Find a TenderAwarded without competition

Published 22 Sept 2026, 16:03 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Door Locks, Keys and Closing Systems

Official notice

Authority: University Of Edinburgh (Education)

GoodsAward procedure without prior publication of a call for competition

Sectors: Construction Materials & Prefab (44) Delivery: Scotland (UKM75)

Awarded value£2,058,970published contract · exc. VAT

Awarded 21 Sept 2026no call for competition

Awarded to Assa Abloy

What is being bought

Published requirement description

The University of Edinburgh intends to award a contract to Assa Abloy for the supply of door lock, cylinder, key blank and closing system components required to support and maintain the University’s ASSA master key system across an estate of 650+ buildings. The contract term will be up to 10 years, expiring in line with the current patent.

The University operates a restricted key profile within its master key system for which ASSA holds patent and/or registered design protection and exclusive manufacturing/supply rights. The University will continue its established operating model of in-house lock assembly and key cutting delivered by University locksmiths for security governance, responsiveness and value for money. Replacing the system would cause significant disruption and cost.

CPV: Clasps, lock parts and keys · Keys · Locks, keys and hinges · Tools, locks, keys, hinges, fasteners, chain and springs

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published

Lot #1The University of Edinburgh seeks to appoint Assa Abbloy to supply the full range of…

The University of Edinburgh seeks to appoint Assa Abbloy to supply the full range of lock, cylinder, key blank and associated door hardware/closing system components required to operate, maintain and extend the University’s existing ASSA master key system across a diverse estate of over 650 buildings.

The requirement supports the University’s ongoing day-to-day delivery of physical security and access control, including routine maintenance and replacement, responsive repairs, provisioning of new keys and cylinders, and minor alterations to locking arrangements arising from building moves, refurbishments and changes in access needs. A single standardised locking platform is essential to enable centralised key control, consistent security standards, efficient maintenance, and effective emergency response.

The University’s master key system utilises a restricted key profile and related restricted components for which ASSA holds patent and/or registered design protections and exclusive manufacturing and supply rights. ASSA has confirmed in writing that only ASSA and its authorised channels can manufacture and supply the genuine restricted key blanks/components for this system. While third parties may act as resellers, this does not create meaningful competition for the restricted items because the underlying manufacturer and pricing remain ASSA-controlled.

The University also operates a distinctive service model whereby it purchases individual components from ASSA and undertakes lock assembly and key cutting in-house through a small team of University locksmiths. This approach supports security governance and rapid response, whilst also improving value for money compared with purchasing fully assembled products and cut keys externally.

The proposed contract will be for up to 10 years (4+2+2+2). A change to an alternative locking system would necessitate widespread replacement of cylinders/locks throughout the estate, with significant disruption and costs.

Delivery: Scotland

Extensions: The initial contract period will be 4 years with 3 optional 2 year extension periods, taking the contract to a maximum of 10 years.

44500000 Tools, locks, keys, hinges, fasteners, chain and springs 44520000 Locks, keys and hinges 44522000 Clasps, lock parts and keys

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record · publisher note attached

Procedure method: Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Legal basis: CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
Procurement category: Goods
Notice status: Awarded without competition
Procurement threshold: Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime: Standard
Commercial structure: Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type: Direct award (no call for competition)
GPA / WTO covered: Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement: Unspecified in notice
First published: 22 Sept 2026, 16:03 BST
Last source update: 22 Sept 2026, 16:03 BST
FTS notice number: 2026/S 000-089797
Classification (CPV): Clasps, lock parts and keysKeysLocks, keys and hingesTools, locks, keys, hinges, fasteners, chain and springs
Delivery area: Scotland (UKM75)
Official registry OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0777e0 Find a Tender

Why no open competition: The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive
Published justification: The University’s estate operates an established Assa Abloy master key system incorporating a restricted key profile. Assa Abloy holds the relevant patent and/or registered design protections and exclusive manufacturing and supply rights for the specific restricted key profile and associated restricted components used by the University. Accordingly, the compatible restricted key blanks, cylinders and associated proprietary components required to maintain, repair and extend the existing master key infrastructure can only be lawfully manufactured and supplied by Assa Abloy, or via authorised channels obtaining those restricted components from Assa Abloy.
Transitioning to an alternative locking system would require widespread replacement and recommissioning of cylinders and locks across the estate, reconfiguration of master key arrangements and consequential access management changes across operational and security‑critical areas. This would result in significant cost, operational disruption and increased security management risk during migration. A competitive procurement process would not provide effective competition for the restricted elements of the requirement, as any alternative supplier would still need to source the restricted components from the intellectual property rightsholder in order to maintain compatibility with the University’s existing system.
Accordingly, the University intends to award the contract without prior publication/competition to ASSA ABLOY on the basis that the protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights, means there is no reasonable alternative or substitute capable of providing the required restricted components while maintaining the integrity, continuity and security of the University’s existing restricted master key arrangements.

Publisher note: NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=843614. (SC Ref:843614)

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast

Awards 1

Awarded value £2,058,9701 contract exc. VAT

Contracts signed 1latest 21 Sept 2026

Awarded to	Value	Date	Status
Assa Abloy	£2,058,970 †	—	Awarded

Contracts

Contract 089797-2026-NCA31125-1 · Assa Abloy
Signed
21 Sept 2026
Value
£2,058,970
Status
active

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

University Of Edinburgh

Contracting authorityEducationBody governed by public lawEducation Charles Stewart House, 9-16 Chambers Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 1HTContact name, email, phone

Dispute resolution & review bodies

Edinburgh Sheriff CourtReview body EdinburghContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice

Assa AbloyAwarded supplier School Street, Willenhall, Wolverhampton, UK, WV13 3PW

Official documents & specifications

Official links; attachments are not copied

No document links were published on the notice.