RFP QuestBeta
Awarded · ResultStage · contract

CEFAS

CEFAS25-136 Gas Chromatography Tandem Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer System

Laboratory EquipmentCPV 38000000 38400000 38430000 38433000
Value£126k
Awarded8 Jan 2026
Published3 Feb 2026
RegionUK-wide
Outcome — awarded

This is a contract result notice, not an open opportunity. Details from the official award data.

Contract value in context
£126ktotal contract value
median £70k
this tender£0£588k

This sits in the upper-middle of the Laboratory & Precision Equipment band — a substantial contract for the sector. Based on 9,869 valued Laboratory & Precision Equipment tenders in our corpus.

The brief

The Chemistry Function at the Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory requires a gas chromatography system with a triple quadrupole mass detector (GC-QqQ-MS) to replace an aging instrument.

The system will support monitoring and R&D projects assessing the chemical status of the marine environment.

It must analyse trace levels of small compounds (<1000 Da), including polychlorinated biphenyls PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, and brominated flame retardants in liquid extracts, and enable method development for emerging contaminants.

Ex-demonstration instruments under two years old may be proposed at a reduced price.

Where an ex-demonstration instrument is proposed, this must be clearly declared in the supplier's quotation.

This purchase is being conducted under the LUPC Framework Agreement: The Supply of Mass Spectrometry and Chromatography Equipment (LAB 1029 AP), Lot 3 - Gas Chromatographs with Mass Spectrometers.

Scope of requirement: 1.

Technical Requirement The requirement is for a fully automated, bench-top GC-QqQ-MS system capable of high-throughput analysis with robust performance for a wide range of sample matrices.

The system must deliver high sensitivity, low detection limits, and excellent long-term stability, supporting both routine and research applications.

The objective is to enhance analytical capacity, improve data quality, and ensure compliance with relevant standards (e.g., ISO 17025).

Application notes that demonstrate this type of performance should be provided.

The system must consist of the following parts: 1.1 Automated sample introduction systems consisted of: • an autosampler for liquid sample extracts able to inject from small volume sample extracts (i.e. from 50 µL or less) equipped with a sample tray for at least 80 sample vials (2 ml, 12x32mm).

1.2 Gas Chromatograph (GC) must: • have internal gas flows managed via electronic pressure control, • have at least a split/splitless injection system, and optionally a PTV injector, • be capable of "fast" chromatography using short (sub 20m length), narrow columns (sub 0.18 mm i.d), • have oven temperatures ranging from ambient to at least 350°C, • have an independently heated transfer line to the detector 1.3 Triple quadrupole mass selective detector (QqQ-MS).

With the following characteristics at a minimum: • Ionisation modes: EI and CI (positive and negative). • Usable mass rang: ≥20-1000 Da. • Q1 Mass Resolution: <1 Da. • Inert ion source (temperature range to at least 350°C). • Customisable internal calibration and mass tuning. • Easy source removal for cleaning. • Dual filament for EI. • Automated and manual MS tuning. • High-capacity pumping system. • A statement of scan rate (u/s), MRM/SRM speed (in transition/sec), minimum MRM/SRM dwell time is to be provided. • A statement of typical instrument detection limits, linearity, accuracy and precision.

Requirements

What the notice asks for

01

The system will support monitoring and R&D

The system will support monitoring and R&D projects assessing the chemical status of the marine environment.

02

It must analyse trace levels of small

It must analyse trace levels of small compounds (<1000 Da), including polychlorinated biphenyls PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, and brominated flame retardants in liquid extracts, and enable method development for emerging contaminants.

03

Ex-demonstration instruments under two years old may

Ex-demonstration instruments under two years old may be proposed at a reduced price.

04

Where an ex-demonstration instrument is proposed, this

Where an ex-demonstration instrument is proposed, this must be clearly declared in the supplier's quotation.

05

This purchase is being conducted under

This purchase is being conducted under the LUPC Framework Agreement: The Supply of Mass Spectrometry and Chromatography Equipment (LAB 1029 AP), Lot 3.

Sentences from the notice that state an obligation, surfaced automatically and shown in the order they appear. Not an exhaustive list — always confirm against the tender documents.

The gates

What this notice demands of you

2 named, none in explicit obligation language. Each one is quoted from the notice.

Framework agreement (any)Frameworks & routes to market
This purchase is being conducted under the LUPC Framework Agreement: The Supply of Mass Spectrometry and Chromatography Equipment (LAB 1029 AP), Lot 3 - Gas Chromatographs with Mass Spectrometers.
The objective is to enhance analytical capacity, improve data quality, and ensure compliance with relevant standards (e.g., ISO 17025).

Matched against the notice text, so this is a floor — the tender pack will demand things the notice never mentions. “Says must” means the quoted sentence itself used obligation language; anything ambiguous is left as a mention.

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Source & provenance
OCID
f78725a1-e12a-4bd1-969d-6186a2fb0264
Stage
contract · Contract
Source
Contracts Finder
Buyer ref
CF-0602300D8d000003VQwdEAG
View the original notice on Contracts Finder

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source data © Crown copyright.

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