Scope
Reference
250262
Description
The Future Medicines Institute (FMI) requires a Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) system with advanced capabilities for real-time, label-free analysis of biomolecular interactions.
(Maximum budget available for Equipment inclusive of 3 years extended warranty & annual preventative maintenance is is £330,000).
The primary objective of procuring an SPR device is to enhance FMI’s capacity to characterise binding kinetics, affinity, and specificity of biomolecular interactions, thereby strengthening its protein science and drug discovery workflows.
The proposed system must:
• Provide precise kinetic and affinity measurements for a wide range of biomolecular interactions, including protein–protein, protein–antibody, and protein–small molecule binding.
• Deliver high sensitivity and reproducibility to ensure reliable and quantitative data across experiments.
• Support automation and high-throughput analysis, enabling efficient screening of large sample sets.
• Include robust data analysis software for comprehensive kinetic modelling and data interpretation.
• Offer versatile assay configurations, supporting various experimental formats and immobilisation chemistries.
• Integrate seamlessly with upstream and downstream workflows, including protein purification and structural analysis.
The procurement of a high-performance SPR system directly supports FMI’s broader goals of:
• Accelerating drug discovery through rapid identification and characterisation of therapeutic candidates.
• Enhancing biopharmaceutical research by enabling detailed analysis of binding mechanisms critical to biologics development.
• Facilitating translational research by bridging fundamental molecular interaction studies with clinical and therapeutic applications.
This procurement will provide direct benefit to research scientists by:
• Reducing manual intervention and experimental variability through automation and streamlined workflows.
• Enhancing data quality with high-resolution detection and advanced signal processing for accurate kinetic profiling.
• Please note: - The execution of this tender & contract will be solely dependent on grant funding being received, which is estimated to be confirmed in November 2025.
• No award will be made, or orders issued until the grant funding has been confirmed. If grant funding is not secured, the market will be notified, and this procurement exercise will be stood down.
Contract 1. 250262 - Contract for Supply, Delivery, Installation & Commissioning of a Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) System.
Supplier
Contract value
- £700,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
9 January 2026
Contract dates
- 9 January 2026 to 8 January 2029
- Possible extension to 8 January 2036
- 10 years
Description of possible extension:
option to extend maintenance, software
updates/development, the supply of consumables and ancillary items, beyond this
period for a further period of up to 10 years or the end of useful life of the
equipment.
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 38430000 - Detection and analysis apparatus
- 38432000 - Analysis apparatus
Contract locations
- UKN06 - Belfast
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Supplier
Global Life Sciences Solutions Operations UK Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRYY-4533-ZMZR
Amersham Place
Little Chalfont,
HP7 9NA
United Kingdom
Email: tendersukie@cytiva.com
Region: UKJ13 - Buckinghamshire CC
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. 250262 - Contract for Supply, Delivery, Installation & Commissioning of a Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) System.
Contracting authority
Queen's University Belfast
- Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: 101788
University Rd
Belfast
BT7 1NN
United Kingdom
Contact name: Shauna Ryan
Email: procurement@qub.ac.uk
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland