Award

Lightsheet microscope system

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

09 Feb 2026 at 15:29

Summary of the contracting process

The University of Edinburgh has completed a procurement process for a lightsheet microscope system, a specialised piece of equipment needed for high-resolution imaging in developmental and cancer biology research. The contract was awarded on 3rd October 2025 to Carl Zeiss Ltd, with a value of £730,302.66. The procurement falls under the category of 'goods' with the CPV classification for microscopes. The process utilised a 'limited' procurement method, specifically a call-off from the APUC buying consortium framework LAB1028AP, conducted without prior publication of a call for competition. The equipment will be delivered to the University's location in Edinburgh, region UKM75.

This tender provides opportunities for businesses involved in manufacturing and supplying high-quality scientific equipment, particularly those with expertise in creating light microscopy systems tailored for sensitive biological research applications. Businesses that can develop or supply advanced microscopy solutions with factors like gentle illumination, high resolution, and stability are well-suited to compete in such tenders. While the contract itself has been awarded, understanding the procurement needs of prominent academic institutions like the University of Edinburgh can guide future enhancements or offerings by suppliers in similar fields.

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Notice Title

Lightsheet microscope system

Notice Description

IGC and CMVM research requires very high resolution imaging of large samples (organoids, model organisms etc) using very gentle illumination. We have already conducted several detailed studies into the imaging methodology required for our applications and have already ruled out: 'Spinning disk / point scanning confocal' type illumination as this is too photo-toxic, Gaussian type light sheet, as the abberations in the light sheet beam path are not compatible with our samples, Oblique Plane type imaging approaches as the field of view and resolution of these approaches are not appropriate for our science. Since this equipment is mainly for use in Developmental and cancer biology we also need the system to be fully enclosed and provide a very stable environment for periods of days. It has been determined that a lightsheet type microscope with laser beam forming would be required to fulfil this requirement.

Lot Information

Lot 1

IGC and CMVM research requires very high resolution imaging of large samples (organoids, model organisms etc) using very gentle illumination. We have already conducted several detailed studies into the imaging methodology required for our applications and have already ruled out: 'Spinning disk / point scanning confocal' type illumination as this is too photo-toxic, Gaussian type light sheet, as the abberations in the light sheet beam path are not compatible with our samples, Oblique Plane type imaging approaches as the field of view and resolution of these approaches are not appropriate for our science. Since this equipment is mainly for use in Developmental and cancer biology we also need the system to be fully enclosed and provide a very stable environment for periods of days. It has been determined that a lightsheet type microscope with laser beam forming would be required to fulfil this requirement. Additional information: This was a call-off from APUC buying consortium framework LAB1028AP. Suppliers were engaged in order using the 'Ranked Direct Award' methodology set out in the framework, and Zeiss was the first supplier in the ranking to demonstrate they could fulfil the requirement.

Procurement Information

This was a call-off from APUC buying consortium framework LAB1028AP. Suppliers were engaged in order using the 'Ranked Direct Award' methodology set out in the framework, and Zeiss was the first supplier in the ranking to demonstrate they could fulfil the requirement.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064b6d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011478-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

38510000 - Microscopes

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£730,302 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
2 Oct 20254 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
jpike2@ed.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1316502759

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH1 1HT
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM75 City of Edinburgh

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CARL ZEISS

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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