Official UK procurement notice
Servicing and Calibration Services for Advanced Manufacturing and Research Equipment
Authority: University of Strathclyde (Education)
What is being bought6 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionIn accordance with Regulation 41 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, the University is issuing this notice to undertake Preliminary Market Consultation prior to commencing any live procurement process.
The University of Strathclyde (UoS) seeks notes of interest from suppliers capable of delivering comprehensive maintenance and calibration services that supports the safe, compliant, and reliable operation of specialist research, engineering, laboratory, manufacturing, and facilities equipment.
For the purposes of this scope, the University intends to explore options for a unified service provision covering:
-Planned preventative maintenance and servicing
-Calibration and inspection
This requirement will apply across multiple operational lots and will encompass a diverse range of specialist assets, including research instrumentation, manufacturing and automation systems, thermal processing equipment, metrology tools, and associated infrastructure.
The University is undertaking this Preliminary Market Consultation to inform future sourcing options and to understand supplier capability, service models, and technical approaches for supporting a complex and varied equipment estate. The future solution is expected to provide robust service delivery, modern reporting and compliance assurance, and effective integration with the University’s internal processes and systems.
CPV: Industrial inspection services · Industrial machinery · Industrial or laboratory furnaces, incinerators and ovens · Industrial robots · Repair and maintenance services for non-electrical machinery · Repair and maintenance services of X-ray equipment · Repair and maintenance services of cooler groups · Repair and maintenance services of cranes · Repair and maintenance services of electrical distribution equipment · Repair and maintenance services of electrical machinery, apparatus and associated equipment · Repair and maintenance services of machinery · Repair and maintenance services of measuring, testing and checking apparatus · +3 more
Lots and requirements (6)Procurement structure
6 lots · no lot values publishedLot #1Thermal & Process EquipmentPlanned
This lot will include:
Servicing and calibration of thermally driven manufacturing equipment, temperature-controlled processing systems, and associated process-critical thermal infrastructure used in research, manufacturing, and industrial processing environments.
Scope:
Covers all equipment where heat generation, thermal transfer, controlled atmosphere, temperature stability, or thermal cycling are fundamental to process operation or product performance. Includes furnaces, ovens, autoclaves, thermal reactors, heat treatment systems, and process-linked cooling or thermal regulation equipment directly supporting manufacturing or laboratory operations.
Applies to systems used for thermal processing, curing, sintering, drying, melting, coating, deposition, environmental conditioning, and other temperature-dependent industrial or research activities, including associated process monitoring and thermal control hardware.
Includes categories:
Thin Film / Surface Engineering
Thermal Processing / Heat Treatment
Furnaces, Ovens & Controlled Atmosphere Systems
Vacuum & High-Temperature Processing Equipment
Autoclaves, Reactors & Thermal Curing Systems
Thermal Analysis & Process Heating Equipment
Cooling / Thermal Control Systems (process-linked only)
Chillers, Heat Exchangers & Process Cooling Equipment
Temperature Control & Thermal Regulation Systems
Utilities / Infrastructure (temperature/process control elements only)
Process Gas, Vacuum & Thermal Support Systems
Thermal Monitoring & Process Control Hardware Additional information: Please note that the proposed lot structure remains under review and may be subject to revision as the procurement approach is finalised.
Lot #2Heavy Manufacturing & Forming SystemsPlanned
This lot will include, however, will not be limited to:
Servicing, inspection, and calibration of heavy manufacturing equipment, deformation processing machinery, and associated material handling and lifting systems used in large-scale industrial manufacturing operations.
Scope:
Covers large-scale mechanical and hydraulic systems involving high-force processing, deformation, forming, forging, pressing, rolling, or controlled movement of heavy materials and components. Includes associated lifting, transfer, and handling equipment directly supporting manufacturing operations.
Applies to equipment used for bulk material processing, high-load mechanical operations, structural forming, and movement of large or heavy workpieces within manufacturing, fabrication, or industrial processing environments.
Includes categories:
Forging / Forming / Deformation Processing
Forging Presses & Radial Forging Machines
Flow Forming, Rolling & Heavy Press Systems
Hydraulic & Mechanical Forming Equipment
Composite & Structural Forming Presses
Heavy Industrial Ovens & Process Equipment Associated with Forming Operations
Material Handling / Lifting
Overhead Cranes & Hoisting Systems
Forklifts, Pallet Handling & Transfer Systems
Scissor Lifts & Heavy Positioning Equipment
Production-Linked Lifting & Manipulation Systems
Heavy Duty Hydraulic Support Systems and Ancillary Equipment Additional information: Please note that the proposed lot structure remains under review and may be subject to revision as the procurement approach is finalised
Lot #3Precision Manufacturing SystemsPlanned
This lot will include:
Servicing and calibration of precision manufacturing equipment used for subtractive, additive, hybrid, and finishing operations associated with high-value component manufacture and prototype development.
Scope:
Covers equipment used for precision part manufacture, material removal, additive layer deposition, hybrid manufacturing, component finishing, and associated post-processing operations. Includes CNC machining systems, EDM equipment, laser processing systems, additive manufacturing platforms, machine-integrated automation, and specialist finishing or cleaning equipment directly supporting manufacturing processes.
