Award

Purchase of a nCounter Pro Analysis System

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

13 Apr 2026 at 00:00

PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Edinburgh has completed the procurement process for the purchase of an nCounter Pro Analysis System. The contracting authority is located at Charles Stewart House, Chambers Street, Edinburgh. This procurement falls under the education category and addresses the need for continuity and technical compatibility within their research frameworks. The contract was awarded to Bruker Spatial Biology and involves the supply of goods. The award was executed without prior publication, as it is a procedure necessitated by technical reasons, ensuring alignment with existing laboratory equipment. The contract, valued at £120,000, was signed on 8th April 2026 and aims to maintain research operations affected by the discontinuation of the Gen2 version of the nCounter system, which will be unsupported from January 2027.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities, particularly for businesses specialising in laboratory analysis systems and proprietary molecular barcode technologies. Companies experienced in providing high-tech analytical equipment required for sophisticated genetic and cancer research applications would be well-suited to compete in such specialised tenders. The award emphasises the need for technical specifications and system compatibility, which can be a critical factor for businesses aiming to collaborate with large educational institutions. Engaging with contracts like this can enhance a supplier's portfolio and strengthen their reputation in the life sciences and educational research sectors.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Purchase of a nCounter Pro Analysis System

Notice Description

nCounter Pro Analysis System

Procurement Information

The nCounter Analysis system has been an established and well used service in Institute for Genetics and Cancer since 2017. The current Gen2 version of the nCounter Analysis System will no longer be supported by Bruker/NanoString from January 2027 and will be replaced by the nCounter Pro Analysis System. We are awarding the contract to Bruker Spatial Biology for the following reasons: 1. Continuity of Research: A like-for-like replacement is essential to ensure continuity of ongoing research. The nCounter system uses proprietary molecular barcode reagents that deliver highly robust and reproducible results, even across instruments in different labs and countries. The facility currently supports a large number of ongoing studies, including a multicentre clinical trial since 2019 across the UK and France. All participating sites use a Bruker Spatial Biology custom codeset specific to the trial, which can only be analysed on the nCounter system. Access to the nCounter Pro is therefore critical to maintain consistency in processed and procedures, and ensure continuity of results. 2. Technical Compatibility: The facility currently owns a GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler, also supplied by Bruker Spatial Biology. This system uses proprietary molecular barcode technology to allow users to stain a tissue section to allow them to highlight areas within the tissue they wish to analyse (tumour vs surrounding tissue). These samples are then removed from the GeoMX instrument and require further downstream analysis using the nCounter system to produce reusable data. As the molecular barcodes required for this process are proprietary to Bruker Spatial Biology, they cannot be analysed on equipment from another supplier, therefore the nCounter system is an essential analysis platform for processing these outputs. Without access to the nCounter system, these samples cannot be analysed, severely limiting the functionality of the existing asset. On this basis, the contract is awarded to Bruker Spatial Biology on the grounds that competition is absent for technical reasons.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000829200
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR553688
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Website 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

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
£120,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
8 Apr 20262 weeks 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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BRUKER SPATIAL BIOLOGY

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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