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UKRI-6269 MRC LMS Correlative Tweezers-Fluorescence System

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

18 Aug 2026 at 16:37

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

18 Aug 2026 at 16:21

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation, through the Medical Research Council’s Laboratory of Molecular Biology, procured a correlative tweezers–fluorescence system for laboratory research. The requirement is for specialised laboratory, optical and precision equipment, centred on an integrated LUMICKS C-Trap platform. The system must work with the laboratory’s existing microscopes, established assays and data-analysis workflows. It combines four independently steerable optical traps, multi-colour line-scanning confocal and fluorescence capabilities, synchronised force, distance and fluorescence acquisition, and five-channel laminar-flow microfluidics in one pre-aligned system. Delivery is in the United Kingdom. The buyer is UK Research & Innovation, a central government public authority responsible for funding and supporting research and innovation across the UK.

This procurement is complete and was awarded through a direct award. UKRI selected Lunicks B.V. for the single lot. The award date was 13 August 2026, with an awarded value of £650,000 including applicable taxes. The contract period is 7 September 2026 to 7 September 2029, and the planned signature date is 1 September 2026. The direct award was justified on single-supplier technical grounds and the need for unique work, art or performance: the LUMICKS C-Trap was identified as the only commercially available, pre-aligned system compatible with the laboratory’s existing microscopes, assays and analysis workflows while providing the required integrated capabilities. The procurement was above the relevant threshold.

This requirement demonstrates demand for high-value, highly integrated research instrumentation rather than standard laboratory equipment. A credible future competitor would need to supply or manufacture advanced optical-trapping and fluorescence systems, with independently steerable traps, multi-colour confocal imaging, synchronised force, distance and fluorescence measurement, and multi-channel laminar-flow microfluidics. Compatibility with existing microscopes, laboratory assays and data-analysis workflows is central to the buyer’s technical need, so suppliers would need strong systems-integration capability and evidence that their platform can operate within an established research environment. Pre-aligned installation, reliable precision performance and support for specialist scientific users would also be important. Relevant suppliers are likely to be established manufacturers or specialist distributors with substantial technical capacity and experience delivering complex equipment to UK research laboratories.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-6269 MRC LMS Correlative Tweezers-Fluorescence System

Notice Description

The provision of Correlative Tweezers-Fluorescence System for MRC LMS

Procurement Information

LUMICKS C-Trap is the only system compatible with LMS existing microscopes, established assays, and data-analysis workflows and is the only commercially available, pre-aligned platform that integrates four independently steerable optical traps, multi-colour line-scanning confocal, fluorescence, Synchronised force, distance, and fluorescence acquisition, and Five-channel laminar-flow microfluidics within a single system.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e6e2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078699-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award 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
£650,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
13 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
7 Sep 2026 - 7 Sep 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Postcode Area
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Lunicks B.V

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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