Laboratory Consumables and Chemicals Supply
Framework Description
APUC's Laboratory Consumables and Chemicals Supply framework (Public Contracts Scotland ref. MAY555804) covers glassware, plastics, pipettes, solvents and chemicals for university and college laboratories. It has 9 lots, including a one-stop-shop lot. Applications for this framework are closed (it is not a DPS), and it runs to 30 April 2028 with an option to extend by 24 months to 30 April 2030.
Context & Use Case
Laboratory managers and research groups across science, medicine and engineering use it for everyday consumables and reagents. Demand is high-frequency and spread across many departments, so buyers want reliable catalogues and fast delivery. The one-stop-shop lot suits institutions that want a single supplier for mixed orders, while specialist lots serve groups with particular chemical or plastics needs.
Scope of Services
Glassware Filtration Plastics; Molecular Biology and Tissue Culture Plastics Pipettes and Tips Solvents, Alcohol and Acids Fine Chemicals and Deuterated Solvents Bio-Chemicals Inorganic Chemicals and Salts One-Stop Shop Consumables and Chemicals
Lots
Glassware; Filtration Plastics; Molecular Biology and Tissue Culture Plastics; Pipettes and Tips; Solvents, Alcohol and Acids; Fine Chemicals and Deuterated Solvents; Bio-Chemicals; Inorganic Chemicals and Salts; One-Stop Shop Consumables and Chemicals
Who Can Apply
Suits laboratory distributors, chemical manufacturers and specialist plastics or pipette suppliers. Applications for this framework are closed, so firms not appointed cannot join until APUC re-tenders it, around 30 April 2028 or as late as April 2030 if the extension is used.
Buyer Benefits
Researchers get agreed pricing on thousands of routine lines without quotes for each order. Splitting the scope into specialist lots means deuterated solvents or tissue culture plastics come from suppliers who know them, while the one-stop shop covers mixed baskets. That balance gives buyers both specialism and simplicity.
Next Steps
Read the Public Contracts Scotland notice (MAY555804) to see last time's lot structure and criteria. Appointed suppliers should keep catalogue prices and delivery performance strong, as these decide repeat orders. Others should decide between specialist lots and the one-stop shop, and build a case on catalogue breadth, hazardous goods handling and sustainability.
How Athena Can Help
For appointed suppliers, winning orders often comes down to price and service compared with other suppliers on the lot. Our competitor scoring and pricing work shows where you stand and what to change.
If you are not on the framework, our re-tender readiness planning sets a timetable for evidence, policies and case studies, and helps you choose between specialist and one-stop-shop lots. Our public procurement bidding support covers social value commitments that university buyers score.
