Award

Purchase of Confocal Microscopy Device

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

23 Sep 2025 at 15:32

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

23 Sep 2025 at 10:57

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust involves the direct award contract for the purchase of a Confocal Microscopy Device, specifically a Histolog scanner. The buying organisation is based in London at 250 Euston Road, and the procurement falls within the industry category of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. This procurement is in the 'award' stage, with the award officially dated 9th September 2025, and a scheduled contract period from 6th October to 5th November 2025. The procurement method used is a direct award due to no known alternative suppliers for this unique technology, with a total contract value of £288,000 gross. The standstill period for this contract ends on 2nd October 2025, with the contract signature scheduled shortly after.

This tender presents significant opportunities for specialised medical technology firms, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) like Samantree Medical UK Ltd, which secured the contract. Businesses that have cutting-edge, CE-marked, and FDA-cleared medical technologies will find similar opportunities particularly advantageous, as this procurement highlights the importance of unique, market-leading solutions. It benefits SMEs focused on innovation in medical equipment supply, offering potential for growth through high-profile NHS projects. This procurement underscores the demand for advanced medical technologies capable of enhancing healthcare outcomes, thus enabling suppliers to expand their reach within the healthcare sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Purchase of Confocal Microscopy Device

Notice Description

We are purchasing 1 Histolog scanner to introduce LaserSAFE at UCLH NHS Foundation Trust. We will be procuring directly with the manufacturer (Samantree Medical)

Procurement Information

The Histolog Scanner from SamanTree Medical is a unique medical device that currently has no alternative supplier or equivalent solution on the market to our knowledge. It is the only CE-marked and FDA-cleared technology providing real-time, histology-grade intraoperative tissue assessment directly in the operating room. Unique functionality of the Histolog Scanner: 1.) Portable confocal laser microscope: the only clinical-use portable confocal scanner on the market with an objective lens large enough to scan the entire prostate gland in ~50-60 seconds. 2.) Remote pathology access: the only scanner with a remote viewer, enabling pathologists to assess images instantly from outside the OR, avoiding the need for specimen transport or pathologist presence in the theatre. 3.) Speed: high-resolution images in ~1 minute per field of view, with complete intraoperative margin assessment in 8-20 minutes. 4.) Non-destructive process: tissue remains intact for further routine histopathology. 5.) Patented technology: massively parallel confocal microscopy is proprietary to SamanTree Medical. The Histolog(r) Scanner is being purchased for use in intraoperative margin evaluation during radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. UCLH is the largest centre for radical prostatectomy in the NHS, and it is essential that the Service maintains leadership in innovation and patient outcomes. The need is based on published data showing that intraoperative margin evaluation significantly increases the rate of nerve-sparing procedures. This directly translates into improved quality of life for patients (RCT NeuroSAFE PROOF) - better continence and potency outcomes after surgery. At the same time, published studies show that the Histolog(r) Scanner achieves high accuracy in detecting positive surgical margins. If present, such margins can necessitate immediate secondary resection during the same operation, thereby avoiding compromised cancer control. In summary, the scanner enables UCLH to: 1.) Improve functional and potential oncological outcomes for patients. 2.) Avoid repeat procedures, which are costly and distressing for patients. 3.) Offer margin assessment without frozen section infrastructure. 4.) Strengthen UCLH's position as the leading NHS centre for radical prostatectomy and robotic surgery.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05a006
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059018-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

CPV Codes

33000000 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£240,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
8 Sep 20255 months ago
Contract Period
5 Oct 2025 - 5 Nov 2025 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
daniel.tagg@nhs.net
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
NW1 2PG
Post Town
North West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI36 Camden
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Camden
Electoral Ward
Regent's Park
Westminster Constituency
Holborn and St Pancras

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SAMANTREE MEDICAL

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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