Award

LUV01414 Purchase of C Trap Dymo 400 by direct award

UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

23 Feb 2026 at 12:05

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

14 Nov 2025 at 12:28

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

24 Oct 2025 at 11:05

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Leicester has successfully completed the procurement of a specialised instrument, the C-Trap Dymo 400 Optical Tweezers-Fluorescence Microscope, through a direct award process. This instrument is crucial for the University's School of Chemistry to advance their research in biomolecular dynamics, specifically DNA-protein complexes and other molecular interactions. The contracting authority, situated in Leicester, UK, opted for this single-source procurement due to the unique capabilities and exclusive patents of the equipment, manufactured by Lumicks B.V. of the Netherlands. The contract was signed on 8th December 2025, with the procurement valued at £988,570, covering delivery and integration into the University's research infrastructure by the end of July 2026. The procurement represents a strategic enhancement to their existing research toolkit, enabled by funding from BBSRC.

This tender provides significant opportunities for businesses involved in sophisticated biochemical and optical technologies. Companies developing similar or complementary technologies, particularly SMEs with expertise in advanced microscopy or molecular biology tools, could leverage this process to position themselves for future collaborative or competitive tenders. The exclusive characteristics of the C-Trap Dymo 400 highlight a market niche where innovation and patented technologies can offer distinct advantages. Businesses with potential offerings in high-precision imaging and integrated microfluidics could find growth opportunities by engaging with research institutes or other entities requiring similar specialised instruments.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

LUV01414 Purchase of C Trap Dymo 400 by direct award

Notice Description

The University of Leicester, School of Chemistry, is expanding its capabilities for studying the dynamics of single biomolecules. To support this work, funding has been secured from BBSRC to procure a highly specialised instrument: the C-Trap Dymo 400 Optical Tweezers-Fluorescence Microscope, manufactured by Lumicks B.V.. This instrument integrates cutting-edge optical trapping, confocal fluorescence microscopy, and laminar flow microfluidics into a single, coherent system. The C-Trap(r) Dymo 400 will be installed at the University to support high-precision, realtime studies of molecular interactions, particularly in areas involving DNA-protein complexes, RNA structures, ubiquitin structures and cytoskeletal filament dynamics. It includes multi-colour confocal fluorescence (488, 561, 638 nm), dual force detection (x,y), short tether capabilities, microfluidics, and full system integration with proprietary Bluelake software, all required to maintain the scientific edge of our ongoing biophysical and molecular biology research. To view this notice, please click here: https://universityofleicester.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=1000438720

Procurement Information

This procurement is being undertaken via a single-source route due to the unique technical capabilities of the C-Trap(r) Dymo 400 and the exclusive rights held by its manufacturer, LUMICKS B.V.. The unique elements of this are: * Optical tweezers encompassing multiple trapping sites (4), * Multi-colour confocal fluorescence microscopy, and * Multi-channel laminar flow microfluidics. These technologies are protected by several granted patents, including: US9952421, EP3256254B1 (optical traps), US9766180, EP3004848B1 (fluorescence imaging), S11156513B2 (optical force measurement) and EP3737756B1 (DNA supercoiling). No other commercially available instrument can provide simultaneous, correlated force-distance-fluorescence measurements with the required resolution and sensitivity. Key performance features exclusive to the C-Trap include: * Force resolution 0.1 pN and drift stability 0.3 pN over 2 minutes * Confocal localisation precision 15 nm * Real-time imaging of single molecules under physiological flow conditions * Escape force 1000 pN, allowing for broad biological applicability * Integrated hardware/software for fast setup and automated experimental workflows. Additionally, the system includes a complete service and application support package, exclusive training kits, and proprietary components that are not available from any other provider.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d34f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016018-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

CPV Codes

33100000 - Medical equipments

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£988,570 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
£988,570 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Feb 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
24 Oct 20256 months ago
Contract Period
9 Dec 2025 - 31 Jul 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LEICESTER
Postcode
LE1 7RH
Post Town
Leicester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF21 Leicester
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Leicester
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Leicester South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

LUMICKS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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