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Functional Ultrasound Scanner

University Of Edinburgh

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

21 Jan 2026 at 00:00

OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Edinburgh has completed a procurement process for the acquisition of a functional ultrasound (fUS) scanner with advanced non-invasive imaging capabilities. This process falls under the education industry category and is intended for use within the Centre for Cardiovascular Science at the Institute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research. The procurement, identified by the title "Functional Ultrasound Scanner," follows an award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition, due to the specific technical requirements needed. Based in Edinburgh, the procurement was officially awarded on 21 January 2026, with the contract valued at €491,500. The award phase is marked as complete, and the sole supplier meeting the criteria was ICONEUS, a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) based in Paris. The purchase involved technical specifications that could only be satisfied by a particular supplier due to the absence of competition for technical reasons. The scanner must meet various high standards for scientific research, such as high spatial and temporal resolution, and advanced functionalities like 3D imaging support. Specific procurement method details suggest a limited procurement approach was deployed.

This award presents significant opportunities for businesses in the medical imaging technology sector, particularly those capable of providing highly specialised equipment for research institutions. Innovative small to medium-sized enterprises with a focus on cutting-edge imaging technologies, especially those that can offer bespoke, high-resolution imaging solutions with additional functionalities such as super-resolution imaging, would find a favourable position in this domain. The necessity for comprehensive technical support, including installation and user training, further highlights the opportunity for service-oriented firms to collaborate with high-profile research institutions. Given the high technical requirements outlined, companies that excel in providing advanced imaging systems for neurological and cardiovascular research applications can leverage such contracts to demonstrate their capabilities and expand their presence in the scientific and educational sector. As technology evolves, maintaining the capacity for upgrades and adaptations can further enhance business growth and establish long-term client relationships.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Functional Ultrasound Scanner

Notice Description

This contract award notice refers to the purchase of a functional ultrasound (fUS) scanner (not to be confused with FUS which is focused ultrasound - which is used for ultrasound therapy applications such as ablation)

Lot Information

Lot 1

This contract award notice refers to the purchase of a functional ultrasound (fUS) scanner (not to be confused with FUS which is focussed ultrasound - which is used for ultrasound therapy applications such as ablation). Essential Scanner Features Non-invasive brain imaging: Imaging of brain blood flow dynamics in the mouse brain without the need to create an acoustic window High spatial resolution: Ability to achieve real-time spatial resolution better than 100 microns sufficient for visualising the mouse brain High temporal resolution: Ability to achieve temporal resolution better than 100 ms to enable dynamic imaging of brain blood flow Atlas registration: In-built Allen brain atlas so that the acquired brain images can be registered Functional connectivity analysis: In-built interactive software to build connectivity matrices, seed maps, and perform region-based analyses. Ultrasound localisation microscopy: Capability for super-resolution imaging and visualisation of the microvascular tree in the brain or other soft tissue organs, including associated analysis software. 3D imaging support: Ability to perform volumetric imaging and reconstruction of brain regions. Blood flow velocity analysis: Software to support calculation of the velocity of blood moving within the micro- vasculature of the brain or other soft tissue organs Portability and motorised scanning: Portable/moveable system with motorised scanning table and associated hardware to support ultrasound scanning of fixed-head or fixed-organ animals. Offline analysis: Full capability for offline data analysis, including export to standard analysis platforms (e.g. MATLAB, Python). Awake and anaesthetised imaging: System adaptable for both anaesthetised and awake mouse imaging, including head-fixation and behavioural setups. Physiological synchronisation: Compatibility with physiological monitoring systems (e.g. ECG, respiration) and synchronisation with external equipment such as stimulation, electrophysiology, or behavioural tracking systems. Upgrade and expandability: Modular design to support future hardware or software upgrades (e.g. dual-probe imaging, extended field-of-view). Training and technical support: Comprehensive technical support, including on-site installation, user training, software updates, and a warranty/maintenance plan.

Procurement Information

The Centre for Cardiovascular Science within the Institute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research has received funding to purchase a functional ultrasound (fUS) scanner (not to be confused with FUS, which is focused ultrasound, which is used for ultrasound therapy applications such as ablation). To meet UoE research priorities, any functional ultrasound (fUS) scanner purchased had to meet a certain set of criteria. - Non-invasive Imaging: Imaging of blood flow dynamics without the need to create an acoustic window. - High Spatial Resolution: Ability to achieve real-time spatial resolution better than 100 microns. - High Temporal Resolution: Ability to achieve temporal resolution better than 100ms to enable dynamic imaging of blood flow. - Atlas registration: In-built Allen atlas, so that the acquired images can be registered. - Functional connectivity analysis: In-built interactive software to build connectivity matrices, seed maps, and perform region-based analyses. - Ultrasound localisation microscopy: Capability for super-resolution imaging and visualisation of the microvascular tree in the brain or other soft tissue organs, including associated analysis software. - 3D imaging support: Ability to perform volumetric imaging and reconstruction of brain regions. - Blood flow velocity analysis: Software to support the calculation of the velocity of blood moving within the microvasculature of the brain or other soft tissue organs. - Portability and motorised scanning: Portable/moveable system with motorised scanning table and associated hardware to support ultrasound scanning of fixed-head or fixed-organ. - Offline analysis: Full capability for offline data analysis, including export to standard analysis platforms (e.g. MATLAB, Python). - Awake and anaesthetised imaging: System adaptable for both anaesthetised and awake imaging, including head-fixation and behavioural setups. - Physiological synchronisation: Compatibility with physiological monitoring systems (e.g. ECG, respiration) and synchronisation with external equipment such as stimulation, electrophysiology, or behavioural tracking systems. The above requirement was posted on Public Contracts Scotland on 17th November 2025 as a Prior Information Notice. Only 1 supplier responded that could meet all the requirements.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000821275
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JAN547708
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F3 - Contract 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
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

CPV Codes

33112300 - Ultrasound scanners

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£491,500 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Jan 20267 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
21 Jan 20267 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

ICONEUS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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