Applies to equipment where dimensional accuracy, repeatability, surface integrity, or controlled manufacturing processes are critical to component production, research, prototyping, or low-volume manufacture.
Includes categories:
Machining (Subtractive Manufacturing)
CNC Milling, Turning & Multi-Axis Systems
EDM, Laser Cutting & Precision Material Processing
Additive Manufacturing (AM)
Metal & Polymer AM Systems
Hybrid Manufacturing Systems
AM Powder Handling & Depowdering Equipment
Composite & Advanced Material Processing Equipment
Cleaning / Post-Processing
Surface Finishing, Polishing & Blasting Systems
Precision Cutting, Grinding & Sawing Equipment
Machine Tooling, Rotary Tables & Workholding Systems
Machine-Integrated Cooling & Process Support Systems" Additional information: Please note that the proposed lot structure remains under review and may be subject to revision as the procurement approach is finalised.
Lot #4Joining, Robotics & AutomationPlanned
This lot will include:
Servicing and calibration of automated production systems, robotic platforms, motion control systems, and joining technologies used in manufacturing, fabrication, research, and automated process development.
Scope:
Covers integrated manufacturing and automation systems involving robotic movement, machine control, automated positioning, process integration, and permanent joining technologies. Includes industrial robots, collaborative robots, automated welding systems, robotic cells, motion control equipment, and associated control, sensing, and safety systems directly linked to automated manufacturing operations.
Applies to equipment where automation, programmable control, coordinated motion, or joining processes form a core operational function within manufacturing, assembly, fabrication, or research environments.
Includes categories:
Welding / Joining
MIG, TIG, Resistance & Advanced Welding Systems
Automated & Robotic Welding Cells
Robotics & Automation
Industrial Robots & Collaborative Robots (Cobots)
Robotic Positioners, Turntables & Motion Systems
Robot Controllers & Automation Hardware
Automated Manufacturing & Process Cells
Machine Vision & Robotic Inspection Systems
Process Monitoring & Automation Interfaces
Integrated Control & Safety Systems (process-linked)
Automated Material Handling Associated with Production Cells Additional information: Please note that the proposed lot structure remains under review and may be subject to revision as the procurement approach is finalised.
Lot #5Metrology, Testing & InstrumentationPlanned
This lot will include:
Servicing, calibration and verification of measurement, inspection, analytical, monitoring, and material testing systems used for research, manufacturing validation, quality assurance, and process verification.
Scope:
Covers all equipment used to measure, inspect, validate, monitor, characterise, record, or analyse materials, components, products, processes, or environmental conditions. Includes dimensional metrology systems, analytical laboratory instrumentation, calibration equipment and artefacts, sensors, data acquisition hardware, and mechanical/electrical testing systems.
Applies to standalone measurement and testing assets used for quality control, R&D, inspection, certification, condition monitoring, laboratory analysis, and standards verification, including associated software, probes, detectors, fixtures, and instrumentation interfaces.
Includes categories:
Metrology / Inspection / Calibration
Coordinate Measuring & Optical Measurement Systems
Surface & Dimensional Measurement Equipment
Calibration Standards & Artefacts
Materials Testing & Analysis
Mechanical, Fatigue & Hardness Testing Systems
Thermal Analysis & Characterisation Equipment
Analytical & Laboratory Instrumentation
Sensors / Instrumentation / DAQ
Electrical & Electronic Test Equipment
Environmental & Process Monitoring Instrumentation
Data Acquisition, Logging & Signal Conditioning Systems
NDT & Condition Monitoring Systems Additional information: Please note that the proposed lot structure remains under review and may be subject to revision as the procurement approach is finalised.
Lot #6Facilities, EHS & Site Support SystemsPlanned
This lot will include:
Servicing of site-wide infrastructure, environmental control, safety systems, utilities, and general support equipment required to maintain safe, compliant, and operational research, laboratory, workshop, and manufacturing environments.
Scope:
Covers non-process-specific systems and support infrastructure that enable safe operation, environmental compliance, personnel protection, and facility functionality across the site. Includes building services, environmental management systems, extraction and ventilation systems not directly integrated into manufacturing processes, storage and handling infrastructure, utility distribution equipment, and general site support assets.
Applies to equipment primarily supporting facilities operation, health & safety, environmental control, occupational hygiene, storage, or general workplace functionality rather than direct production or manufacturing activity.
Includes categories:
Safety / Environmental Systems
LEV & General Ventilation Systems
Fume Cupboards & Air Handling (non-process specific)
Gas Detection & Monitoring Systems
Storage & Environmental Control
Utilities / Infrastructure (non-process systems)
Compressed Air & Site Utility Systems
Electrical Infrastructure & General Power Distribution
Facility Support Equipment
General / Uncategorized
Welfare, Laboratory & Non-Production Support Equipment Additional information: Please note that the proposed lot structure remains under review and may be subject to revision as the procurement approach is finalised.
