Northumbrian Water has gone out to tender with a major muti-million pound AMP8 contract for a scientific services capex framework – the water company is looking to purchase some major items of analytical laboratory equipment over the next 5 years.

The incumbent suppliers are Agilent Technologies, & Skalar who were awarded a framework contract in 2021.

Using information from the AMP8 capex replacement programme, prices will be sought up front, and a strategic partner or partners would be awarded a five year framework.

The framework will be split into five Lots as follows:

Lot 1. Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (GCMS)

• Systems are currently used for drinking water (DW) analysis of final and raw waters for a range of herbicides and pesticides.
• Used for semi-quant analysis to identify SV unknowns
• Need library for ID
• Hydrogen (He alternative) to be used as carrier gas
• Autosampler capacity ca 50 place
• Chromatographic integration software

Lot 2. Liquid Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (LCMS)

• Systems are currently used for drinking water (DW) analysis of final and surface waters for a range of herbicides and pesticides.
• First system will need to achieve limits of quantification (LoQ) calculated as defined by Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) regulations similar to existing for urons or as a minimum better than LoQ of 30% of PCV by either direct injection or via use of incorporated online enrichment for potable and surface water samples using a maximum sample volume of 5ml.
• Use triple quadruple technology.
• Second system (yr 3) is for the analysis of pesticides with same performance requirements as above
• Include automated online pre-concentration which is able to process up to 5ml sample
• Autosampler capacity ca 100 place
• Chromatographic integration software capable of CSV or similar format output

Lot 3. Inductively coupled plasma / Mass Spectrometry (ICP MS & OES)

• System capable of achieving drinking water (DW) analysis as defined by Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) regulations of final and surface waters for a range of metals including:
• Cr, Ni, Ag, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd & Hg.
• Achieve limits of quantification calculated as defined by Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) regulations similar to existing methods or as a minimum better than LoQ of 30% of PCV
• Autosampler capacity ca 150 place
• software capable of CSV or similar format output

Lot 4.Flowcytometry

• Flow cytometer benchtop cell-analysers capable of fast flow rates.
• Able to auto sample from 96 well plates or equivalent.
• Must feature acoustic hydrodynamic focussing.
• Equipped with a minimum of one laser at wavelength 488nm.
• Fluorescence resolution performance capability of CV

Lot 5. Ancillary laboratory equipment

• microbiology incubators
• autoclaves
• boiling baths
• glasswashers
• 47mm magnetic filters funnels
• laboratory fridge & freezers
• ovens

The water company is looking to establish a framework agreement with up to eight suppliers - durantion of the framework will be 60 months.

Expressions of interest must be sent to the e-mail address This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it before the deadline date of the 14th March 2025 at 13:00hrs. EoIsmust include the following information:

Full company name

Main contact details of the person who will be given access to the Ariba portal - Name, job title, E mail address and telephone number

Once an EoI has been received applicants will be given access to the Ariba portal within 48 hours from request. The portal will contain all the tender documents associated with the procurement. An email link will also be provided to the email address the applicant provides to access the portal. The deadline for return of the completed RFP is 21st March 2025 at 13:00.

Click here to access the tender documentation.