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loop Technology LimitedSME28 Aug 2026 – 31 Mar 2028 | £399,043 inc. VAT | 20 Jul 2026 | Awarded |
Contracts
Contract 1 · Loop Technology LimitedSME
- Signed
- 22 Sept 2026
- Value
- £399,043 inc. VAT
- Period
- 29 Sept 2026 – 31 Mar 2028
- Status
- active
No agreed KPIs: KPI are not required as it is equipment
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1final-stage tenders | 1 | 0 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- LOOP TECHNOLOGY LIMITEDAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (5)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specifications The ITT can be downloaded by registering and expressing your interest on the University's e-tendering system https://in-tendhost.co.uk/Sheffield If you have any questions or comments in relation to this tender they must be submitted via the In-tend System, this can be accessed at…
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender