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X-ray source

University Of Edinburgh

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

13 Aug 2026 at 01:00

PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice
Tender

14 Jan 2026 at 00:00

PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Edinburgh bought a replacement X-ray source for the School of Geosciences’ bespoke cone-beam X-ray microtomography instrument in Edinburgh. This is specialist scientific imaging equipment, including commissioning and essential ancillary equipment. The requirement considered either an open microfocus X-ray source with active vacuum pumping or a closed X-ray tube. Physical integration into the existing instrument is to be carried out by the University. The package includes the source and associated control electronics, high-voltage generation, control computer and software, plus equipment such as vacuum pumps and cooling units. The source will operate in an interlocked, shielded room and must support imaging of geological, engineered and some biological materials. Software integration with the instrument’s data acquisition system is not required, and radiation-safety approval applies to commissioning and integration.

The procurement is complete and was run as a single-lot open procedure for goods. The estimated procurement value was £208,000. Two electronic bids were received, both from non-EU suppliers. High Technology Sources Limited was awarded the contract for £144,816 on 28 January 2026; the contract was signed on 20 March 2026 and is active. The initial contract period is 360 days, with renewal possible for a year or multiple years up to a total duration of eight years from order placement. Evaluation required appropriate certificates for supplying the products and services, alongside critical technical requirements: dual transmission and reflection illumination, a continuous beam, maximum energy of 160 keV, operation from a single-phase 230 V supply, and commissioning and user training. Desirable features included fine energy and current adjustment, a small focal spot and user servicing.

This award shows demand from the University of Edinburgh for high-specification X-ray sources used in cone-beam microtomography. Credible competitors would need to supply a dual-illumination transmission and reflection solution, either in one unit with exchangeable tube heads or as separate sources, with continuous output and energy not exceeding 160 keV. The equipment must illuminate a 20 by 20 cm flat-panel camera at source-to-camera distances of 50 to 150 cm, run from standard UK mains power and fit through 120 cm-wide by 200 cm-high doorways. Suppliers should be able to provide control electronics, a high-voltage generator, perpetual-license software, ancillary equipment, commissioning and operator training. Strong capability also includes user-serviceable equipment, small focal spots, site-survey support and recycling or removal of the existing source.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

X-ray source

Notice Description

The School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh hosts a bespoke cone-beam X-ray microtomography instrument which was designed and constructed in-house. This tendering process is to acquire a replacement X-ray source for that instrument. Both open microfocus X-ray source(s) with active vacuum pumping and closed X-ray tube types will be considered. This tender request is for the provision and commissioning of an X-ray source and its essential ancillary equipment. Physical integration of the source into our existing X-ray microtomography instrument will be completed in-house. The Edinburgh instrument is housed in an interlocked, shielded room - while there are few restrictions on space, the requested technical details include the dimensions of the X-ray source(s) and support equipment to permit estimation of the footprint required. Integration of the X-ray source control software with the data acquisition software of our microtomography instrument is not required. The tendering, commissioning and integration of the source into our existing microtomography instrument will be subject to consultation with and approval by the University's Radiation Safety Officer.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Critical Criteria - these criteria must be met by a successful tender. 1) The X-ray source(s) must be a dual illumination (a transmission source and a reflection source) solution, either by means of a single unit with exchangeable tube heads or through the provision of discrete transmission and reflection sources. 2) The X-ray source(s) must be suitable for use in X-ray microtomography applications (imaging of geological, engineered and some biological materials). 3) The X-ray source(s) must produce a continuous (i.e. not pulsed) X-ray beam suitable for use in Cone-beam X-ray microtomography. 4) The X-ray energy range produced by the source must have a maximum energy not exceeding 160 keV. 5) A dual illumination (transmission and reflection) solution, with all control electronics, high voltage generator, control computer, control software (perpetual license) and all other essential ancillary equipment (e.g. vacuum pumps, cooling units) for the operation of the source(s) is required. 6) The source(s), control electronics and other ancillary equipment must be able to be powered from a single phase 230 V, 50 Hz supply (i.e. the standard UK mains electricity supply). 7) Housing for control electronics (e.g. 19" racking) should be provided as necessary. 8) Commissioning of the source(s) by a service engineer and training in the operation and user serviceable maintenance of the x-ray source is required. 9) In our application the source(s) must be able to illuminate a 20 x 20 cm flat panel X-ray camera at source to camera distances of between 50 cm and 150 cm. Desirable criteria 1) Energy adjustment steps of the order of 1 keV increments and target current adjustment steps of the order of 5 uA increments (or better) are preferred. 2) It is desirable that the focal spot size is as small as possible for a given power level. 3) It is desirable that the source can be serviced by the user. Dimensional limitations - It is anticipated that the X-ray source (not including any separate generators and/or control electronics) will not exceed 70 kg and, for installation purposes, all components of the package will fit through access doorways of 120 cm width and 200 cm height. - The University takes no liability if it is subsequently found the supplier solution cannot fit in the available site area. In such case the University may rescind 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. Removal of prior device It is desirable that the Bidder offers to take away the existing X-Ray source for recycling. In this case they should specify any trade-in value or cost associated with this in the relevant optional box in Schedule 4 - Pricing.

Options: The University may buy services, spare and consumables related to the X-Ray equipment from the awarded supplier utilising the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Call for Competition.

Renewal: Initial term reflects expectation on initial minimum warranty period. University may extend this contract by a year or multiples of a year up to a total duration of 8 years from order placement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000820666
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG562258
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

CPV Codes

33111000 - X-ray devices

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£208,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£144,816 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
28 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Mar 20265 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
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

High Technology Sources Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JAN547222
    X-ray source - The School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh hosts a bespoke cone-beam X-ray microtomography instrument which was designed and constructed in-house. This tendering process is to acquire a replacement X-ray source for that instrument. Both open microfocus X-ray source(s) with active vacuum pumping and closed X-ray tube types will be considered. This tender request is for the provision and commissioning of an X-ray source and its essential ancillary equipment. Physical integration of the source into our existing X-ray microtomography instrument will be completed in-house. The Edinburgh instrument is housed in an interlocked, shielded room - while there are few restrictions on space, the requested technical details include the dimensions of the X-ray source(s) and support equipment to permit estimation of the footprint required. Integration of the X-ray source control software with the data acquisition software of our microtomography instrument is not required. The tendering, commissioning and integration of the source into our existing microtomography instrument will be subject to consultation with and approval by the University's Radiation Safety Officer.
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG562258
    X-ray source - The School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh hosts a bespoke cone-beam X-ray microtomography instrument which was designed and constructed in-house. This tendering process is to acquire a replacement X-ray source for that instrument. Both open microfocus X-ray source(s) with active vacuum pumping and closed X-ray tube types will be considered. This tender request is for the provision and commissioning of an X-ray source and its essential ancillary equipment. Physical integration of the source into our existing X-ray microtomography instrument will be completed in-house. The Edinburgh instrument is housed in an interlocked, shielded room - while there are few restrictions on space, the requested technical details include the dimensions of the X-ray source(s) and support equipment to permit estimation of the footprint required. Integration of the X-ray source control software with the data acquisition software of our microtomography instrument is not required. The tendering, commissioning and integration of the source into our existing microtomography instrument will be subject to consultation with and approval by the University's Radiation Safety Officer.

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