HPLC/DAD system for research associated with explosive detection

The European Commission DG JRC (Joint Research Centre), unit E.4, has published a planned negotiated procurement (EXA) to acquire a high performance liquid chromatography system with diode array detection (HPLC/DAD) to support ISO/IEC 17025 methods for quantifying explosives including TNT, HMTD, TATP, HMX, RDX and NG and for related scientific analyses. The procedure identifier is EC-JRC/GEE/2026/MVP/4313-EXA and the notice is an advance publication rather than a call for tender. Expressions of interest open 14 August 2026 and close 5 September 2026 with an indicative launch of the negotiated procedure on 7 September 2026, and submissions must be made electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal using an EU Login account. The notice does not disclose an estimated contract value and indicates a maximum contract duration of 48 months, with suppliers expected to provide installation, calibration, training, warranty and maintenance support compatible with accredited laboratory use.

What it funds

Procurement summary

The JRC E.4 unit plans to purchase a High Performance Liquid Chromatography system with Diode Array Detector (HPLC/DAD) to support ISO17025 quantification of explosives (examples listed: TNT, HMTD, TATP, HMX, RDX, NG) and wider scientific analyses of homemade explosives, precursors and related compounds.

Who can apply:Suppliers of laboratory analytical instrumentation able to deliver, install and support an HPLC/DAD under an EU public procurement procedure. Electronic expression of interest requires an EU Login account.

1. 1Procedure type: planned negotiated procedure for middle/low value contract.
2. 2Nature: supplies (laboratory, optical and precision equipment, CPV 38000000).
3. 3Maximum contract duration: 48 months.
4. 4SME suitability: indicated as not SME-suitable in the record.

Key dates:expression of interest opens 14/08/2026 and closes 05/09/2026 (Europe/Brussels). Indicative launch of the negotiated procedure 07/09/2026.

Estimated total contract value is not specified in the publication; this notice announces the intent to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Full notice and updates are available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal: Tender details.

Opportunity summary

The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (DG JRC), unit E.4, has published a planned procurement notice announcing its intention to launch a negotiated procedure (low or middle value) to acquire an HPLC system coupled with a diode array detector (HPLC/DAD). The instrument will be used to support an ISO/IEC 17025 method to quantify a set of explosives (currently TNT, HMTD, TATP, HMX, RDX and NG) and for broader scientific projects including analyses of homemade explosives, explosive precursors and related compounds. The procurement is classified under CPV 38000000 (laboratory, optical and precision equipment) and related CPV codes. This publication is an advance announcement (reference suffix EXA) and is not itself the call for tender. Suppliers and interested parties must use EU Login to register and submit expressions of interest electronically.

Lead contracting authority:European Commission, DG JRC - Joint Research Centre (JRC).

Procedure identifier and type:Procedure identifier EC-JRC/GEE/2026/MVP/4313-EXA. Planned negotiated procedure for middle/low value contract (anticipated negotiated procedure).

Nature of contract and CPV:Nature of the contract: supplies. Main CPV: 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses). Additional CPV classifications listed include 48614000, 38300000, 38340000 and 38500000.

Maximum contract duration and framework:Maximum contract duration: 48 months. The procurement uses a supplies contract nature and may include contracting system metadata indicating no framework agreement (contractingSystems: none).

Key dates and milestones

1. 1Publication date of this planned notice: 14/08/2026 (Europe/Brussels).
2. 2Start date for expression of interest: 14/08/2026 (Europe/Brussels).
3. 3CFT EXARegistration deadline (registration for EXA): 04/09/2026 23:59:59 (Europe/Brussels).
4. 4Deadline for expression of interest: 05/09/2026 00:59 (Europe/Brussels).
5. 5Indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure: 07/09/2026 (Europe/Brussels).
6. 6Planned date for the call for tenders launch: 07/09/2026+02:00 (Europe/Brussels).

