Contracting authority

Contracting authority:

University of Leicester

Public Procurement Organisation Number:

PPNM-4297-VLCH

Address:

University Road
Leicester
LE1 7RH
UK

Contact name:

Anthony Midgley

Email:

acm26@leicester.ac.uk

Telephone:

0116 2522058

Website:

Not provided

Organisation type:

REGIONAL_AUTHORITY

Devolved regulations that apply:

None

Procedure

Procedure type:

Direct award

Scope

Title:

LUV01495 Procurement of Quad Systems C4 NMR Spectrometer and associated peripherals

Reference number:

LUV01495

Description:

The University of Leicester, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, is expanding its capabilities to study the dynamics and structure of molecules using NMR spectroscopy. To support this, funding has been secured from the BBSRC to procure a highly specialised instrument: the Quad Systems C4 NMR spectrometer and associated peripherals. This instrument integrates cutting-edge technology into a single coherent system.
The Quad Systems C4 NMR spectrometer will be installed at the University to support its research activities, particularly in areas involving nucleic acid-protein, protein-protein, and small-molecule-protein interactions. It includes a range of probeheads optimised for maximum sensitivity in biologically relevant solvent systems and integrated LED systems with a range of wavelengths (280, 390, 460, 490, 530 and 600nm) for photo-CIDNP applications. This comprises a fully integrated system which is required to maintain the scientific edge of our ongoing biophysical and molecular research.
To view this notice, please click here:
https://universityofleicester.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=1052361043

Participation

Suitable for SMEs:

Yes

Suitable for VCSEs:

No

Lots

Description:

Not provided

Main procurement category:

SUPPLIES

Above threshold:

Yes

Suitable for SMEs:

No

Suitable for VCSEs:

No

Contract dates (estimated):

01/10/2026 to 02/08/2027

CPV classifications:

38433000 - Spectrometers.

Contract can be extended:

No

Delivery regions:

UKF22 - Leicestershire CC and Rutland

Suppliers

Lot 1

Title:

Not provided

Supplier:

Quad Systems AG

Companies House:

PRQJ-3638-VBGM

Address:

Industriestrasse 31
Dietlikon
8305
CH

Email:

Sophie.Renou@QUADSYSTEMS.TECH

Telephone:

Not provided

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME):

Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE):

No

Supported employment provider:

No

Public service mutual:

No

Documents

Associated tender documents:

Not provided

Technical specifications:

Not provided

Contract Terms

Contract terms:

Not provided

A conflicts assessment has been prepared and revised:

Yes

Direct Award Justification

Allowed by statutory instrument:

No

Direct award justifications:

Single supplier - technical

Justification description:

This procurement is being undertaken via a single-source route due to the unique technical capabilities of the Quad Systems C4 NMR spectrometer and associated peripherals (e.g., NMR probes), and the exclusive rights held by its manufacturer, Quad Systems AG.

The unique elements are:
•Bioprobes: non-cryogenic NMR probeheads with sensitivity greater than or equal to 400:1 S/N (standard sucrose sample at 150 mM ionic strength). The funded research programme requires high-sensitivity measurements of protein-nucleic acid interactions under physiological ionic-strength conditions. Equivalent sensitivity cannot be achieved using alternative commercially available non-cryogenic probe technologies.
•Probes with integrated LEDs at a range of frequencies, which can be triggered by the pulse sequence generated by the NMR console, for photo-CIDNP applications.
•All indirect probes have dual-tune channels enabling 1H and 19F observation, and all direct probes allow 1H-{19F}, 19F-{1H}, and 19F-X observation.

These capabilities are protected by patents and are only available from Quad Systems AG (e.g., EP4341716A1, EP4291912A1 and EP3655790B1).
The University has conducted a review of the current NMR market and is not aware of any commercially available alternative system capable of delivering all required features within a single integrated platform. No other commercially available instrument can provide this sensitivity with non-cryogenically cooled probeheads or incorporate LEDs directly into the probehead for streamlined data acquisition. Whilst certain individual capabilities may be available separately, the University has not identified any alternative supplier capable of providing the required combination of:
•non-cryogenic probe sensitivity of at least 400:1 S/N;
•integrated photo-CIDNP LED functionality within probeheads compatible with pulse-sequence triggering;
•dual-tune 1H/19F indirect probe capability; and
•fully integrated hardware, software and application support,
within a single commercially available platform.
These capabilities are protected by patents and are available exclusively from Quad Systems AG. While alternative NMR platforms exist, they do not provide the required combination of performance, integration and functionality necessary to support the University's funded research programme. Consequently, competition is absent for technical reasons, and the contract may only be performed by Quad Systems AG.

Special regime:

None

Other organisations

Not provided