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Microscopy data management system

University of Exeter

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

24 Jul 2026 at 11:14

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

21 May 2026 at 11:46

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

21 May 2026 at 11:39

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Exeter procured a microscopy data management system for its Bioimaging Centre. The requirement is to expand the centre’s existing instrument ecosystem and upgrade its existing instrumentation, forming part of its laboratory, optical and precision equipment needs. Delivery is for the University of Exeter in Exeter, United Kingdom. The procurement covers one requirement and is categorised as goods. The solution is relevant to suppliers of microscopy data management platforms, laboratory informatics, scientific instrument software and integrated research equipment. It is particularly relevant where a supplier can extend or connect an established microscopy and bioimaging environment rather than provide an unrelated standalone system. The buyer is a public authority and the requirement relates specifically to university bioimaging and research operations.

The procurement is complete and was awarded through a direct award on the basis of single-supplier technical reasons: the buyer stated that upgrading the existing Bioimaging Centre instrumentation could only be achieved by the selected supplier. The award was made to Bruker UK Limited on 20 May 2026 for £227,000, including gross value, and the contract was signed on 2 June 2026. The active contract runs from 3 June 2026 to 30 June 2029. The award followed a standstill period ending on 2 June 2026, with signature scheduled for 3 June 2026. There was one lot, marked as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. The contract value is above the relevant threshold, and the procurement was evaluated through the stated technical single-supplier rationale rather than a competitive tender.

This award demonstrates demand from the University of Exeter for an integrated microscopy data management solution capable of expanding an existing instrument ecosystem and upgrading established Bioimaging Centre instrumentation. A credible future competitor would need proven capability in microscopy informatics, scientific data management and interoperability with laboratory imaging equipment. Experience of working within university research environments and bioimaging centres would be commercially relevant, particularly where the requirement depends on compatibility with an installed instrument base. Suppliers should be able to evidence technical control over the relevant platform and equipment integrations, since the buyer’s stated rationale centred on achieving the upgrade through a single supplier. Small and medium-sized businesses may find the requirement commercially relevant, as the awarded supplier is recorded as an SME.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Microscopy data management system

Notice Description

Microscopy data management system to expand our existing instrument ecosystem within the Bioimaging Centre.

Procurement Information

Microscopy data management system to upgrade the existing instrumentation within the Bioimaging Centre which could only be achieved by this supplier.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069eda
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070164-2026
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
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

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
£227,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£227,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 May 20264 months ago
Contract Period
3 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University of Exeter
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EXETER
Postcode
EX4 4QJ
Postcode Area
Exeter
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK43 Devon CC
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Exeter
Electoral Ward
Duryard and St James
Westminster Constituency
Exeter

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Bruker UK Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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