Laboratory services

Tender description

LUPC seeks to establish a framework agreement to be made available to Members and Associate Members of participating higher education purchasing consortia (HEPC), and other public sector organisations who participate in research and teaching of laboratory related activities who in the future may become full Members of a Higher Education Purchasing Consortium in the future, in the United Kingdom during the term of the Agreement. Potential suppliers should note that, in accordance with the UK Government's policies on transparency, LUPC intends to publish the Invitation to Tender (ITT) document and the text of any Framework Agreement awarded, subject to possible redactions at the discretion of LUPC. The terms of the proposed Framework Agreement will also permit a public sector Contracting Authority, awarding a contract under this Framework Agreement, to publish the text of that contract, subject to possible redactions at the discretion of the Contracting Authority. Further information on transparency can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/topics/government-efficiency-transparency-and-accountability The Authority expressly reserves the right: (i) Not to award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice; and (ii) To make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the tendering competition and in no circumstances will the Authority be liable for any costs incurred by the candidates. If the Authority decides to enter into a Framework Agreement with the successful supplier, this does not mean that there is any guarantee of subsequent contracts being awarded. Any expenditure, work or effort undertaken prior to contract award is accordingly a matter solely for the commercial judgement of potential suppliers. Any orders placed under this Framework Agreement will form a separate contract under the scope of this Framework between the supplier and the specific requesting other contracting Authority. The Authority and other contracting authorities utilising the Framework reserve the right to use any electronic portal during the life of the agreement. London Universities Purchasing Consortium (LUPC), a company limited by guarantee reg. no 04784719, is a not-for-profit company owned by its Members, for its Members. Its primary purpose is to maximise value from the collaborative procurement of goods and services for over 60 Members, made up of universities and colleges, as well as government agencies, research organisations and museums and other cultural establishments. A full list of current Members may be found at: http://www.lupc.ac.uk/about/members-list.aspx It is also expected that the Framework Agreement will be used by Members (full and associate) of the following UK Higher and Further Education purchasing consortia. Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC): http://www.supc.ac.uk/engage/our-members/our-members North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium (NWUPC): http://www.nwupc.ac.uk/our-members North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium (NEUPC): http://www.neupc.ac.uk/our-members Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges (APUC): http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk/#!/members Higher Education Purchasing Consortium, Wales (HEPCW): http://www.hepcw.ac.uk/files/2013/12/HEPCW-Members.pdf It is also expected that the Framework Agreement will be used by these Research Councils: Arts and Humanities Research Council (UK SBS): http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/ Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (UK SBS): http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/ Economic and Social Research Council (UK SBS): http://www.esrc.ac.uk/ Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK SBS): https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/ Medical Research Council (UK SBS): http://www.mrc.ac.uk/ Natural Environment Research Council (UK SBS): http://www.nerc.ac.uk/ Science and Technology Facilities Council (UK SBS): http://www.stfc.ac.uk/