Find a TenderPlanned procurementPreliminary market engagement notice
Published 2 Oct 2026, 14:03 BST

Official UK procurement notice

High Value Laboratory Equipment

Authority: North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium (Public body)

Framework agreementGoodsAbove thresholdSME suitable
Framework ceiling (notional)£150,000,000framework ceiling, not attributable revenue
Tender notice expected 24 Feb 2027from the planned procurement notice
Framework period 2 yrsup to 4 yrs with extensions · starts 1 Aug 2027

What is being bought

Published requirement description

NWUPC is undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform the development of the strategy and tender documentation for the retender of the High Value Laboratory Equipment framework which is due to expire on 31st July 2027. The forthcoming 2027 framework agreement includes the following proposed lot structure, though please note this is not yet finalised and is subject to change before tender publication: Lot 1 : Magnetic Resonance Equipment including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. Lot 2: X-Ray, Imaging, Elemental & Micro Analysis Equipment and Microscopy Instruments including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. Lot 3: Spectroscopy Equipment including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. Lot 4: Mechanical, Thermal and Physical Testing Equipment including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. Lot 5: Laser Equipment including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. NWUPC are seeking the input of the market through the use of an engagement survey which is available at the following link: https://fyczm.share-eu1.hsforms.com/2AI4cXKSlStie7hVZLz9Jow The survey will close on 18th October 2026 at 23:59pm. Prior to completing the survey, please read the supporting information on the current sector agreement for High Value Laboratory Equipment available at: https://www.nwupc.ac.uk/nwupc-updates/preliminary-market-engagement-opportunity-high-value-laboratory-equipment-tender/ Additionally, a market engagement Q&A Drop-In Session shall be held on 26th October 2026 at 10am via Microsoft Teams; joining information is below: Microsoft Teams meeting Join here: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3912949596682931?p=utoKfaKoRuvvYYr4PT Meeting ID: 391 294 959 668 293 1 / Passcode: r3yC38uJ

CPV: Checking and testing apparatus · Cytometers · Diffraction apparatus · Electron microscopes · Fluid mechanics equipment · Industrial lasers · Instruments for checking physical characteristics · Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) · Lasers · Machines and apparatus for testing and measuring · Magnetic resonance imaging equipment · Medical laser other than for surgery

How this framework works

From the published notice
Framework period
2 yrs · up to 4 yrs from 1 Aug 2027

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published
Lot #1Lot 1PlannedRenewal 2 yrsSME
Contract period: 1 Aug 2027 — 31 Jul 2029 (2 yrs) · up to 4 yrs with extensionsEligibility: SME eligibleDelivery: UK
Extensions
Extension options published
18142000 Safety visors33111400 X-ray fluoroscopy devices33113000 Magnetic resonance imaging equipment33114000 Spectroscopy devices33115000 Tomography devices33128000 Medical laser other than for surgery

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Goods
Notice status
Planned procurement
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Framework agreement
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
No (one-off requirement)
First published
2 Oct 2026, 14:03 BST
Last source update
2 Oct 2026, 14:03 BST
Authority reference
LAB3020 NW
Latest notice
Preliminary market engagement notice (UK2)
Classification (CPV)
Checking and testing apparatusCytometersDiffraction apparatusElectron microscopesFluid mechanics equipmentIndustrial lasersInstruments for checking physical characteristicsLaboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)LasersMachines and apparatus for testing and measuring+2 more
Delivery area
UK
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-077fcd

How it was run

Appointment period ends
—

Timeline

4 published dates · Europe/London
  1. Planning notice publishedearlier today
    2 Oct 2026, 14:03 BST
  2. Market engagementin 24 days
    26 Oct 2026, 23:59 GMT
    https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=109683&TID=100114723&B= NWUPC is undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform the development of the strategy and tender documentation for the retender of the High Value Laboratory Equipment framework which is due to expire on 31st July more…2027. The forthcoming 2027 framework agreement includes the following proposed lot structure, though please note this is not yet finalised and is subject to change before tender publication: Lot 1 : Magnetic Resonance Equipment including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. Lot 2: X-Ray, Imaging, Elemental & Micro Analysis Equipment and Microscopy Instruments including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. Lot 3: Spectroscopy Equipment including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. Lot 4: Mechanical, Thermal and Physical Testing Equipment including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. Lot 5: Laser Equipment including Associated Equipment, Accessories, Consumables, Maintenance and Servicing of Equipment. NWUPC are seeking the input of the market through the use of an engagement survey which is available at the following link: https://fyczm.share-eu1.hsforms.com/2AI4cXKSlStie7hVZLz9Jow The survey will close on 18th October 2026 at 23:59pm. Prior to completing the survey, please read the supporting information on the current sector agreement for High Value Laboratory Equipment available at: https://www.nwupc.ac.uk/nwupc-updates/preliminary-market-engagement-opportunity-high-value-laboratory-equipment-tender/ Additionally, a market engagement Q&A Drop-In Session shall be held on 26th October 2026 at 10am via Microsoft Teams; joining information is below: Microsoft Teams meeting Join here: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3912949596682931?p=utoKfaKoRuvvYYr4PT Meeting ID: 391 294 959 668 293 1 / Passcode: r3yC38uJ
  3. Tender notice expectedin 145 days
    24 Feb 2027, 23:59 GMT
  4. Contract startsin 302 days
    1 Aug 2027, 01:00 BST

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Pipeline notice
Awards (0)
No award published
Contracts (0)
No contract published
Bid statistics
No aggregate bid statistics published

Notice history

1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender
  1. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    2 Oct 2026, 14:03 BSTUK2

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PLZJ-2257-TGCV Salford Innovation Forum- Room 210, 51 Frederick Road, Salford, North West, M6 6FP +44 1612348003

Official documents & specifications (1)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure