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BD FACSDiscover S8 Spectral Cell Sorter with CellView Imaging Technology

University Of Edinburgh

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

09 Sep 2026 at 16:29

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Edinburgh procured a BD FACSDiscover S8 spectral cell sorter with CellView imaging technology for research at its Institute for Genetics and Cancer. This is specialist laboratory, optical and precision equipment for spectral flow cytometry, cell sorting and digitally rendered two-dimensional cell imaging. The CellView system uses laser waveforms rather than a conventional camera to produce images equivalent to 10–20 times magnification. Its image-based sorting adds cell morphology as a sorting parameter alongside fluorescence detection. The equipment supports genetic screens using protein localisation or cell morphology, purification of cells at different stages of mitosis, and measurement and purification of cells undergoing protein degradation in the nucleus or cytoplasm. Delivery is associated with the University of Edinburgh.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded. It used a limited procedure without prior publication of a call for competition, following market engagement that concluded there was no reasonable technical alternative or substitute. The University awarded the single lot to Becton Dickinson UK Limited. The contract value is £535,000, and the contract was signed on 9 September 2026. The award rationale was the requirement for integrated image-based sorting using CellView, which the University identified as essential to its research applications and unavailable from alternative spectral cell sorters. The process was conducted as a goods procurement and is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement. The contract is active.

This requirement demonstrates demand for suppliers able to provide and support advanced spectral cell-sorting platforms that combine fluorescence detection, cell sorting and integrated image-based analysis. A credible competitor would need technology capable of digitally rendering individual-cell images and using cell morphology as an additional sorting parameter, rather than supplying a conventional spectral sorter alone. Relevant technical capability includes supporting genetic screens based on subcellular protein localisation or morphology, separating cells through mitosis, and distinguishing protein degradation in the nucleus from degradation in the cytoplasm. The buyer also valued image-based quality control for verifying sorted cells. Suppliers with a differentiated instrument offering, strong application support for genetics and cancer research, and the capacity to meet demanding specialist laboratory requirements would be best placed when this type of requirement returns.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

BD FACSDiscover S8 Spectral Cell Sorter with CellView Imaging Technology

Notice Description

BD FACSDiscover S8 Spectral Cell Sorter with CellView Imaging Technology

Lot Information

Lot 1

The BD FACSDiscover S8 is currently the only spectral cell sorter identified by the University that combines spectral flow cytometry and cell sorting with CellView imaging technology. This camera free technology utilises laser waveforms to digitally render a 2D image of individual cells equivalent to between 10-20x magnification. The cellview imaging technology offers additional sorting parameters, based on cell morphology, that complement the standard fluorescence detection offered by spectral cell sorters The imaging capability is a specific technical requirement for the proposed research applications within the Institute for Genetics and Cancer. It will expand the possible applications of the cell sorter and also providing a previously unavailable quality control tool for verifying sorted cells. The image-based flow sorting capability of the BD FACSDiscover S8 is required to support the following research applications: 1. The ability to perform genetic screens which use subcellular protein localisation and/or cell morphology as a phenotypic read-out. 2. The ability to purify cells at different stages of mitosis 3. The ability to quantify and purify cells undergoing protein degradation in the nucleus versus cytoplasm. The CellView(tm) functionality is therefore an essential technical requirement for the intended research applications. Alternative spectral cell sorters considered by the University do not provide the same integrated image-based sorting capability. As a result, they would not provide the functionality required to undertake the above research applications in the proposed manner. On this basis, the BD FACSDiscover S8 has been identified as the only instrument currently available to the University that meets the specific technical requirements of the proposed research.

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-06f5fb
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/085535-2026
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
£535,000 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Sep 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
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
Postcode Area
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Becton Dickinson U.K. Limited

Further Information

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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