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Confocal Microscopes Service Contract

University of Portsmouth

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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28 Aug 2026 at 09:38

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Portsmouth Higher Education Corporation procured a specialist service contract for its two Zeiss confocal microscopes. The requirement covers regular preventative maintenance, calibration, software support and emergency breakdown cover, supporting the safe and reliable operation of equipment used for research and teaching. This is a laboratory equipment maintenance and technical support service, classified under CPV 73111000, research laboratory services. Work is delivered for the University in Portsmouth, United Kingdom. The equipment is specialised and manufacturer-specific, with the service requirement focused on maintaining two existing Zeiss confocal microscope systems rather than supplying new microscopes or broader laboratory services.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded to CARL ZEISS LTD. The University used a direct award below the applicable threshold without competition. One lot was completed. The contract was signed on 3 August 2026 and runs from 3 August 2026 to 2 August 2027. Its value is £33,696 excluding VAT and £40,435.20 including VAT. The selected supplier is providing the full service requirement for both microscopes. The process therefore demonstrates a manufacturer-specific, single-supplier outcome based on a direct procurement route, rather than a competed tender evaluated through published price and quality criteria.

This procurement is relevant to suppliers with specialist capability in servicing Zeiss confocal microscopes and supporting advanced research imaging equipment. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need qualified engineers able to carry out preventative maintenance, calibration and emergency fault response, together with practical expertise in microscope software support. Evidence of safe, reliable servicing of comparable laboratory systems would be important, as would the operational capacity to support two critical assets used across research and teaching. Suppliers should also understand the service expectations associated with manufacturer-specific equipment, including rapid breakdown cover and maintaining calibration and performance continuity for a university laboratory environment.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Confocal Microscopes Service Contract

Notice Description

The University operates two Zeiss confocal microscopes that are critical pieces of specialist research and teaching equipment. These systems require regular preventative maintenance, calibration, software support and emergency breakdown cover to ensure continued safe and reliable operation.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ee39
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082037-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73111000 - Research laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£33,696 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
3 Aug 2026 - 2 Aug 2027 6-12 months
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 Portsmouth
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
PORTSMOUTH
Postcode
PO1 2UP
Postcode Area
Portsmouth
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ31 Portsmouth
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Portsmouth
Electoral Ward
St Thomas
Westminster Constituency
Portsmouth South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Carl Zeiss Ltd

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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