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Multimodal Imaging Platform Procurement

University Of Edinburgh

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

09 Oct 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Award

14 Aug 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F15 - Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Edinburgh procured a multimodal retinal imaging platform for use in its research, delivered to the University in Edinburgh. The equipment combines spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), OCT angiography (OCTA) and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO), with high-resolution retinal and choroidal imaging, eye-tracking and scan-registration functions. Its purpose is to continue research using longitudinal data already collected over 15 years: maintaining compatibility with that historical data was central to the requirement. The purchase was for imaging equipment rather than a service or construction project. The specified system was Heidelberg Engineering’s Spectralis platform, selected for its technical capabilities and interoperability with the University’s existing research datasets and established imaging and analysis protocols.

The procurement is complete and the contract is active. The University of Edinburgh awarded it to Heidelberg Engineering Ltd through a limited procedure without prior publication of a competition, citing technical requirements and the need to preserve compatibility with existing research data. The contract was signed on 5 October 2026 and is valued at £82,000. The procurement covered one lot. Evaluation placed 90% weight on technical quality and 10% on price. The award rationale states that the Spectralis platform met the essential requirements and that an alternative would undermine historical data comparability, threaten research continuity and require extensive re-validation of protocols. One bid was recorded. The process was therefore a technically justified, supplier-specific purchase rather than an open competition.

For suppliers seeking similar university imaging work, this award shows that proven interoperability with long-running research datasets can outweigh the opportunity to replace equipment with a technically comparable alternative. A credible competitor would need to demonstrate integrated SD-OCT, OCTA and SLO imaging, high-resolution retinal and choroidal imaging, and validated eye-tracking and scan-registration capabilities. Equally important would be evidence that the system can preserve comparability with historical datasets and work with established imaging and analysis protocols without extensive re-validation. Technical quality dominated the evaluation, so a strong offer would need detailed evidence against the research and compatibility requirements, alongside a competitive price. This was a focused equipment purchase for the University of Edinburgh’s research needs, not a broad imaging-services requirement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Multimodal Imaging Platform Procurement

Notice Description

The University of Edinburgh intends to award a contract for the purchase of a multimodal imaging platform to Heidelberg Engineering as their Spectralis platform meets all the essential technical requirements and maintains compatibility with existing longitudinal research data collected over 15 years.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Heidelberg Spectralis platform is required to maintain compatibility with over 15 years of existing longitudinal research data. It is the only solution that meets the essential technical requirements for integrated SD-OCT, OCTA and SLO imaging, high-resolution retinal and choroidal imaging, and validated eye-tracking and scan registration capabilities. Use of an alternative platform would compromise comparability with historical datasets, create significant risks to the integrity and continuity of ongoing research, and require extensive re-validation of established imaging and analysis protocols. For these technical and interoperability reasons, the University of Edinburgh intends to award this contract to Heidelberg Engineering.

Procurement Information

The Heidelberg Spectralis platform is required to maintain compatibility with over 15 years of existing longitudinal research data. It is the only solution that meets the essential technical requirements for integrated SD-OCT, OCTA and SLO imaging, high-resolution retinal and choroidal imaging, and validated eye-tracking and scan registration capabilities. Use of an alternative platform would compromise comparability with historical datasets, create significant risks to the integrity and continuity of ongoing research, and require extensive re-validation of established imaging and analysis protocols. For these technical and interoperability reasons, the University of Edinburgh intends to award this contract to Heidelberg Engineering.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000840096
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT566420
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

33110000 - Imaging equipment for medical, dental and veterinary use

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£82,000 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Oct 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
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

Heidelberg Engineering Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG562343
    Multimodal Imaging Platform Procurement - The University of Edinburgh intends to award a contract for the purchase of a multimodal imaging platform to Heidelberg Engineering as their Spectralis platform meets all the essential technical requirements and maintains compatibility with existing longitudinal research data collected over 15 years.
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT566420
    Multimodal Imaging Platform Procurement - The University of Edinburgh intends to award a contract for the purchase of a multimodal imaging platform to Heidelberg Engineering as their Spectralis platform meets all the essential technical requirements and maintains compatibility with existing longitudinal research data collected over 15 years.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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