What is being procured (technical and scientific requirements)

Procurement objective:acquisition of a new high-performance liquid chromatography system with diode array detection (HPLC/DAD) suitable for ISO/IEC 17025 accredited methods to quantify explosives and related compounds. Primary intended analytical scope (explicitly mentioned): TNT (trinitrotoluene), HMTD (hexamethylene triperoxide diamine), TATP (triacetone triperoxide), HMX (octogen), RDX (cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine) and NG (nitroglycerin). Broader use: analyses of homemade explosives, explosive precursors and related compounds in support of JRC scientific projects and laboratory methods.

Implicit technical expectations derived from description:certified performance compatible with ISO/IEC 17025 use; reliable quantification across multiple explosive analytes; suitability for trace-level analysis and for complex matrices commonly encountered in forensic/explosive residue analysis; robust DAD spectral capability to support compound identification and purity checks; appropriate consumables, software and service/support options for a laboratory environment performing accredited testing over multi-year contract duration. The notice does not include a full technical specification in this planned notice; detailed technical and commercial requirements will be provided in the forthcoming negotiated procedure documents.

Procurement logistics and submission

Expressions of interest must be submitted electronically only via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. An EU Login account is required for electronic submission and access to the procurement documents. Submissions must be sent exclusively to the address for submission indicated in the portal and must follow the portal's eSubmission method (ESUBMISSION). This notice is an advance publication and instructs potential suppliers to register interest and await the formal negotiated procedure documents.

Submission method:Electronic via EU Login / Funding & Tenders Portal eSubmission (express interest button on the tender details page).

Eligibility and applicant profile

This is a public procurement for the supply of laboratory equipment. Eligible applicants are typically vendors, manufacturers and authorised resellers of laboratory instrumentation who can supply, install, commission and provide maintenance/service for HPLC/DAD equipment in compliance with the JRC's technical, commercial and legal requirements. The portal notice does not restrict participation by company size or nationality beyond standard EU public procurement rules; however registration and electronic submission via EU Login is mandatory.

1. 1Eligible Applicant Types: Manufacturers, authorised distributors/resellers, laboratory equipment suppliers, service providers capable of delivering, installing, commissioning and maintaining HPLC/DAD systems. (Implicitly SMEs and large enterprises are both eligible; public research organisations or universities are not the target bidders unless acting as suppliers.)
2. 2Funding Type: Procurement / supplies contract (purchase of equipment).
3. 3Consortium Requirement: Single supplier or supplier-led submission expected; the procurement is not presented as a multi-party research consortium. Where applicable, bidders may subcontract installation, calibration or maintenance services but the contracting party will be a single contractor.
4. 4Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Standard EU procurement rules apply; the contracting authority is the European Commission JRC. Suppliers from EU Member States and eligible countries under the EU procurement framework can participate. The notice requires registration via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (EU Login).
5. 5Target Sector: Laboratory instrumentation, forensic chemistry, analytical chemistry, explosives detection, security and defense-adjacent laboratory services (primarily chemistry/forensics/analytical).
6. 6Mentioned Countries: None explicitly listed. Contracting authority location and timezone are Europe/Brussels (Belgium).
7. 7Project Stage: Procurement for operational deployment in accredited laboratory use (ready-for-use system for testing, validation and accredited routine analysis). Expected project maturity: deployment/implementation for accredited laboratory methods.
8. 8Funding Amount: Estimated total value not specified in the notice. The notice is for a middle/low value negotiated procedure; exact budget will appear in the call documents. No numeric funding range is provided in this planned notice.
9. 9Application Type: Open planned negotiated procedure following publication of this EXA notice. Expression of interest via the portal is required; the formal call will be a negotiated procurement (not an open call for research grants).
10. 10Nature of Support: Procurement contract for a supply of tangible equipment and associated services (monetary contract to acquire goods and potentially support services).
11. 11Application Stages: Two-stage practical flow is expected: 1) Expression of interest / registration via portal; 2) Submission of tender when negotiated procedure is launched. Internal adjudication and contract award processes will follow standard procurement stages (potential clarifications, negotiation, award). The notice itself does not list multi-stage competitive selection beyond the negotiated procurement process.
12. 12Success Rates: Not provided. Public procurement success rates depend on number of bidders and evaluation criteria and cannot be determined from this notice.
13. 13Co-funding Requirement: Not applicable. This is a procurement for supplies; the contracting authority will fund the purchase under its budget. Bidders do not provide co-funding but must bear costs of preparing offers.

