Tender

Procurement of a Multi-purpose Confocal Imaging System

UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL - THIS TENDER PROCESS WILL BE GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL PROCUREMENT POLICY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL. FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PROCUREMENT, THE UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL IS NOT A CONTRACTING AUTHORITY FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE PROCUREMENT ACT 2023.

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

30 Oct 2025 at 18:05

Summary of the contracting process

The University of Bristol is actively seeking bids for a project titled "Procurement of a Multi-purpose Confocal Imaging System." This procurement process falls within the 'goods' category specifically targeting the scientific sector, with classification codes related to checking, testing apparatus, and optical instruments. The procurement location is primarily the United Kingdom, with delivery targeted to Czechia. As of now, the process is in the 'tender' stage, with key milestones including an enquiry period ending on 21st November 2025 and a submission deadline of 1st December 2025. The selected project is supported by a BBSRC ALERT 24 grant and aims to enhance the capabilities of the Wolfson Bioimaging Facility at the University.

This tender represents a substantial opportunity for businesses involved in manufacturing or supplying advanced optical and microscopy equipment to engage with a prestigious academic institution. The open procurement method invites a wide range of qualified suppliers to participate, focusing on high technical quality and competitive pricing, with an 80% weight given to technical criteria and 20% to commercial pricing. Companies with a strong background in providing state-of-the-art imaging systems for live cell imaging and related technologies will find this tender particularly fitting. Such opportunities can facilitate business growth through collaboration with a leading research university known for its contributions to scientific advancements.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Procurement of a Multi-purpose Confocal Imaging System

Notice Description

Note: This tender process will be governed by the internal Procurement Policy of the University of Bristol. For the avoidance of doubt, for the purposes of this procurement, the University of Bristol is not a Contracting Authority for the purposes of the Procurement Act 2023, which will accordingly not apply to this procurement. The University of Bristol's Wolfson Bioimaging Facility based in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences wishes to expand its current suite of fluorescence microscopes (confocal, spinning disk, widefield, lightsheet, multiphoton, TIRF, SMLM, STED, FLIM) to extend capacity and capabilities for live cell, organism and organoid imaging. The opportunity to expand the Wolfson Bioimaging Facility has arisen following the award of a BBSRC ALERT 24 grant to provide equipment for fast confocal imaging with low photodamage and high sensitivity.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d781
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069906-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)


CPV Codes

38500000 - Checking and testing apparatus

38600000 - Optical instruments

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£600,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£600,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Oct 20252 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
1 Dec 20252 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
15 Jan 2026 - 31 Jul 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL - THIS TENDER PROCESS WILL BE GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL PROCUREMENT POLICY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL. FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PROCUREMENT, THE UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL IS NOT A CONTRACTING AUTHORITY FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE PROCUREMENT ACT 2023.
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
purchasing-office@bristol.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS8 1QU
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK51 Bristol, City of
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Bristol, City of
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Bristol Central

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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