APUC Limited, the procurement body for Scotland's universities and colleges, has closed bidding on a framework agreement to supply mass spectrometry and chromatography equipment, including associated servicing, maintenance and repairs. The agreement carries an estimated value of £160,000,000 excluding VAT.

The closing date for tenders was originally 20 July 2026 at 2:00pm, and was later changed to 24 July 2026 at 2:00pm under a subsequent change notice. Bidding is now closed. The contract notice was published on 12 June 2026.

The framework is split into nine lots: liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry systems, standalone mass spectrometry systems, liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, gas generator systems, consumables and accessories, and two lots covering servicing and maintenance. A framework agreement lets the buyer and its named participating bodies call off supplies and services from appointed suppliers without running a fresh competition each time.

APUC envisages a maximum of 80 participants on the framework, which runs for 24 months with the authority reserving the right to extend by up to two further periods of 12 months. Award criteria weight quality at 80 and price at 20 for most lots, with consumables and accessories split evenly at 50 and 50.

The notice, reference LAB1040 AP APUC, covers the further and higher education sector and other public bodies in Scotland and the UK. Eligible users include the regional higher and further education purchasing consortia, alongside bodies such as Scotland Excel and its members, National Galleries of Scotland and Scottish Police Authority/Police Scotland.

APUC records this as a recurrent procurement, with further notices estimated for May 2029.