Application and documentation templates

The planned notice itself does not include the full tender documents or template forms. It states that procurement documents will be made available when the negotiated procedure is launched on the Funding & Tenders Portal. To participate applicants must: register an EU Login account, express interest electronically on the tender details page, and monitor the portal for the publication of the negotiated procedure documents which will contain instructions, technical specifications, administrative and financial templates (e.g., tender submission forms, declarations, commercial offer templates, technical datasheet templates, proof of conformity/certifications, service level agreement templates and possibly financial capacity / exclusion and selection forms). Interested suppliers should be ready to supply: technical specification sheets, calibration and validation plans compatible with ISO/IEC 17025, warranties, maintenance agreements, proof of manufacturer authorisation, and references for similar deliveries.

Practical next steps for suppliers:1) create or verify EU Login account; 2) navigate to the tender page and click Express interest using the EU Funding & Tenders Portal; 3) register before the EXA registration deadline; 4) monitor the portal for the launch of the negotiated procurement on or after the indicative launch date; 5) when tender documents are published, download full technical specifications and contractual terms, prepare compliant technical, commercial and service proposals including ISO/IEC 17025 compatibility details, and submit via eSubmission by the formal tender deadline.

Legal and administrative notes:This publication is an EXA-type notice indicating the contracting authority's intention to launch a future negotiated low or middle value procedure. It is not the formal call for tenders or contract notice. All official communication, documents and submissions will be handled via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. The contracting authority operates under EU procurement rules; suppliers are bound to follow the portal instructions, provide truthful declarations and meet administrative requirements in the formal tender.

Links and references:Full tender metadata and access to the notice are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal tender page: Tender details page. Portal registration (EU Login) and eSubmission guidance are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal Help and guidance. Additional JRC information and context: JRC homepage. ¹

Detailed answers to structured categorisation questions

1. 1Eligible Applicant Types: Manufacturers of analytical instrumentation, authorised distributors/resellers, laboratory equipment suppliers and integrators, service organisations capable of installation, calibration and maintenance of HPLC/DAD systems. Bidders may be SMEs or large enterprises; research institutions or universities are not the intended contracting parties unless they act commercially as suppliers.
2. 2Funding Type: Procurement purchase/supplies contract (public procurement).
3. 3Consortium Requirement: Single contracting entity expected. Subcontracting is permitted under usual procurement rules but a consortium is not required or indicated.
4. 4Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Not explicitly limited in the EXA notice. Standard EU procurement rules apply; suppliers from EU Member States and countries eligible under EU procurement legislation should participate. Expression of interest and tendering are managed via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal which is accessible to eligible economic operators.
5. 5Target Sector: Analytical chemistry / laboratory instrumentation, explosives detection and forensic analysis, security-related laboratory testing.
6. 6Mentioned Countries: No countries explicitly listed in the description; the contracting authority operates in Europe/Brussels (Belgium).
7. 7Project Stage: Deployment/implementation — procurement of equipment for accredited laboratory use (ISO/IEC 17025 method implementation and routine analysis).
8. 8Funding Amount: Not specified. The notice indicates a middle/low value negotiated procedure; the exact estimated total value is not provided in this EXA. Bidders should prepare commercial offers in line with the forthcoming tender documents.
9. 9Application Type: Planned negotiated procedure. Suppliers must register interest via the portal (open planned notification) and then respond to the negotiated procurement when published. Submission is electronic (eSubmission).
10. 10Nature of Support: Contract for the supply of goods (and likely associated services such as installation, training, warranty and maintenance). It is monetary procurement against invoiced supplies and services.
11. 11Application Stages: At minimum two chronological steps: expression of interest/registration (current EXA stage) followed by the formal tender submission in the negotiated procedure. The tender evaluation and award process will follow procurement internal stages (clarifications, evaluation, award).
12. 12Success Rates: Not stated in the notice. Success rates depend on the number of qualified bidders and evaluation; procurement notices do not publish historical success rates.
13. 13Co-funding Requirement: Not applicable. This is a purchase; bidders do not provide co-funding. The contracting authority will pay for the supplies under contract terms.

