Official UK procurement notice
CEFAS26-11 Framework for Next Generation Sequencing Services
Authority: Cefas
What is being bought5 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionCefas are seeking to establish a Framework for the provision of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) services, for a variety of NGS analyses methods, to support the delivery of numerous and varied research programmes that are utilising genomics.
The framework is split into 4 Lots and Suppliers can bid for any number of Lots. Cefas intends to award up to 5 Contracts for each Lot, based on Suppliers meeting the required technical and pricing evaluation criteria. Cefas will then call-off from the framework for individual project requirements, as set out in the full Specification of Requirement document in the Bidder Pack. If a Supplier is awarded multiple Lots, one Contract will be awarded to cover the relevant Lots.
The Contract implementation is expected to start in August 2026 for a period of 3 years with the option to extend for 2 further periods of 12 months each.
Prices will be fixed for the initial 3 year period of the Contract. Prices may then be increased on an annual basis if the Contract is extended, in line with CPI.
Lot 1 - Targeted Sequencing
Suppliers will deliver targeted sequencing analyses, such as:
- Amplicon sequencing and metabarcoding, utilising mainly 16S, 18S, COI and ITS markers, but also other custom primers may be required on an ad-hoc basis.
- Library enrichment, such as bait capture/hybrid probe capture techniques.
Lot 2 - Whole Genome
Suppliers will deliver whole genome, metagenomic and transcriptomic sequencing, in applications such as:
- Whole genome/metagenomic sequencing for microbial diversity, microbiome analysis, species identification, pathogen detection, genome assembly, AMR screening, population genetics.
- Transcriptomic/single-cell/spatial transcriptomic sequencing for host-pathogen interactions, functional annotation/classification, metabolic pathways, gene expression.
Lot 3 - Long-Read Sequencing
Suppliers will provide long-read sequencing analysis, using either PacBio or Oxford Nanopore Technologies. This may be for several different applications, mainly studies of:
- Microbial diversity, microbiome analysis, species identification, pathogen detection
- Whole-genome assembly, AMR screening, population genetics
- Nanopore-specific - Methylation sequencing, epigenetics
Lot 4 - Ad-Hoc Requirements
Suppliers will ad-hoc requests, i.e. those that do not fit in the prior lot categories. This would most likely be utilised when a unique/proprietary technology or analysis is required, such as RAD-Seq, that Cefas cannot undertake in-house.
Specifics would be detailed in the individual project request via the call-off process, which will be a mini-competition process as set out in Appendix 4.
AWARDED SUPPLIERS -
Lot 1
Biomarker Technologies
University of Northumbria
University of Exeter
QIB Extra
Edinburgh Genetics
University of Plymouth
Lot 2
Biomarker Technologies
Novogene
University of Exeter
Edinburgh Genetics
QIB Extra
Lot 3
University of Northumbria
University of Exeter
Biomarker Technologies
Edinburgh Genetics
Edinburgh Innovations
Lot 4
Biomarker Technologies
Earlham Institute
Novogene
Source BioScience
**Please note due to system constraints please note that the actual number of assessed tenders for lot 4 was 4***
CPV: Research laboratory services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Closed framework
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Places
- up to 20 suppliers · 13 bids on the busiest of 4 lots (0.7 per place) · 10 appointed
- Framework period
3 yrs · up to 5 yrs from 10 Aug 2026, Initial Contract period of 3 years to allow consideration and evaluation of the market prior to extending for up to 2 further periods of 1 year each. Significant effort required from Supplier and Buyer to re tender if not required.
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- Not applicable.
Published description of the framework
As per Bidder Pack documents.
Lots and requirements (5)Procurement structure
5 lots · all with a published value · a supplier may bid for at most 4 and win at most 4 of them · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lotEvery one of these 4 lots carries the same published figure, £250,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.
Lot #1Targeted SequencingAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
As per Bidder Pack.
- Technical & professional ability
As per Bidder Pack.
Lot #2Whole GenomeAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
As per Bidder Pack.
