Notice Information
Notice Title
Cytation 9 Imager and 406 FX Washer/Reagent Dispenser
Notice Description
Cytation 9 Imager and 406 FX Washer/Reagent Dispenser
Lot Information
Lot 1
We are awarding a contract to Agilent Technologies LDA UK Limited for the purchase of the Cytation 9 Imager and the 406 FX Washer/Reagent Dispenser based on their ability to meet specific technical and operational requirements. The Edinburgh Genome Foundry is undergoing major expansion to incorporate a fully automated platform for the handling and analysis of mammalian cells. For a piece of kit to be integrated in such an automated platform, it needs to be designed especially for this purpose. The Agilent Cytation 9 combines high-content imaging, multimode microplate reading, and both upright and inverted microscopy within a single instrument. The Agilent BioTek 406 FX also combines automated washing and reagent dispensing capabilities, together with built-in ultrasonic maintenance technology (key for fully automated operations) within a single integrated system. This is a unique combination of capabilities that would otherwise require multiple instruments. It is necessary for these instruments to perform multiple functions due to essential requirement to fit a robotic platform in a limited space and therefore it is not possible to have separate standalone instruments performing each function. The Agilent solutions provide the required functionality while maintaining the performance standards necessary for advanced cell-based assay workflows. Furthermore, the Cytation 9 and 406 FX are designed to operate as complementary components within automated cell-based assay workflows. This integrated workflow enables efficient end-to-end automation, reduces manual intervention, and supports the facility's requirement for high-throughput, reproducible operation. The facility also collaborates extensively with international Biofoundries and partner laboratories that utilise the same platform. Adoption of this equipment will facilitate collaboration, enable the exchange of validated protocols and data, and support standardisation of workflows across laboratories, which is a key requirement within Engineering Biology.
Procurement Information
After comprehensive market engagement, competition is absent for technical reasons. No reasonable alternative or substitute exists and the absence of competition is not the result of an artificial narrowing down of the parameters of the procurement. This notice is the final piece of due diligence prior to the award of the contract. Should a supplier detail their ability to meet the requirements, then the award will be halted.
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-06b335
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055331-2026
- 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
38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- Not specified
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- £194,999 £100K-£500K
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 11 Jun 20261 weeks ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- Not specified
- Award Date
- 10 Jun 20262 weeks ago
- Contract Period
- Not specified - Not specified
- Recurrence
- Not specified
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Complete
- Lots Status
- Not Specified
- Awards Status
- Active
- Contracts Status
- Active
Buyer & Supplier
Contracting Authority (Buyer)
- Main Buyer
- UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
- Contact Name
- Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
- Contact Email
- Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
- Contact Phone
- Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
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
Further Information
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
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.
{
"tag": [
"compiled"
],
"id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06b335-2026-06-11T15:13:12+01:00",
"date": "2026-06-11T15:13:12+01:00",
"ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06b335",
"description": "(SC Ref:834473)",
"initiationType": "tender",
"tender": {
"id": "DA0473",
"legalBasis": {
"id": "32014L0024",
"scheme": "CELEX"
},
"title": "Cytation 9 Imager and 406 FX Washer/Reagent Dispenser",
"status": "complete",
"classification": {
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "38000000",
"description": "Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)"
},
"mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
"description": "Cytation 9 Imager and 406 FX Washer/Reagent Dispenser",
"lots": [
{
"id": "1",
