Award

Supply, Installation, Validation, Verification and Post-Warranty Maintenance of Ultramicrotome

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

31 Mar 2026 at 11:16

AwardUpdate

11 Mar 2026 at 13:18

Award

11 Mar 2026 at 12:32

Award

03 Mar 2026 at 10:09

Summary of the contracting process

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST has awarded a contract for the "Supply, Installation, Validation, Verification and Post-Warranty Maintenance of Ultramicrotome" to Leica Microsystems (UK) Limited. The procurement process was conducted via a direct award, due to Leica's unique capabilities in electron microscopy equipment, which no other technical alternatives could meet. The contract was signed on 23 March 2026 and will commence on 1 April 2026, concluding on 31 March 2033, with a gross contract value of £190,581.60. The contract is for laboratory, optical, and precision equipment, delivery set in the United Kingdom, specifically in Cambridge.

This tender offers a significant opportunity for growth primarily for businesses specialising in high-precision laboratory equipment within the optical and precision industry category. The direct award signifies the absence of competitive alternatives, highlighting Leica Microsystems as the sole suppliers. With the ultramicrotome being a sole-supplier solution, businesses with innovative features in laboratory equipment, particularly in microscopy, could have future potential to partner on maintenance and upgrades. This specialised procurement emphasises potential for companies interested in niche technological advancements and development, ensuring long-term scalability and high integration in workflow processes within histopathology sectors.

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Notice Title

Supply, Installation, Validation, Verification and Post-Warranty Maintenance of Ultramicrotome

Notice Description

Supply, Installation, Validation, Verification and Post-Warranty Maintenance of Ultramicrotome for Histopathology in Cambridge University Hospitals

Procurement Information

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust awarded a contract of a Leica UC Enuity Advanced Ultramicrotome to Leica Microsystems, as this system represents a genuine sole-supplier solution with no reasonable technical alternative capable of meeting the Trust's electron microscopy requirements. The UC Enuity provides uniquely integrated capabilities including motorised segment arc and knife block alignment, automated block-face and knife positioning to minimise specimen loss. These proprietary and fully integrated features are not available collectively from any other manufacturer, and procuring an alternative system would compromise precision, workflow integration, specimen protection, and long-term scalability; accordingly, a direct award to Leica Microsystems is justified on the basis that competition is absent for technical reasons and the equipment is available only from this supplier. The following unique features are extracted from the UC Enuity Sole Source Document and outline the distinguishing technical capabilities of the Leica UC Enuity Advanced Ultramicrotome. Core Configuration Features * Leica M80 microscope with 0.8x objective lens. * Motorized segment arc and motorized knife block. * Dedicated 35deg Ultra 3.0 mm Auto Knife. * Option for active or passive damping table. * Automated precision alignment of block face and knife to reduce specimen loss and protect both sample and knife. * Fully automated 2D trimming mode for complete blockface trimming in a single run. * Mesacut mirror enabling targeted trimming of fluorescent regions of interest. * Upgradeable software packages to adapt configuration to specific application needs. * Cutting speed range: 0.04-100 mm/s. * Specimen arm advance range: 0-2500 nm. * Remote care functionality to reduce downtime. * 12.1" touchscreen control unit with Windows-based operating system and intuitive graphical user interface. * Integrated live video via Flexacam camera with image and video storage capability. * Software-assisted warning system and built-in service codes for troubleshooting. Add-On and Advanced Modules * Diamond knives for room temperature and cryo sectioning. * Wide range of accessories and sample holders. * Single and double micromanipulator options attachable to the cryochamber for enhanced section collection and TEM grid positioning. * Integrated cryochamber compatible with all configurations and operated from the main touchscreen (no additional controllers required). * LN2 pump with software control and LN2 level and temperature sensors. * User protection features including vibration-free LN2 pump, gravity stroke operation, warmed handrests, and safety interlocks. * Compatibility with cryo transfer systems (e.g., VCT500, Cryo-CLEM shuttle, Cryo-TEM holder). * Wet sectioning capability (e.g., DMSO). * Standard and high gas flow operating modes. * Multiple lighting angles for enhanced visibility during section manipulation. * EM Crion ionizer (charge, discharge, or charge-discharge versions) operated via footswitch and controlled from main unit. * uCT-based Target Trimming module enabling 3D automated trimming to a region of interest. * Volume EM - SEM serial sectioning module supporting high-quality lossless serial sectioning, including AT4 knife, substrate holder, drain tray, and preparation of ~300 sections on 25x25 mm wafer. Introducing an alternative manufacturer would require compromise on functionality, increased manual intervention, higher training burden, and increased risk to specimen integrity, contrary to clinical governance, quality, and value-for-money principles. Although the procurement is non-competitive, value for money is demonstrated through: * Reduced specimen loss and rework * Shorter training times and reduced operator dependency * Improved uptime through remote diagnostics * Future-proofing via software and modular upgrades * Avoidance of additional capital expenditure on multiple EM accessories

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066082
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029577-2026
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
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£158,818 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£158,818 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Mar 20262 months ago
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2033 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active, Pending
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CAMBRIDGE
Postcode
CB2 0QQ
Post Town
Cambridge
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH4 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH42 Cambridgeshire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Cambridge
Electoral Ward
Queen Edith's
Westminster Constituency
South Cambridgeshire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

LEICA MICROSYSTEMS (UK

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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