- Scope of the procurement
- Lot 1. Glassware
- Lot 2. Filtration Plastics
- Lot 4. Pipettes and Tips
- Lot 7. Bio-Chemicals
- Lot 9. One-Stop Shop Consumables and Chemicals
- Lot 3. Molecular Biology and Tissue Culture Plastics
- Lot 5. Solvents, Alcohol and Acids
- Lot 6. Fine Chemicals and Deuterated Solvents
- Lot 8. Inorganic Chemicals and Salts
Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
APUC Limited
Unit 27, Stirling Business Centre, Wellgreen
Stirling
FK8 2DZ
Contact
Ola McIntyre
Telephone
+44 1314428930
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM77 - Perth & Kinross and Stirling
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10402
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Laboratory Consumables and Chemicals
Reference number
LAB1034 AP
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 33793000 - Laboratory glassware
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The Authority is seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of those laboratory consumables and chemicals required for the efficient functioning of laboratories in the Scottish HE/FE sector, NHS Scotland and other Scottish public sector organisations. For the purposes of this exercise, consumables and chemicals include but are not limited to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), glassware, filtration plastics, molecular biology plastics, tissue culture plastics, pipette tips and pipettors, gloves, solvents, fine chemicals, alcohol and acids, bio-chemicals, inorganic chemicals and salts and green chemicals. The supply of all products should include a provision for take-back schemes where possible.
The Authority is seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of supply of laboratory consumables and chemicals required for the efficient functioning of laboratories across the further and higher education sector, NHS Scotland and other public bodies in Scotland. This includes Full and Associate Members, and future members of APUC Ltd.(Advanced Procurement for Universities & Colleges): https://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk/?#!/members. Other participating bodies include:
- NHS National Procurement and its members
- East Dunbartonshire Council
- Fife Council,
- East Ayrshire Council,
- City of Edinburgh Council
- Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture – SASA
- National Galleries of Scotland
- National Records of Scotland
- Marine Directorate.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £40,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Glassware
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 33793000 - Laboratory glassware
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance
Across Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Authority is seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of laboratory glassware including, but not limited to: autoclavable accessories, beakers, centrifuge tubes, microscope slides, flasks, funnels, petri dishes, test tubes.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 40%
Price - Weighting: 60%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
24
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes
Identification of the project
Potential EU funding may be used to procure under this Framework Agreement.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Filtration Plastics
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance
Across Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Authority is seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of filtration plastics including, but not limited to: bottle top filters, cell strainers, vacuum filters, funnels.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 40%
Price - Weighting: 60%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
24
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes
Identification of the project
Potential EU funding may be used to procure under this Framework Agreement.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Pipettes and Tips
Lot No
4
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 38437000 - Laboratory pipettes and accessories
- 38437100 - Pipettes
- 38437110 - Pipette tips
- 38437120 - Pipette stands
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance
Across Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Authority is seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of Pipettes and Tips including, but not limited to: filter membranes, micropipettes, pipettor controllers, mechanical pipettors.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 40%
Price - Weighting: 60%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
24
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes
Identification of the project
Potential EU funding may be used to procure under this Framework Agreement.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Bio-Chemicals
Lot No
7
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 24320000 - Basic organic chemicals
- 24327000 - Miscellaneous organic chemicals
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance
Across Scotland.
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Authority is seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of Bio-chemicals including, but not limited to: a variety of bio-chemicals such as Organic Compounds, Alkane, Antibiotics, Buffers and Supplements suitable for a range of laboratory applications.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 40%
Price - Weighting: 60%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
24
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes
Identification of the project
Potential EU funding may be used to procure under this Framework Agreement.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
One-Stop Shop Consumables and Chemicals
Lot No
9
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 18424300 - Disposable gloves
- 18424000 - Gloves
- 33696500 - Laboratory reagents
- 33793000 - Laboratory glassware
- 38437000 - Laboratory pipettes and accessories
- 35113400 - Protective and safety clothing
- 33141310 - Syringes
- 24300000 - Basic inorganic and organic chemicals
- 24310000 - Basic inorganic chemicals
- 24320000 - Basic organic chemicals
- 24327000 - Miscellaneous organic chemicals
- 24322500 - Alcohol
- 44832000 - Solvents
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance
Across Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot will cover all types of consumables and chemicals commonly used in laboratories including those detailed in the Lot descriptions for Lots 1-8. This lot will also include laboratory PPE products (lab coats, sleeve protectors, eye care supplies, head protection, safety glasses and eye protection, protective aprons, respirators, face masks, footwear), gloves (nitrile, vinyl, latex, rubber, neoprene, safety) and general laboratory consumables (cleaning cloths, wipes, lab trays, spatulas, histological blades, tools, stir bars, syringes, labels, racks, stoppers, tubing, vial caps).
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 40%
Price - Weighting: 60%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
24
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes
Identification of the project
Potential EU funding may be used to procure under this Framework Agreement.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Molecular Biology and Tissue Culture Plastics
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance
Across Scotland.
