This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

25 Sep 2026 at 14:48

Tender

27 Mar 2026 at 08:45

Summary of the contracting process

APUC Limited arranged a UK-wide framework for microscopes and imaging equipment, including supply, servicing, maintenance, repairs, consumables and software. The equipment supports research, teaching and medical applications across further and higher education and other public bodies. The seven categories cover teaching and research optical microscopes; high-throughput screening systems; laser-based imaging and components; super-resolution microscopes; cameras and other detectors; and light sources. Participating users include universities and colleges, NHS National Services Scotland, Scotland Excel, the National Galleries of Scotland, National Records of Scotland and Police Scotland. Delivery is across the United Kingdom. The scope ranges from routine teaching microscopes to specialist imaging platforms, associated data-analysis software and sample-handling equipment.

The competition has concluded and contracts were signed on 4 August 2026 under an open procedure, establishing a framework with up to 50 participants. The contract values are £10 million for teaching optical microscopes, £20 million for research optical microscopes, and £10 million for each of high-throughput systems, laser imaging, super-resolution microscopes, detectors and light sources. Framework suppliers include Appleton Woods, Carl Zeiss, Fisher Scientific, Nikon, Leica Microsystems, BRUKER UK and other specialist distributors and manufacturers; appointments vary by category. Each category has a stated 1,080-day contract period, with a possible extension of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continuing institutional requirements. Technical quality carried 80% and price 20% for six categories; teaching microscopes were evaluated equally on technical quality and price. The submission deadline was 6 May 2026.

This framework demonstrates recurring demand from UK universities, colleges and public bodies for a broad range of microscopy and imaging equipment, alongside servicing, maintenance, repairs, software and consumables. Suppliers suited to similar requirements need credible product coverage within the relevant category, from routine teaching microscopes to advanced laser, high-throughput or super-resolution systems, cameras, detectors and light sources. Service capability matters as the requirement includes ongoing support and repairs, not just equipment supply. The successful suppliers include both specialist SMEs and large manufacturers or distributors, indicating that businesses of different sizes competed. A credible supplier also needs capacity to support multiple institutions across the UK, provide quarterly spend reports, and meet the stated insurance and financial-standing requirements. Technical quality was the main evaluation factor in most categories; the teaching-microscope category gave quality and price equal weight.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Microscopy and Imaging Equipment

Notice Description

The Authority was seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of supply, servicing, maintenance and repairs of microscopes and imaging equipment plus related consumables and software used in research, teaching and medical applications across the further and higher education sector and other public bodies in the UK. This includes Full and Associate Members, and future members, and their associated and affiliated bodies of the UK higher and further education regional purchasing consortia: - APUC Ltd.(Advanced Procurement for Universities & Colleges): https://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk/?#!/members - HEPCW (Higher Education Procurement Consortia Wales): https://www.hepcw.ac.uk/members/ - NEUPC (North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.neupc.ac.uk/join/members/who-are-our-members - NWUPC (North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.nwupc.ac.uk/members/ - LUPC (London Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.lupc.ac.uk/members/our-members/ - SUPC (Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.supc.ac.uk/our-members/ Other participating bodies include: - Scotland Excel and their associate members - NHS National (Scotland) Procurement - Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture - SASA - National Galleries of Scotland - National Records of Scotland - Scottish Police Authority / Police Scotland

Lot Information

Optical Microscopes - Low-End (Teaching)

A variety of low-end optical microscopes, with a price of 10,000 GBP (excl. VAT) and less, suitable for laboratory teaching including, but not be limited to: - Compound Microscopes - upright or inverted equipment featuring optional fluorescence and camera systems for use in teaching, tissue culture analysis and routine applications. - Stereo and/or Zoom Microscopes - equipment featuring optional fluorescence and camera systems, for routine and clinical dissection, sorting, and examination. - Gel Documentation Systems. Additional information: Economic operators may have been excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.

Laser-based Imaging Systems and Laser Components

Upright or inverted microscopes using laser technology such as Confocal, Spinning Disc, TIRF, Light Sheet and Multi-photon. Additional information: Economic operators may have been excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.

Super Resolution and Enhanced Resolution Microscopes

- Deterministic super resolution and stochastic super resolution microscopy equipment such as simulated emission depletion (STED), ground state depletion (GSD), SPDMphymod. - FLIM/FRET systems. - Structured Illumination and other techniques (e.g. array detectors) for super resolution or other methods for achieving sub diffraction optical resolution. Additional information: Economic operators may have been excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.

Detectors (including Cameras)

- Specialist camera and detector components for image acquisition in relation to life science applications and materials research. - Other detectors - Photo Multiplier Tubes (PMTs), FLIM. Additional information: Economic operators may have been excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.

Light Sources

- Incendescent Lamps - Halogen Bulbs - Arc Lamps - LED Light Sources - Lasers. Additional information: Economic operators may have been excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.

Optical Microscopes - High-End (Research)

A variety of high-end optical microscopes, with a price of over 10,000 GBP (excl. VAT), suitable for research including, but not be limited to: - Compound Microscopes - upright or inverted equipment featuring optional fluorescence and camera systems for use in teaching, tissue culture analysis and routine applications. - Stereo and/or Zoom Microscopes - equipment featuring optional fluorescence and camera systems, for routine and clinical dissection, sorting, and examination. - Label Free Holographic Microscopes - Automated Live Cell (extended time lapse) microscopes - Slide scanners. Additional information: Economic operators may have been excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.

High-throughput Systems

A variety of high-end systems and associated products that can be used in high-content screening set up. The imaging systems can be laser-based or not. Associated products can be, but not limited to, software for data analysis, automatic sample handling etc. Additional information: Economic operators may have been excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0675e2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/091063-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

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

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

33128000 - Medical laser other than for surgery

38510000 - Microscopes

38634000 - Optical microscopes

38651000 - Cameras

71900000 - Laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£80,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£30,000,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
6 May 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
February 2029

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
APUC Limited
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
STIRLING
Postcode
FK8 2DZ
Postcode Area
Falkirk and Stirling
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM0 Eastern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM02 Perth and Kinross, and Stirling
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Stirling
Electoral Ward
Stirling East
Westminster Constituency
Stirling and Strathallan

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
30
Supplier Names

Appleton Woods Ltd

Be Scientific Ltd

Carl Zeiss Ltd

Edmund Optics Ltd

Evident Europe GmbH - UK Branch

thermo fisher scientific

GT Vision Ltd

K-Tec Microscope Services Ltd

London Laboratory Equipment Ltd

Microscopy Supplies And Consultants Ltd

Nikon UK Limited

Scientific Laboratory Supplies Limited

SciQuip Ltd

Verulam Scientific Ltd

VWR International Ltd

Cairn Research Ltd

Leica Microsystems (UK) Ltd

MetPrep Ltd

Photon Lines Ltd

Best Scientific

Bruker UK Limited

Promega UK Ltd

Revvity (UK) Limited

Fluidigm UK Limited

Sysmex UK Ltd

HORIBA UK Limited

Intelligent Imaging Innovations Ltd

Oxford Nanoimaging Ltd

Photonic Solutions Ltd

TOPTICA Photonics AG

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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