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UKRI-5804 Microscopy Equipment Framework

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) · Central government

In brief

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) has announced plans to buy laboratory equipment work. This is an early notice: there is nothing to bid on yet, but it tells you a tender may follow.

It is a framework worth up to £9,000,000 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 46 months, starting 5 November 2026.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Competition

Typical: a median of 3 bids per contract for this buyer (from 102 awards in the last 12 months).

Framework

Winning puts you on a list of suppliers the buyer can call on; it does not guarantee work. The £9,000,000 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.

What the notice says

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is looking to establish a contract for a period of up to four years for the supply and associated services of microscopy equipment for potentially multiple suppliers on multiple lots. This will be across all of our locations including Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Didcot and Daresbury Laboratory in Warrington. To support the development and shaping of this upcoming requirement, UKRI is seeking input from the market. Suppliers are therefore invited to complete a questionnaire to help inform the structure and scope of the future contract. If you are interested in participating, please email stfcprocurement@ukri.org with the subject line “UKRI-5804 Microscopy Equipment Questionnaire” to request a copy of the questionnaire. A copy will then be issued for completion. Completed questionnaires should be returned by 10th August 2026. The total for this requirement is £9,000,000.00 excluding VAT however please be aware that this value is an estimate and not guaranteed.

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
  3. Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.

Timeline

  1. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 069896-2026
  2. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 072975-2026

Last time this was bought

UKRI-6250 Service Contract for a Multiphoton Microscope

Awarded
23 July 2026
Value
Not stated, or split across lots
Contract ends
24 June 2030

Matched on UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), the type of work and the title; it may be a related contract rather than the same one. Check the notice to be sure.

About the buyer

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)Last 12 months

Procurements

1896

Awards

1737

Suppliers it has used most for laboratory equipment

All tenders and awards from UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)

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From notice 069896-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 23 July 2026, last updated 3 August 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.