Summary and explanation

This planned procurement notice indicates that the JRC E.4 unit will purchase an HPLC system with diode array detection to support ISO/IEC 17025 accredited analytical methods to quantify several explosives (TNT, HMTD, TATP, HMX, RDX and NG) and to enable broader forensic and scientific analyses related to homemade explosives and precursors. The publication is an advance announcement (EXA) of an upcoming negotiated low or middle value procurement. Interested suppliers must register and express interest electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal using an EU Login account before the specified deadlines. Detailed technical, contractual and commercial requirements will be provided in the full tender documents when the negotiated procedure is launched. Suppliers should prepare to provide full technical datasheets, calibration and validation protocols compatible with ISO/IEC 17025, warranties, maintenance and service options, installation and training plans, and all required commercial documentation for public procurement evaluation.

Footnotes

1. 1Suppliers must use an EU Login account to express interest and to submit tenders through the Funding & Tenders Portal. See the Funding & Tenders Portal help pages for creating an EU Login account and eSubmission instructions.

This is a planned negotiated procurement notice, not a live tender call. The European Commission, DG JRC - Joint Research Centre, is preparing to buy a new HPLC/DAD instrument for JRC E.4 to support an ISO17025 method for quantifying explosives and for broader scientific research. Official notice page: EU Funding and Tenders Portal.

What the opportunity is about

The procurement concerns the supply of a high performance liquid chromatography system with diode array detection for laboratory use in explosive detection and related analytical work. The stated target analytes include TNT, HMTD, TATP, HMX, RDX and NG, and the instrument will also be used for studies of homemade explosives, explosive precursors and related compounds. HPLC with diode array detection is a recognised approach for explosive analysis, including ISO guidance on detector requirements and wavelength ranges [2].

Who can apply

The notice does not set out a full eligibility regime because it is only an advance publication of a future negotiated low or middle value procedure. In practical terms, the opportunity is aimed at suppliers able to provide the requested laboratory equipment, with the exact selection and invitation rules to be confirmed when the negotiated procedure is launched. The notice indicates that the SME suitability flag is false, which suggests the contracting authority has not marked this as specifically SME oriented.

Key contractual and financial details

Dates and submission requirements

1. 1Expression of interest opens on 14 August 2026, Europe Brussels time.
2. 2Expression of interest closes on 5 September 2026 at 00:59, Europe Brussels time.
3. 3Indicative launch date for the negotiated procedure is 7 September 2026.
4. 4Expressions of interest must be submitted electronically through the portal.
5. 5An EU Login account is required for electronic submission and for related portal functions.

Practical implications for bidders

• This notice is an early signal of a future procurement, so suppliers should monitor the portal for the negotiated invitation and technical specifications.
• The procurement is for a specialised scientific instrument, so technical compliance, service capability, calibration support and post sale maintenance are likely to matter heavily once the formal procedure is issued.
• Because the planned duration is 48 months, bidders should be ready to cover delivery, installation, training, warranty and possible service obligations over a multi year period.
• The available notice does not publish the award value, so pricing strategy cannot yet be benchmarked against a disclosed budget.

Assessment for applicants

This opportunity is relevant to manufacturers, authorised distributors and specialised laboratory equipment suppliers with proven experience in chromatography systems and analytical instrumentation for high sensitivity chemical detection. The strongest fit will likely be bidders that can demonstrate compliance with the requested analytical performance, installation support, documentation and service capacity for a security sensitive laboratory environment.