Laboratory Gases

This framework agreement was procured via the open process under the Public Contracts Regulations (2015) The framework is broken down per lot as provided below:

 ·        Lot 1 Compressed Industrial Gases

·        Lot 2 Compressed Medical Gases

·        Lot 3 Compressed Research/Special Gases and Gas Mixtures

·        Lot 4 Solid Carbon Dioxide (CO2, ‘Dry Ice’)

·        Lot 5 Liquid Helium

·        Lot 6 Liquid Nitrogen and other Cryo Liquids in Small vessels

·        Lot 7 Liquid Nitrogen in Bulk

·        Lot 8 Gas Regulators and Handling Equipment

·        Lot 9 Assorted Fixtures and Fittings 

·        Lot 10 Dispensing Gases and Associated Systems

·        Lot 11 Gas Safety Training Courses

Procurement Efficiency. The use of this framework reduces time and administrative costs associated with repeatedly negotiating standalone contracts as individual orders (call-offs) can be made quickly under the pre-agreed terms. 

Enhanced SRM: The framework promotes long-term collaboration, driving better service, innovation, and problem-solving. KPIs and SLAs are built in to support effective contract management of call-offs. 

Value for Money 




1. Using this framework supports our Giving Back initiative. Our charity's focus is on SEND, wellbeing and absenteeism

Call-off from the Framework Agreement is by means of Direct Award or Mini -Tender. Members will determine the correct Lot to use when placing a call-off contract from the Framework Agreement by assessing their requirement against the available Lots.

Option One – Direct Award A Direct Award can be used where the Framework Agreement sets out all the terms governing the provision of the required Goods and/or Services. Members are required to contract directly with the first ranked supplier, unless Members have a preexisting relationship with any or other suppliers on the Framework which may constitute a cost saving or saving in terms of resource and listing an additional supplier, or any other compelling commercially and/or value led reason that can be determined to make a Direct Award, regardless of the supplier ranking. The award of a call-off contract will take place after the relevant Member has discussed its specific requirements with the supplier and agreement has been reached as to timescales, methodology/approach, specific service requirements and key milestones and performance indicators to be met. Suppliers on each lot of the framework will be approached annually to review pricing on those items within the pricing schedule. 

Option Two – Mini-Tender Members wishing to undertake a mini tender within a particular Lot may do so. A mini-tender must be used where additional requirements which are not set out in the Framework Agreement are being introduced into a particular call-off contract. All the supplier(s) appointed to the relevant Lot or Lots must be invited to submit responses to the Member’s mini-tender tender document. The original Framework Agreement Evaluation Criteria should be applied in the minitender documentation. As this is a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) Framework Agreement, both technical and commercial evaluation criteria must be used in a mini-tender process. 

This framework employed the following criteria: Price 40%, Service Delivery 10%, Account Management 30%, Sustainability 16% & Social Value 4%.

Important Procurement Act 2023 requirement

It is very important for CPC members to register on the new Find a Tender Service to create your organisation’s unique procurement identifier, known as an API Key. You then need to add the API Key to your profile on our MultiQuote eSender portal to run compliant mini competitions for our frameworks. It is a requirement under Procurement Act 2023 that relevant notices are published to the Find a Tender Service and MultiQuote can only publish your notices if you have added your API Key. See our Find a tender service registration web page for a step-by-step guide on how to register.

The CPC Quote Tool makes it easy to perform and manage a further competition exercise on this Framework. It's free to use for all our members and offers quick, compliant access to all suppliers on purchases that fall below £207,720.00

Get a Quote

If your purchase exceeds £207,720.00, the CPC Sourcing Cloud is available that complies with the regulations to allow electronic tender returns whilst still being free to use for our members. Find out more about the CPC Sourcing Cloud.

Direct award is best suited to procurements such as (but not limited to):

• Low value / low complexity requirements
• Where goods or services are exclusive to one supplier / provider
• Continuity or additions to existing goods or services
• Urgent / one-off requirements

Make a Direct Award