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BD FACSDiscover S8 Spectral Cell Sorter with CellView Imaging Technology

University Of Edinburgh

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

09 Sep 2026 at 01:00

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

The University of Edinburgh procured a BD FACSDiscover S8 spectral cell sorter with CellView imaging technology for research at its Institute for Genetics and Cancer in Edinburgh. This is a specialist scientific laboratory instrument, classified under CPV 38000000 for laboratory, optical and precision equipment. The requirement combines spectral flow cytometry and cell sorting with integrated, camera-free CellView imaging, which digitally renders two-dimensional images of individual cells. The imaging capability provides additional sorting parameters based on cell morphology, alongside standard fluorescence detection, and a quality-control function for verifying sorted cells. It supports genetic screens using protein localisation or cell morphology, purification of cells at different stages of mitosis, and measurement and purification of cells undergoing protein degradation in the nucleus or cytoplasm.

The procurement has been awarded and the contract is active. The University used a limited procedure without prior publication of a call for competition, relying on a technical-reasons justification that the required integrated image-based sorting capability had no reasonable alternative or substitute. The process covered one lot and was evaluated on the specific technical functionality needed for the proposed research applications. Becton Dickinson UK Limited was selected as supplier. The contract value is £535,000, inclusive of the stated currency as GBP, and the contract was signed on 9 September 2026. The award rationale records that the instrument was identified as the only option meeting the University’s technical requirements after comprehensive market engagement.

This procurement indicates demand for highly specialised cell-analysis equipment rather than general laboratory supplies. A credible future competitor would need to provide, support or integrate spectral flow cytometry, cell sorting and image-based analysis in one system, with imaging that can distinguish cell morphology and complement fluorescence detection. The requirement also shows the importance of research-grade performance for genetic screens, mitosis-stage cell purification, analysis of protein degradation by cellular location and post-sort quality control. Suppliers would therefore need strong technical evidence that their instrument can support these applications without losing the integrated imaging functionality. Relevant capability in instrument commissioning, specialist user support, software and applications expertise would strengthen a proposition for this buyer.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

BD FACSDiscover S8 Spectral Cell Sorter with CellView Imaging Technology

Notice Description

BD FACSDiscover S8 Spectral Cell Sorter with CellView Imaging Technology

Lot Information

Lot 1

The BD FACSDiscover S8 is currently the only spectral cell sorter identified by the University that combines spectral flow cytometry and cell sorting with CellView imaging technology. This camera free technology utilises laser waveforms to digitally render a 2D image of individual cells equivalent to between 10-20x magnification. The cellview imaging technology offers additional sorting parameters, based on cell morphology, that complement the standard fluorescence detection offered by spectral cell sorters The imaging capability is a specific technical requirement for the proposed research applications within the Institute for Genetics and Cancer. It will expand the possible applications of the cell sorter and also providing a previously unavailable quality control tool for verifying sorted cells. The image-based flow sorting capability of the BD FACSDiscover S8 is required to support the following research applications: 1. The ability to perform genetic screens which use subcellular protein localisation and/or cell morphology as a phenotypic read-out. 2. The ability to purify cells at different stages of mitosis 3. The ability to quantify and purify cells undergoing protein degradation in the nucleus versus cytoplasm. The CellView(tm) functionality is therefore an essential technical requirement for the intended research applications. Alternative spectral cell sorters considered by the University do not provide the same integrated image-based sorting capability. As a result, they would not provide the functionality required to undertake the above research applications in the proposed manner. On this basis, the BD FACSDiscover S8 has been identified as the only instrument currently available to the University that meets the specific technical requirements of the proposed research.

Procurement Information

After comprehensive market engagement competition is absent for technical reasons. No reasonable alternative or substitute exists and the absence of competition is not the result of an artificial narrowing down of the parameters of the procurement. This notice is the final piece of due diligence prior to the award of the contract. Should a supplier detail their ability to meet the requirements, then the award will be halted.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000842623
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP564207
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F15 - Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency 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
£535,000 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Sep 20261 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

Becton Dickinson U.K. Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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