Laboratory Chemicals And Consumables Framework
Framework Description
The Laboratory Chemicals and Consumables Framework is a Natural Resources Wales (NRW) framework, estimated at £2.37 million, for chemicals and consumables used by NRW's Analytical Service laboratory. Lot 1 covers chemicals, including generic chemicals, and Lot 2 covers generic consumables plus 15 manufacturer-specific sub-lots. It runs for four years from September 2026 to 31 August 2030, with break points every 12 months.
Context & Use Case
NRW laboratory staff order directly through each appointed supplier's online ordering system, with one supplier per sub-lot and call-offs awarded without further competition. Brand-specific sub-lots, from Agilent and Thermo Fisher to Metrohm and Cytiva, let each instrument's consumables go to a specialist. Added-value services such as spares, one-off repairs, maintenance and upgrades can also be requested under Lot 2.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Laboratory chemicals, including Lot 1A generic chemicals Lot 2A: Generic laboratory consumables Lot 2B: Manufacturer-specific consumables in 15 sub-lots, including Agilent, Restek, Buchi, Pall, Shimadzu, Bruker and Thermo Fisher Added value: newly required chemicals and consumables Added value: parts, spares, one-off repairs, support, maintenance and upgrades for NRW instruments
Lots
Lot 1 - Laboratory Chemicals (Lot 1A - Generic Chemicals); Lot 2 - Laboratory Consumables (Lot 2A - Generic Consumables; Lot 2B.1-2B.15 - Manufacturer-Specific Consumables: Agilent, Restek, Buchi, Pall, Shimadzu, Bruker, Biotage, Hach, Thermo Fisher, PerkinElmer, Skalar, Seal Analytical, Metrohm, Cytiva, DW Scientific)
Who Can Apply
Suits laboratory chemical suppliers, scientific consumables distributors and manufacturer-specific providers; the notice flags SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises as particularly suitable. Tenders closed on 3 August 2026, so non-appointed suppliers cannot join until NRW re-procures, likely ahead of the 31 August 2030 end.
Buyer Benefits
Analytical work stops if a reagent or column runs out, so NRW values reliable supply from specialists in each product area. Splitting the framework into sub-lots lets it use specialist distributors for brand-specific consumables while keeping generic items competitive, and added-value services reduce equipment downtime.
Next Steps
Appointed suppliers should focus on reliable delivery, accurate online ordering and pricing across their sub-lots, as NRW can use the annual break points if performance slips. Others should plan for the re-procurement ahead of 31 August 2030, monitor Find a Tender and eTenderWales for NRW notices, and look for laboratory supply tenders from other public bodies in the meantime.
How Athena Can Help
Multi-lot supply frameworks are won with careful lot selection and sharp pricing. Athena's supply tender pricing support helps you build competitive price schedules for each sub-lot, present delivery and quality assurance clearly and check compliance before submission.
For the next NRW procurement, our framework targeting and registration service plans which lots to enter and when to start preparing, and our public sector supply bids support helps you win laboratory supply contracts from universities, NHS bodies and other public buyers while this framework runs.
