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Lightsheet microscope system

University Of Edinburgh

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

09 Feb 2026 at 00:00

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

The University of Edinburgh, located at Charles Stewart House, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, recently completed a procurement process for a lightsheet microscope system. This procurement falls under the education sector and was finalised at the award stage on 9th February 2026. Utilising a limited procurement method, the award was conducted without prior publication of a call for competition and relied on the Ranked Direct Award methodology from the APUC buying consortium framework, LAB1028AP. The contract, valued at £730,302.66, was signed on 3rd October 2025. The requirement was identified based on the high-resolution imaging needs of IGC and CMVM research, with delivery intended for the UKM75 region.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the high-technology sector, specifically those producing advanced scientific imaging equipment. Carl Zeiss Ltd, identified as a large-scale supplier, succeeded in this procurement by demonstrating their capability to meet specific technical requirements. Businesses involved in the development of cutting-edge research instruments, particularly those focusing on developmental and cancer biology, stand to benefit from engaging in similar procurements. Organisations that are already part of recognised procurement frameworks may have a strategic advantage in winning such contracts. Overall, this opportunity underscores the importance of specialising in niche scientific technologies in order to leverage institutional research needs for business growth.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Lightsheet microscope system

Notice Description

IGC and CMVM research requires very high resolution imaging of large samples (organoids, model organisms etc) using very gentle illumination. We have already conducted several detailed studies into the imaging methodology required for our applications and have already ruled out: 'Spinning disk / point scanning confocal' type illumination as this is too photo-toxic, Gaussian type light sheet, as the abberations in the light sheet beam path are not compatible with our samples, Oblique Plane type imaging approaches as the field of view and resolution of these approaches are not appropriate for our science. Since this equipment is mainly for use in Developmental and cancer biology we also need the system to be fully enclosed and provide a very stable environment for periods of days. It has been determined that a lightsheet type microscope with laser beam forming would be required to fulfil this requirement.

Lot Information

Lot 1

IGC and CMVM research requires very high resolution imaging of large samples (organoids, model organisms etc) using very gentle illumination. We have already conducted several detailed studies into the imaging methodology required for our applications and have already ruled out: 'Spinning disk / point scanning confocal' type illumination as this is too photo-toxic, Gaussian type light sheet, as the abberations in the light sheet beam path are not compatible with our samples, Oblique Plane type imaging approaches as the field of view and resolution of these approaches are not appropriate for our science. Since this equipment is mainly for use in Developmental and cancer biology we also need the system to be fully enclosed and provide a very stable environment for periods of days. It has been determined that a lightsheet type microscope with laser beam forming would be required to fulfil this requirement.. This was a call-off from APUC buying consortium framework LAB1028AP. Suppliers were engaged in order using the 'Ranked Direct Award' methodology set out in the framework, and Zeiss was the first supplier in the ranking to demonstrate they could fulfil the requirement.

Procurement Information

This was a call-off from APUC buying consortium framework LAB1028AP. Suppliers were engaged in order using the 'Ranked Direct Award' methodology set out in the framework, and Zeiss was the first supplier in the ranking to demonstrate they could fulfil the requirement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000823166
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549164
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
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

CPV Codes

38510000 - Microscopes

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£730,302 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Feb 20266 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Oct 202510 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

Carl Zeiss Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549164
    Lightsheet microscope system - IGC and CMVM research requires very high resolution imaging of large samples (organoids, model organisms etc) using very gentle illumination. We have already conducted several detailed studies into the imaging methodology required for our applications and have already ruled out: 'Spinning disk / point scanning confocal' type illumination as this is too photo-toxic, Gaussian type light sheet, as the abberations in the light sheet beam path are not compatible with our samples, Oblique Plane type imaging approaches as the field of view and resolution of these approaches are not appropriate for our science. Since this equipment is mainly for use in Developmental and cancer biology we also need the system to be fully enclosed and provide a very stable environment for periods of days. It has been determined that a lightsheet type microscope with laser beam forming would be required to fulfil this requirement.

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