--- title: "Upgrade of the freeze-drying microscope for determination of the collapse temperature (Tc) and the eutectic point (Teu) of formulations" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-24bb25f4-9628-4434-8a2c-008ee619fe55" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-24bb25f4-9628-4434-8a2c-008ee619fe55" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-24bb25f4-9628-4434-8a2c-008ee619fe55.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-24bb25f4-9628-4434-8a2c-008ee619fe55.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "MEDICINES AND HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS REGULATORY AGENCY" published: "2019-09-24" --- # Upgrade of the freeze-drying microscope for determination of the collapse temperature (Tc) and the eutectic point (Teu) of formulations Buyer: MEDICINES AND HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS REGULATORY AGENCY Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-24bb25f4-9628-4434-8a2c-008ee619fe55 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-24bb25f4-9628-4434-8a2c-008ee619fe55) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-24bb25f4-9628-4434-8a2c-008ee619fe55.json) ## Summary The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "Upgrade of the freeze-drying microscope for determination of the collapse temperature (Tc) and the eutectic point (Teu) of formulations". This project, categorised under microbiological cultures, involves upgrading an existing freeze-drying microscope that has been in use for over a decade. Potential suppliers should take note of the deadline for expressing interest, which is set for 19 February 2019, and the delivery is expected in the East of England. This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses in the fields of scientific instrumentation and laboratory equipment manufacturing. Companies that specialise in advanced microscopy technology, particularly those with expertise in freeze-drying systems, would find this contract particularly relevant. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate, as there is a focus on using SME suppliers for this procurement, thus opening pathways for growth and collaboration within the sector. ## Notice Agency need to upgrade existing Freeze-Drying Microscope, as the current unit is more than 10 years old. A replacement system/unit must be able to perform to the same or higher capability as the current unit. It should be able to reproducibly determine the collapse and eutectic temperatures for a range of formulations and biological materials. Thus, allowing for the optimisation of lyophilisation cycles. Description: A suitable freeze-drying Microscope unit should consist of: 1. A temperature controller, ideally with a temperature and pressure readout and a programmable profile function for full control of the system during analysis. 2. A digital camera with a specification of at least 2.3 million pixels and a 12-bit digital colour output. 3. A Liquid nitrogen pump and Dewar containing a twin pump mechanism for faster cooling. 4. A vacuum gauge with a pressure range from atmospheric to 10-4 mBar and a motorised valve. 5. An imaging Station with articulated head for easy sample loading and cleaning, with dimmable LED source in combination with an efficient, custom-designed electronics module and polarised light filter. The lifetime of the LED should adequate such as but not limited to 60.000 hours and good to be maintenance free. Electrical power should be a maximum of 10.0W. The LED colour temperature ideally about 4500K. 6. A cryostage, such as but not limited to, FDCS 196 or equivalent. 7. A Workstation featuring minimum specification; Intel core i7 3.2GHz processor, 8GB RAM, 500GB hard drive, motherboard, Windows 10 (64 Bit), NET framework 4.0, USB 3.0 connection, HD Monitor, keyboard and mouse is preferable. 8. The temperature control, real-time digital video and measurement software should ideally have a live temperature and pressure information, allowing full monitoring and adjustment of experimental conditions, up to 80Gb file sizes with all captured images and experimental conditions and image compressors to create JPEG image files or AVI videos of the analysis. 9. Set-up, test and full system validation against a range of standard solutions with documented critical temperatures prior to dispatch. 10. Ongoing support for interpretation of results as required and an image analysis software package that helps to minimise subjectivity in determining Tc and Teu is desirable. Manufacturers would be required to demonstrate that their instrument can measure a range of standard solutions and their documented critical temperatures should be provided. Equipment size should be designed for benchtop and should not exceed: Width = 170cm (includes all the components), Depth = 60cm, Height = 100cm. A demonstration of each instrument capability at NIBSC (MHRA) is essential as well as onsite installation and training if successful. Potential suppliers if they feel they can meet the requirement should email Nawaz.habib@nibsc.org to register an interest by close of play 19 February 2019. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7260715c-04f9-4277-b1e3-80e06a87e288 | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 24 Sep 2019 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 19 Feb 2019 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | MEDICINES AND HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS REGULATORY AGENCY | | Locality | POTTERS BAR | | Post town | Enfield | | Postcode | EN6 3QG | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLH East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire | | ITL 3 | TLH27 South West Hertfordshire | | Local authority | Hertsmere | | Electoral ward | Shenley | | Westminster constituency | Hertsmere | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) - 39 - Furniture (incl. office furniture), furnishings, domestic appliances (excl. lighting) and cleaning products - 44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus) ### Codes - 33698100 - Microbiological cultures - 38510000 - Microscopes - 38634000 - Optical microscopes - 39711124 - Industrial freezers - 44441000 - Microbeads ## Release History - 24 Sep 2019 at 12:27 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7260715c-04f9-4277-b1e3-80e06a87e288 - 24 Jan 2019 at 16:59 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7260715c-04f9-4277-b1e3-80e06a87e288 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7260715c-04f9-4277-b1e3-80e06a87e288 24th September 2019 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/9801e62b-74ed-440a-9f06-f3a701df26f0 Direct Award Sign off ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-24bb25f4-9628-4434-8a2c-008ee619fe55. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-24bb25f4-9628-4434-8a2c-008ee619fe55.json.