"description": "We are awarding a contract to Agilent Technologies LDA UK Limited for the purchase of the Cytation 9 Imager and the 406 FX Washer/Reagent Dispenser based on their ability to meet specific technical and operational requirements. The Edinburgh Genome Foundry is undergoing major expansion to incorporate a fully automated platform for the handling and analysis of mammalian cells. For a piece of kit to be integrated in such an automated platform, it needs to be designed especially for this purpose. The Agilent Cytation 9 combines high-content imaging, multimode microplate reading, and both upright and inverted microscopy within a single instrument. The Agilent BioTek 406 FX also combines automated washing and reagent dispensing capabilities, together with built-in ultrasonic maintenance technology (key for fully automated operations) within a single integrated system. This is a unique combination of capabilities that would otherwise require multiple instruments. It is necessary for these instruments to perform multiple functions due to essential requirement to fit a robotic platform in a limited space and therefore it is not possible to have separate standalone instruments performing each function. The Agilent solutions provide the required functionality while maintaining the performance standards necessary for advanced cell-based assay workflows. Furthermore, the Cytation 9 and 406 FX are designed to operate as complementary components within automated cell-based assay workflows. This integrated workflow enables efficient end-to-end automation, reduces manual intervention, and supports the facility's requirement for high-throughput, reproducible operation. The facility also collaborates extensively with international Biofoundries and partner laboratories that utilise the same platform. Adoption of this equipment will facilitate collaboration, enable the exchange of validated protocols and data, and support standardisation of workflows across laboratories, which is a key requirement within Engineering Biology.",
"hasOptions": false
}
],
"items": [
{
"id": "1",
"additionalClassifications": [
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "38000000",
"description": "Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)"
}
],
"deliveryAddresses": [
{
"region": "UKM75"
}
],
"relatedLot": "1"
}
],
"procurementMethod": "limited",
"procurementMethodDetails": "Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition",
"coveredBy": [
"GPA"
],
"procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
{
"id": "D_OUTSIDE_SCOPE",
"scheme": "TED_PT_AWARD_CONTRACT_WITHOUT_CALL",
"description": "The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive"
}
],
"procurementMethodRationale": "After comprehensive market engagement, competition is absent for technical reasons. No reasonable alternative or substitute exists and the absence of competition is not the result of an artificial narrowing down of the parameters of the procurement. This notice is the final piece of due diligence prior to the award of the contract. Should a supplier detail their ability to meet the requirements, then the award will be halted."
},
"awards": [
{
"id": "055331-2026-DA0473-1",
"relatedLots": [
"1"
],
"status": "active",
"suppliers": [
{
"id": "GB-FTS-102995",
"name": "Agilent Technologies LDA UK Ltd"
}
]
}
],
"parties": [
{
"id": "GB-FTS-2023",
"name": "University Of Edinburgh",
"identifier": {
"legalName": "University Of Edinburgh"
},
"address": {
"streetAddress": "Charles Stewart House, 9-16 Chambers Street",
"locality": "Edinburgh",
"region": "UKM75",
"postalCode": "EH1 1HT",
"countryName": "United Kingdom"
},
"contactPoint": {
"telephone": "+44 1316502759",
"email": "rachael.bull@ed.ac.uk"
},
"roles": [
"buyer"
],
"details": {
"url": "http://www.ed.ac.uk",
"buyerProfile": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00107",
"classifications": [
{
"id": "BODY_PUBLIC",
"scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
"description": "Body governed by public law"
},
{
"id": "09",
"scheme": "COFOG",
"description": "Education"
}
]
}
},
{
"id": "GB-FTS-102995",
"name": "Agilent Technologies LDA UK Ltd",
"identifier": {
"legalName": "Agilent Technologies LDA UK Ltd"
},
"address": {
"streetAddress": "5500 Lakeside, Cheadle Royal Business Park",
"locality": "Cheadle",
"region": "UK",
"postalCode": "SK8 3GR",
"countryName": "United Kingdom"
},
"roles": [
"supplier"
],
"details": {
"scale": "large"
}
},
{
"id": "GB-FTS-1033",
"name": "Edinburgh Sheriff Court",
"identifier": {
"legalName": "Edinburgh Sheriff Court"
},
"address": {
"locality": "Edinburgh",
"countryName": "United Kingdom"
},
"roles": [
"reviewBody"
]
}
],
"buyer": {
"id": "GB-FTS-2023",
"name": "University Of Edinburgh"
},
"contracts": [
{
"id": "055331-2026-DA0473-1",
"awardID": "055331-2026-DA0473-1",
"status": "active",
"value": {
"amount": 194999.97,
"currency": "GBP"
},
"dateSigned": "2026-06-11T00:00:00+01:00"
}
],
"links": [
{
"rel": "canonical",
"href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000834473"
}
],
"language": "en"
}