Pipeline intelligence · planning stage: how this market runs before the tender is published
How University of Strathclyde buys Repair and maintenance services of machinery (CPV 5053), and who usually turns up
University of Strathclyde’s own published record, next to the published market for the same work. Frameworks and DPS are kept out: they attract a different number of bids. Whole-market view: Repair and maintenance services of machinery (CPV 5053) →
How the contest usually goes
Winner shares use published awards; bid and price charts use contested lots.
i
How often small and medium firms win.
Share of awards where the winner’s size is known.
The counts under this question show how many awards have a known supplier size.
Small firms have won here. Neither number says whether you qualify; it describes who has been winning.
i
How often local firms win similar work.
Winners with a registered address in the delivery region, out of awards with a known address.
Here, local means registered in Scotland.
A local branch does not count if the registered address is elsewhere.
Most of this buyer’s recorded winners are registered outside Scotland.
i
How long buyers here take to decide after bids close.
Middle value in days from the deadline to the first award notice, on competitions that published both dates.
Only decided tenders count, so slow ones still waiting are not in.
Half of these awards were announced within 47 days of the bid deadline.
i
How often work is awarded with no recorded rival.
Direct awards and tenders where every published lot count shows one bid.
Both shares are minimums: some awards have no bid count.
Thin markets produce this too; it is not proof of a tailored specification.
Direct awards or one recorded bid are common here. Check the route before spending time on a bid.
How many bids did past lots attract?
i
How many bids past lots received.
Each colour is a bid-count range. Only competed lots with a published count are included.
Past bids do not predict this tender.
1 bid13% / 10%
2–338% / 29%
4–635% / 52%
7+15% / 10%
How did awards compare with estimates?
i
Where winning prices landed against estimates.
Each colour shows awards below, close to or above the published estimate, one lot at a time.
Past prices are a guide, not a bid price.
Below estimate41% / 43%
Within ±2%55% / 43%
Above estimate5% / 14%
Assess each lot i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
Open a lot for its forecast, this buyer’s previous supplier and possible competitors, from published award history, not a bid list
Lot #1Thermal & Process EquipmentCPV 50530000Estimate not published
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative. The bar shows 21 past lots.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid10%
2–329%
4–652%
7+10%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
Candidate suppliers for this notice have not been worked out yet, so this is not a verdict that nobody fits.
Lot #2Heavy Manufacturing & Forming SystemsCPV 50530000Estimate not published
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative. The bar shows 21 past lots.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid10%
2–329%
4–652%
7+10%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
Candidate suppliers for this notice have not been worked out yet, so this is not a verdict that nobody fits.
Lot #3Precision Manufacturing SystemsCPV 50530000Estimate not published
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative. The bar shows 21 past lots.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid10%
2–329%
4–652%
7+10%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
Candidate suppliers for this notice have not been worked out yet, so this is not a verdict that nobody fits.
Lot #4Joining, Robotics & AutomationCPV 50530000Estimate not published
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative. The bar shows 21 past lots.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid10%
2–329%
4–652%
7+10%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
Candidate suppliers for this notice have not been worked out yet, so this is not a verdict that nobody fits.
Lot #5Metrology, Testing & InstrumentationCPV 50530000Estimate not published
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative. The bar shows 21 past lots.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid10%
2–329%
4–652%
7+10%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
Candidate suppliers for this notice have not been worked out yet, so this is not a verdict that nobody fits.
Lot #6Facilities, EHS & Site Support SystemsCPV 50530000Estimate not published
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative. The bar shows 21 past lots.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid10%
2–329%
4–652%
7+10%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
Candidate suppliers for this notice have not been worked out yet, so this is not a verdict that nobody fits.
About this data
- Source. Official UK public procurement notices (Find a Tender), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. New notices arrive through the day; the figures are rebuilt nightly.
- Two views, kept apart. The authority’s own track record and the wider market for the same kind of work sit side by side and are never mixed. Where the local picture is too thin, a figure widens to a broader market and says which one it used.
- Forecasts are labelled. The price forecast and its range, possible competitors and the earlier-work matches are our estimates from past awards: not published facts, not win chances and not price advice. Official notices do not say who is bidding.
- Every figure shows what it rests on. Not every notice publishes a bid count, a value or a delivery region, so each figure carries the number of records behind it, and one built on few records is marked as such. The on a figure explains it; the counting rules are in the methodology. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record · publisher note attached- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Planned procurement
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 22 May 2026, 16:45 BST
- Last source update
- 22 May 2026, 16:45 BST
- Authority reference
UOS-43018-2026- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-048252- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a232Find a Tender
Publisher note: Please note, the lot structure is still to be confirmed, and is therefore subject to change. The University of Strathclyde may conduct further market engagement with interested parties. As such, all interested parties must register their interest no later than the 5 June 2026. NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=832448. (SC Ref:832448)
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- —
Timeline
22 May 2026 → 30 Jun 2026 · 2 dates- Notice published152 days ago22 May 2026, 16:45 BST
- Tender notice expected113 days ago30 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Pipeline notice- Awards (0)
- No award published
- Contracts (0)
- No contract published
- Bid statistics
- No aggregate bid statistics published
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications
Official links; attachments are not copiedNo document links were published on the notice.