- Technical & professional ability
As per Bidder Pack.
Lot #3Long-Read SequencingAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
As per Bidder Pack.
- Technical & professional ability
As per Bidder Pack.
Lot #4Ad-Hoc RequirementsAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
As per Bidder Pack.
- Technical & professional ability
As per Bidder Pack.
Lot #5DUMMY LOT - PLEASE IGNORERenewalPublished value£0
Dummy Lot only due to system error with publishing notice
- Economic & financial standing
As per Bidder Pack.
- Technical & professional ability
As per Bidder Pack.
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 sub-criteria (3)
- Technical: 65%
- Cost: 25%
- Social Value: 10%
Published award criteria (3)
- Technical
- Social Value
- Cost
- Economic & financial standing
As per Bidder Pack.
- Technical & professional ability
As per Bidder Pack.
- Price carries 25 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 2.5 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- “CEFAS26-11 Framework for Next Generation Sequencing Services” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 20 suppliers, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
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
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 14 May 2026, 08:23 BST
- Last source update
- 11 Sept 2026, 10:37 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 20 Jul 2026
- Authority reference
C33861- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-044189- Latest notice
- Contract award notice (UK6)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-069850Find a Tender- Contract terms summary
As per Bidder Pack documents.
- Risks
Supply issues of lab consumables such as conflicts impacting shipping and costs, could cause delays in delivery by the Supplier and / or significant cost increases to the Supplier. Unable to fully mitigate events beyond control of either party and therefore there could be changes required to the Contract to accommodate delivery delays or increased costs. Risk sits with Buyer and Supplier.
Laboratory methods and / or equipment may become obsolete through innovation, causing potentially reduced impact of science outputs if the latest technology and methods cannot be provided. Unable to foresee future advances but could require reasonable scope and cost change to the Contract to ensure it is still fit for purpose. Risk sits with Buyer and Supplier.
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 19 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 10 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- call-off levy · Not applicable.
All bids to be submitted via the above eProcurement system.
Timeline
14 May 2026 → 11 Sept 2026 · 7 dates- Tender notice published163 days ago14 May 2026, 08:23 BST
- Clarification questions by136 days ago10 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends127 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown19 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
- Award decision expected by95 days ago20 Jul 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts75 days ago10 Aug 2026, 00:00 BST
- Assessment summaries sent43 days ago11 Sept 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published43 days ago11 Sept 2026, 10:37 BST
Notice history
4 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 14 May 2026- Tender notice published14 May 2026, 08:23 BSTUK4
- Contract award notice published11 Sept 2026, 10:37 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete11 Sept 2026, 10:37 BST
- Contract signature expected30 Sept 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Across several lots1 award | |||
| Biomarker Technologies (BMK) GmbHSME, Earlham Institute, Edinburgh Innovations Limited, Northumbria University, Novogene (UK) Company Limited, Source Bioscience UK LtdSME +4 more1 Oct 2026 – 30 Sept 2029 · up to 30 Sept 2031Extensions: 2 x 12 Month extensions | £1,000,000 | 10 Sept 2026 | Awarded |
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Targeted Sequencing | 13final-stage tenders | 7 | 0 | — |
| 2 · Whole Genome | 12final-stage tenders | 8 | 0 | — |
| 3 · Long-Read Sequencing | 12final-stage tenders | 9 | 0 | — |
| 4 · Ad-Hoc Requirements | 10final-stage tenders | 4 | 0 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Framework contractors & participating bidders
10 commercial parties on the notice- Biomarker Technologies (BMK) GmbHFramework contractor
- Earlham InstituteFramework contractor
- Edinburgh Genetics LimitedFramework contractor
- Edinburgh Innovations LimitedFramework contractor
- Northumbria UniversityFramework contractor
- Novogene (UK) Company LimitedFramework contractor
- QIB Extra LimitedFramework contractor
- Source BioScience UK LimitedFramework contractor
- University of ExeterFramework contractor
- University of PlymouthFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender