Notice Information
Notice Title
High Pressure Vitreous Freezer
Notice Description
The School of Physics and Astronomy has a requirement for a 'High Pressure Vitreous Freezer' (HPVF); this is a device that freezes samples to extreme low temperature at an exceptionally high rate to essentially 'freeze a sample in time'. If a sample is cooled at a slower rate ice may form within/on fragile samples (for example cells), which would swell/crystalise and destroy the nano/microstructure of the sample. Freezing at an exceptionally high rate freezes the sample faster than ice can form, avoiding this issue. This machine will be used for experimental sample preparation.
Lot Information
Lot 1
DETAILED SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL: - The ability to vitreously freeze small volumes (specimen carriers described later) of soft and liquid samples by using a combination of high pressures and liquid nitrogen - Must achieve a minimum cooling rate of 2000K/s - Must be able to exert pressures on the sample in the range of 1900 - 2200 bar during the freezing process to inhibit ice nucleation - Use 3mm and 6mm diameter planchette specimen carriers to hold the sample during freezing - Output freezing parameters after the freezing process - Vitreously freeze non-biological and biological samples up to 200 um thick - Use mains electricity in the lab and conform to UK/CE electrical safety standards. - Installation, commissioning and testing of the equipment. - User Training provided. - Access requirements for the lab: Fire exit width: 139cm. Lab door width: 130cm(W) * 210cm(H); Corridor: 159cm(min width); Weight: Passes through corridors with areas of possible max weight "not exceeding 580kg per square metre". - 1 year manufacturer's parts and labour warranty - Basic level of service contract(extended warranty) + Support helpline and troubleshooting for 3 years post initial warranty period. - Device should be reliable and have a long supported life (ideally not less than 10 years) - Product must fit within available lab space; floor plan max area 2m x 2m OPTIONAL/DESIRABLE: - The ability to also use other types of "standard" HPF specimen carriers, such as copper tubes (0.4-0.9 mm diameter), sapphire disks, other, etc. - Able to fit into or Retrofittable into a Correlative Light-Electron Microscopy (CLEM) workflow and/or employ the "Waffle" method for a cryo on-grid thinning workflow. Live cell imaging is not needed (freezing sample seconds after an "event") as part of the initial requirement. In the future we may want to freeze a sample and observe it with light and electron microscopy but freezing the sample at a specific time is likely not needed. - Reliable stock of consumables/specimen carriers for purchase AWARD The University anticipates initially awarding for; - Device manufactured, delivered into the lab, installed, commissioned and tested by supplier; to be in a fully operable state - User training - 1 year full parts and labour warranty - Parts and labour extended service for 3 years post warranty The University welcomes suppliers providing details of their enhanced service offerings for comparison. INSTALLATION SURVEY: - Initial measurements have been provided for entrance ways and available floor space above but these are approximations - The University will take no liability if a supplier subsequently discovers they cannot deliver or install their solution without changes to the building fabric; in such circumstances the University may at its discretion cancel the award and award to the next-ranked supplier - Giving reasonable notice (and subject to any submission deadline) suppliers may request the opportunity to conduct a single site survey prior to submitting their bid and/or finalising the contract post-award, providing the University and Supplier can agree a mutually convenient date and time. We encourage suppliers to take this opportunity. MANUFACTURING DEADLINE Unless otherwise agreed or offered by the University suppliers must meet a deadline to manufacture and deliver the winning machine, and install+ commission it, by no later than end June 2026.
Options: Purchase of sundries, additional service and machine extensions may be undertaken with the winning bidder via the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Call For Competition
Renewal: Duration estimate reflects; Initial term consisting of 1 year warranty and 3 years extended service (4 years) + the option to extend service for a further 4 years, to give a total potential term of approximately 8 years post-device delivery
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-r6ebe6-0000800799
- Publication Source
- Public Contracts Scotland
- Latest Notice
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB548503
- Current Stage
- Award
- All Stages
- Tender, Award
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
- Procurement Type
- Standard
- Procurement Category
- Goods
- Procurement Method
- Selective
- Procurement Method Details
- Competitive procedure with negotiation
- Tender Suitability
- Not specified
- Awardee Scale
- SME
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
42 - Industrial machinery
-
- CPV Codes
38600000 - Optical instruments
42000000 - Industrial machinery
42513100 - Freezing equipment
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- £361,000 £100K-£500K
- Lots Value
- £361,000 £100K-£500K
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- £267,160 £100K-£500K
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 2 Feb 20263 months ago
- Submission Deadline
- 7 Jul 2025Expired
- Future Notice Date
- Not specified
- Award Date
- 5 Jan 20264 months ago
- Contract Period
- Not specified - Not specified
- Recurrence
- Not specified
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Complete
- Lots Status
- Complete
- Awards Status
- Not Specified
- 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
Notice Documents
-
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN531896
High Pressure Vitreous Freezer - The School of Physics and Astronomy has a requirement for a 'High Pressure Vitreous Freezer' (HPVF); this is a device that freezes samples to extreme low temperature at an exceptionally high rate to essentially 'freeze a sample in time'. If a sample is cooled at a slower rate ice may form within/on fragile samples (for example cells), which would swell/crystalise and destroy the nano/microstructure of the sample. Freezing at an exceptionally high rate freezes the sample faster than ice can form, avoiding this issue. This machine will be used for experimental sample preparation. -
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB548503
High Pressure Vitreous Freezer - The School of Physics and Astronomy has a requirement for a 'High Pressure Vitreous Freezer' (HPVF); this is a device that freezes samples to extreme low temperature at an exceptionally high rate to essentially 'freeze a sample in time'. If a sample is cooled at a slower rate ice may form within/on fragile samples (for example cells), which would swell/crystalise and destroy the nano/microstructure of the sample. Freezing at an exceptionally high rate freezes the sample faster than ice can form, avoiding this issue. This machine will be used for experimental sample preparation.
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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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