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Authority is seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of plastic consumables including, but not limited to: bacteria testing supplies, microcentrifuge tubes, test tubes, culture tubes, vacutainers, cell scrapers, tubes, dishes, plates, media bottles, inserts.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 40%
Price - Weighting: 60%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
24
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes
Identification of the project
Potential EU funding may be used to procure under this Framework Agreement.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Solvents, Alcohol and Acids
Lot No
5
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 44832000 - Solvents
- 33696500 - Laboratory reagents
- 24311000 - Chemical elements, inorganic acids and compounds
- 24322500 - Alcohol
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Authority is seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of a variety of standard solvents, alcohols and acids suitable for a range of laboratory applications.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 40%
Price - Weighting: 60%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
24
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes
Identification of the project
Potential EU funding may be used to procure under this Framework Agreement.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Fine Chemicals and Deuterated Solvents
Lot No
6
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 24315000 - Miscellaneous inorganic chemicals
- 24327000 - Miscellaneous organic chemicals
- 44832000 - Solvents
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance
Across Scotland.
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Authority is seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of fine chemicals including, but not limited to: chemical substances prepared to a high degree of purity for use in research. The lot is including chemicals such as 4-fluorophenylacetylene and Dess-Martin Periodinane, and a variety of deuterated solvents suitable for a range of laboratory applications.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 40%
Price - Weighting: 60%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
24
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes
Identification of the project
Potential EU funding may be used to procure under this Framework Agreement.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Inorganic Chemicals and Salts
Lot No
8
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 24300000 - Basic inorganic and organic chemicals
- 24310000 - Basic inorganic chemicals
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance
Across Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Authority is seeking Contractor(s) for the supply of inorganic chemicals and salts including, but not limited to: a variety of in-organic chemicals and salts such as Ammonium Nitrate, Magnesium Sulfate and Sodium Chloride suitable for a range of laboratory applications.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 40%
Price - Weighting: 60%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
24
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 2 x 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes
Identification of the project
Potential EU funding may be used to procure under this Framework Agreement.
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required
Please refer to Question 4B.5 of the SPD and Economic and Financial Standing section of the Contract Notice. Tenderers must confirm that they can provide the following supporting evidence prior to award:
Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = 5 Million GBP
Public Liability Insurance = 5 Million GBP
Product Liability Insurance = 5 Million GBP
To demonstrate and evidence suitable economic standing, successful Contractors will be required to provide 2 years audited accounts, or equivalent if awarded to the Framework Agreement. Alternatively, if the Contractor is unable to provide the required accounting information, e.g. due to being a new business, then they will be required to provide a banker's letter demonstrating their willingness to the support the Contractor's organisation over the term of the framework agreement.
Please refer to 4B.6 of the SPD.
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required
Tenderers must confirm they have (or have access to) the relevant supply chain management and tracking systems to ensure a resilient and sustainable supply chain. This includes confirmation that they have the systems in place to pay subcontractors through the supply chain promptly (i.e. no later than 30 days after the invoice (or similar claim) relating to the payment is presented) and effectively, and provide evidence when requested of:
a) their standard payment terms
b) ≥95% of all supply chain invoices being paid on time (in accordance with the terms of contract) in the last financial year.
If the bidder is unable to confirm (b) they must provide an improvement plan, signed by their Director, which improves the payment performance.
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.2) Contract performance conditions
Submission of Management Information Following commencement of the Framework Agreement, the Contractor will provide a performance report to the Authority on a quarterly basis to include spend by Institution under the Framework Agreement for the reporting period. Contractors must provide the information on a quarterly basis, within 10 working days following the start of each quarter. Data must be uploaded to the website: http://ucsp.ac.uk.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
Framework agreement with several operators
Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement: 54
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2025/S 000-001444
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
19 December 2025
Local time
2:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
19 December 2025
Local time
3:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published: November 2029
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.3) Additional information
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
Suppliers should confirm they will be in a position to complete (at point of award) the following:
Appendix A Form of Tender
Appendix B Freedom of Information
Appendix D APUC Sustain Supply Chain Code of Conduct
Appendix H Declaration of Non-involvement in Serious Organised Crime
Appendix I Declaration of Non- Involvement in Human Trafficking and Labour Exploitation
Tenderers must be able to supply, as a minimum, 50% of the core basket of goods per each lot they are bidding for. Where a Tenderer is not able to supply a minimum of 50% of the core basket of goods, the Authority reserves the right not to award a Tenderer a place on the Framework Agreement.
WHERE TENDERER’S TECHNICAL RESPONSE ACHIEVES LESS THAN 50% OF FULL MARKS AVAILABLE FOR THE TECHNICAL ENVELOPE/QUESTIONNAIRE (TECHNICAL ENVELOPE’S FULL MARKS = 40), THEN THE AUTHORITY RESERVES THE RIGHT NOT TO AWARD A TENDERER A PLACE ON THE FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT.DETAILED EVALUATION CRITERIA AND THEIR WEIGHTINGS WITHIN THE TECHNICAL ENVELOPE, ARE INCLUDED IN THE SECTION 1 OF THE ITT (PAGES 11-12).
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 29679. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
The Contracting Authority does not intend to include a sub-contract clause as part of community benefits (as per Section 25 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) in this contract for the following reason:
Sub-Contracting is not a significant part of the overall anticipated contract spend.
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
The Contractor will work with the Authority to deliver Community Benefits or social value where they are identifiable throughout the term of the Framework Agreement. Examples of Community Benefits or social value are providing training opportunities to staff and students, graduate placements and supply chain development in the local community.
(SC Ref:804318)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Sheriff Court House
Viewfield Place
Stirling
FK8 1NH
Country
United Kingdom