Scope
Reference
C392280
Description
Purchase of ICP-MS Triple Quad Mass Spectrometer
Contract 2. ICP MS Triple Quad Mass Spectrometer
Supplier
Contract value
- £233,000 excluding VAT
- £291,600 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
24 November 2025
Contract dates
- 25 November 2025 to 31 March 2026
- 4 months, 6 days
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
The justification for Direct award under Section 41 is for Special cases under Schedule 5 Single suppliers. Paragraph 6 which states: :
The following conditions are met in relation to the public contract-
(a)due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and
(b)there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works.
The guidance for Direct Award for paragraph 6 reads: Any incompatibility between existing systems/equipment and new goods, services or works could also result in time consuming and complex redesign and modification which could be unacceptable in the circumstances, for example, resulting in significant cost and/or delay to an important service.
This incompatibility and complex modification is evidenced in this case by the following key issues:
Current ISO17025 accreditation held for U-238 in urine, Tc-99 in effluents, groundwater seaweed and soil and multi-metals in ground water and soil. A major, time-consuming validation process would be required for equipment supplied by a different supplier.
Connection to the laboratory information system (LIMS) to allow automatic transfer of measurement data, calculation of results and preparation of customer reports, as well as storing full traceability on measurements required under the ISO 17025 accredited quality management system. This extensive validation work would not need to be repeated if an identical instrument is purchased.
There would be incompatibility with existing results and those of the first machine resulting in disproportionate technical and financial efforts to revalidate and recalibrate systems
Supplier
Agilent Technologies LDA UK Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCQP-6172-GDRX
5500 Lakeside Cheadle Royal Business Park, Cheadle
Cheshire,
SK8 3GR
United Kingdom
Email: tenders-uk@agilent.com
Region: UKD35 - Greater Manchester South East
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 2. ICP MS Triple Quad Mass Spectrometer
Contracting authority
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care acting as part of the Crown through UK Health Security Agency
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBMQ-7576-DVGW
10 South Colonnade
London
E14 4PU
United Kingdom
Contact name: UKHSA Commercial Operations
Email: procurement.notices@ukhsa.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency
Region: UKI42 - Tower Hamlets
Organisation type: Public authority - central government