---
title: "The supply of a Carbon Coater for Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-7d2fe408-e7ac-46f7-929b-da8b83cc5b93"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-7d2fe408-e7ac-46f7-929b-da8b83cc5b93"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7d2fe408-e7ac-46f7-929b-da8b83cc5b93.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7d2fe408-e7ac-46f7-929b-da8b83cc5b93.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF EXETER"
published: "2017-06-06"
---

# The supply of a Carbon Coater for Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF EXETER  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-7d2fe408-e7ac-46f7-929b-da8b83cc5b93

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## Summary

The University of Exeter has completed a procurement process for the supply of a Carbon Coater for Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). This contract falls under the category of laboratory, optical and precision equipment and is located in the South West region of the United Kingdom. The procurement stage is at the award phase, with the awarded contract valued at £37,906 and covering a contract period starting from June 9, 2017, to June 8, 2021. The tender notice for potential suppliers was published on June 6, 2017, and applicants were required to register their interest on the University's electronic tendering system before the deadline on May 17, 2017.

This contract presents a significant opportunity for businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs), to engage in the supply of specialised laboratory equipment. Companies that manufacture or supply precision instruments or laboratory machinery would be particularly well-suited to compete for future contracts in this sector, as the University seeks versatile and efficient systems for their research in cryo-electron microscopy. The potential for additional contracts in related fields, such as those supplying modular systems or ancillary devices, also exists, thus broadening the scope for business growth within this niche industry.

## Notice

Carbon films are used in electron microscopy as they enable the imaging of samples on grids. They are transparent to the electron beam but are also conductive, thermostable and produce a low background signal. This enables the samples (in this case proteins or other small molecules) to stick and be evenly distributed on the grids. Our research is in the field of cryo-electron microscopy, specifically the structure and function of membrane-embedded protein transporters. Samples are prepared in the wet laboratory and screened in the electron microscope on negatively-stained carbon coated grids for purity and homogeneity. We wish to purchase a Carbon Coater that can produce carbon coated grids which have to be produced quickly and with differing thickness, to identify the best conditions for each type of sample. This requirement means that carbon coating needs to be performed several times a week with a dedicated and fast automated system, capable of specifically setting the thickness of the carbon layer required. It should be possible to customise, store and export programmes, allowing versatility and reproducibility. Due to space restrictions, the machine should also be a small bench-top version rather than a large free-standing system. The system should also be modular, so that additional devices such as sputter coaters or cryo-modules can be added later.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9eb6ab48-634e-456d-8c03-2dba283e36b7 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not applicable |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 6 Jun 2017 |
| Submission deadline | 17 May 2017 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 21 May 2017 |
| Contract period | 8 Jun 2017 - 8 Jun 2021 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £37,906 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF EXETER |
| Locality | EXETER |
| Post town | Exeter |
| Postcode | EX4 4QH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK4 Devon |
| ITL 3 | TLK43 Devon CC |
| Local authority | Exeter |
| Electoral ward | Duryard and St James |
| Westminster constituency | Exeter |
| Delivery location | TLK South West (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | LEICA MICROSYSTEMS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

## Release History

- 6 Jun 2017 at 08:37 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9eb6ab48-634e-456d-8c03-2dba283e36b7

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9eb6ab48-634e-456d-8c03-2dba283e36b7
  6th June 2017 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=19832&B=EXETER
  Applicants need to register their interest on the University of Exeter's electronic tendering System link above. The procurement exercise is completely managed via this system.Registration is free of charge to potential suppliers.
- https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/53042
  To access documents please follow the link above

## Notice URLs

- http://www.exeter.ac.uk

## Provenance

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