Official UK procurement notice
Purchase of High Throughput Sonication Systems (Covaris) including Associated Consumables and Maintenance
Authority: Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (Central government)·On behalf of: NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership-Procurement Services (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust)
Sectors: Medical Devices & Pharma (33)Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) (38) Delivery: Wales (UKL22)
Budget not disclosed Value not published
Submission deadline Not published
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionCardiff and vale University Health Board, on behalf of the All Wales Genomics Service, intends to award a contract to Covaris , Inc. for the supply of a high throughput sonication system to support Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) workflows. The system is required to process samples in plate formats for downstream NGS library preparation and to expand capacity for somatic cancer testing services in Wales. Covaris is the sole manufacturer of instruments using patented Adaptive Focused Acoustics (AFA) technology, which is essential for achieving the required reproducibility and performance. No alternative suppliers were identified through market engagement and the equipment is not available via national frameworks. The procurement will cover supply of instrument, consumables and maintenance for three years (with warranty), with option to extend for up to two additional years. This notice is issued in accordance with procurement transparency obligations and to ensure compliance with public procurement regulations.
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedLot #1Lot 1Awarded
33140000 Medical consumables38000000 Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)38400000 Instruments for checking physical characteristics
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Direct award
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Notice status
- Cancelled
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- No (one-off requirement)
- First published
- 1 Sept 2025, 12:05 BST
- Last source update
- 1 Sept 2025, 12:05 BST
- Authority reference
CAV-DCO (25-26) 71- Latest notice
- Procurement termination notice (UK12)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-058bc5
- Why no open competition
- Single Suppliers Intellectual Property Exclusive Rights; Single Suppliers Technical Reasons
- Published justification
Covaris Inc. holds exclusive intellectual property rights over its propriety Adaptive Focused Acoustics technology, which is integral to its sample preparation systems. The company owns over 125 issued and pending patents covering acoustic treatment, sample processing, and instrument design. The patents ensure that no other supplier can legally replicate or offer equivalent technology. Covaris is also the original more…
equipment manufacturer (OEM) of its instruments and consumables. It does not license production or distribution to third parties, making it the sole legal source for these products and services. Covaris equipment is uniquely engineered to support specific workflows in genomics, proteomics, and epigenetics. The AFA technology enables highly controlled and reproducible sample preparation, which is essential for down stream applications such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and cancer diagnostics.
Review and risk notes
- Risks
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, on behalf of the All Wales Genomics Service, requires the supply, installation, and maintenance of a high throughput sonication system manufactured by Covaris, Inc., utilising proprietary Adaptive Focused Acoustics (AFA) technology essential for reproducible and consistent more…
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) workflows. The contract scope covers the delivery of the instrument, associated consumables for three years, and a full warranty including servicing and repairs, with the option to extend for up to two additional years. The system must process samples in plate format to support NGS library preparation and expand somatic cancer testing capacity in Wales, achieving a minimum of 95% uptime availability (excluding planned maintenance), reproducibility across runs compliant with All Wales Genomics Service standards, and seamless compatibility with existing workflows. Supplier obligations include on-site delivery, installation, calibration, commissioning, and validation of performance; provision of initial training for technical staff; access to technical support and software or firmware updates; and guaranteed consumables supply for the full contract term. Performance will be monitored against key indicators, including ≥95% uptime, ≥98% QC compliance in NGS preparation, 24-hour initial response to service requests, and resolution or interim fix of critical failures within 72 hours. This contract is issued in compliance with public procurement regulations, acknowledging Covaris as the sole manufacturer of the required AFA-based technology.
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics — not a forecastAwards 1
| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CovarisPurhcase of high Throughput Sonication Systems (Covaris) Including Associated consumables and maintenance 1 Jan 2026 — 31 Dec 2029 · up to 31 Dec 2031Extensions: The Authority shall have the option, exercisable at its sole discretion, to extend the Contract for up to two (2) additional years, such extension(s) to be awarded in annual increments of twelve (12) months each. | £300,000 | 1 Sept 2025 | CancelledThe contract will not be signed as the Transparency Notice is being terminated. This is due to a change in the description of the contract’s requirements, which now relate solely to the provision of consumables and maintenance services, rather than the original scope which included the purchase of equipment. |
Notice history
6 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 21 Aug 2025- Contract signature expected1 Oct 2025, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Procurement termination notice published1 Sept 2025, 12:05 BSTUK12
- Status changed1 Sept 2025, 12:05 BST
- Procurement method changed1 Sept 2025, 12:05 BST
- Buyer details updated1 Sept 2025, 12:05 BST
- Transparency notice published21 Aug 2025, 08:55 BSTUK5
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
3 public bodies on the noticeOther public bodies
- NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership-Procurement Services (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust)Beneficiary authorityView profile →
- NHS Wales shared service partnership hosted by Velindre university NHSProcuring entityIn this procurement, NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP) - Procurement Services, hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust, acted as the central contracting authority responsible for managing and publishing the transparency notice. Their role included overseeing the procurement process on behalf of the relevant health board, ensuring compliance with the Procurement Act 2023, and providingView profile →
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- CovarisAwarded supplierView supplier profile →
Official documents & specifications (3)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Conflict of interest declarationNot published
Notices published for this procedure
- Procurement termination notice Procurement termination notice on Find a Tender
- Transparency notice Transparency notice on Find a Tender