Award

202526 5355 - Optical Tweezers-Fluorescence Microscope

UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

10 Nov 2025 at 12:05

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Leeds has successfully awarded a contract for the procurement of an Optical Tweezers-Fluorescence Microscope system to Lumicks B.V., a Netherlands-based supplier. This procurement falls under the industry category of molecular microscopes and is classified as public authority - sub-central government. The procurement followed a direct award procedure due to the unique technical capabilities and exclusive rights associated with the C-Trap® Dymo 400 system. The key milestones indicate the contract period will commence on 19th December 2025 and conclude on 18th December 2030. The process is currently in the award stage, with a scheduled future signature date of 18th November 2025.

This procurement initiative presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in high-tech laboratory equipment, particularly those that can offer advanced scientific instruments with unique capabilities. Companies with a focus on developing or supplying cutting-edge microscopy and microfluidics technology are well-suited to compete in such tenders. The contract's specialised nature and its substantial value of £877,740.50 highlight the demand for exclusive, patent-protected technologies in academic and research institutions, making it a lucrative opportunity for qualified small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the field.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

202526 5355 - Optical Tweezers-Fluorescence Microscope

Notice Description

Purchase of an optical tweezer system with Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy and widefield microscopy plus microfluidics. To view this notice, please click here: https://neupc.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=992880616

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: * Multi-trap continuous-wave optical tweezers, * 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 forcedistance-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-05dd90
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072355-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency 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

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

CPV Codes

38512200 - Molecular microscopes

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£877,740 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Nov 20253 months ago
Contract Period
19 Dec 2025 - 18 Dec 2030 Over 5 years
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 OF LEEDS
Contact Name
Maggie Whitworth
Contact Email
m.a.whitworth@adm.leeds.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+44 113 3431810

Buyer Location

Locality
LEEDS
Postcode
LS2 9JT
Post Town
Leeds
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE4 West Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE42 Leeds
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Leeds
Electoral Ward
Little London & Woodhouse
Westminster Constituency
Leeds Central and Headingley

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

LUMICKS

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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