--- title: "Inverted Research Microscope for Live-Cell Imaging" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-823cd9fd-4130-4ff1-95c6-44b18fda9288" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-823cd9fd-4130-4ff1-95c6-44b18fda9288" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-823cd9fd-4130-4ff1-95c6-44b18fda9288.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-823cd9fd-4130-4ff1-95c6-44b18fda9288.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF EXETER" published: "2017-12-15" --- # Inverted Research Microscope for Live-Cell Imaging Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF EXETER Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-823cd9fd-4130-4ff1-95c6-44b18fda9288 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-823cd9fd-4130-4ff1-95c6-44b18fda9288) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-823cd9fd-4130-4ff1-95c6-44b18fda9288.json) ## Summary The University of Exeter is seeking proposals for the procurement of an Inverted Research Microscope for Live-Cell Imaging, with a focus on significant visualisation capabilities for various light microscopy methods. This tender falls under the goods category and is classified as laboratory, optical, and precision equipment (excluding glasses) according to the CPV scheme. The tender is currently in the active stage, with the submission deadline set for 10th January 2018. The contracting process employs an open procedure and has a total value of £75,000, with a minimum bid threshold of £10,000. Delivery addresses include locations within the United Kingdom and several British Overseas Territories. The contract is scheduled to commence on 11th January 2018 and conclude by 12th January 2018. This opportunity presents significant potential for businesses focused on laboratory equipment and imaging technology, particularly those specialising in microscopes and optical instruments. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) would be well-positioned to compete due to the nature of the goods required, which may call for innovative solutions and tailored offers. Businesses capable of delivering high-resolution imaging systems with advanced capabilities for live-cell studies will find this tender particularly relevant. With the support of a reputable institution like the University of Exeter, successful bidders could enhance their market presence and foster long-term partnerships within the academic and research sectors. ## Notice This microscope will serve as the workhorse system for performing live-cell imaging over a range of magnifications, in all cases with emphasis on achieving superior visualization of specimens using diverse light microscopy methods and contrast techniques including brightfield, phase contrast, polarisation, differential interference contrast and wide-field fluorescence. Low-magnification will be used to track, identify and maintain populations of cells or larger moving specimens in the field of view for as long as possible, while high magnifications will be used to focus upon and resolve intracellular features, structures, and activity - with particular emphasis on the fast beating motion of cilia and flagella. It is anticipated that high-speed imaging will be necessary to document and analyse such activity. Key research aims include developing and optimising the microscopy set-up to achieve high quality, high resolution images, optimising the optics for high speed bright field and fluorescence imaging, maximising the ability to control and perturb samples while imaging (e.g. by immobilizing cells or organisms on micropipettes or through the use of microfluidics), making long-duration recordings of single-organism as well as population-level behaviour, establishing new fluorescence imaging techniques for specialist dyes or reporters (calcium, pH, voltage etc) for use in species of interest. Due to the complexity and range of experiments to be performed with the system, the desired microscope should be as versatile and as reconfigurable as possible, leaving open the possibility for future expansion. In addition to the light microscopy capabilities mentioned above, the system must be capable of wide-field fluorescence imaging. A fully motorised system with intelligently linked optical components is required to enable rapid switching between illumination methods, which is essential for imaging or highlighting different organelles or components within the same cell. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6bdeac27-fd29-49bc-afb1-68c59a76d6f7 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 15 Dec 2017 | | Submission deadline | 10 Jan 2018 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 11 Jan 2018 - 12 Jan 2018 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £75,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | 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 | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) ### Codes - 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) ## Release History - 15 Dec 2017 at 14:30 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6bdeac27-fd29-49bc-afb1-68c59a76d6f7 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6bdeac27-fd29-49bc-afb1-68c59a76d6f7 15th December 2017 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=22675&B=EXETER Additional data - https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/53042 User / Company ## Notice URLs - http://www.exeter.ac.uk ## 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-b5fd17-823cd9fd-4130-4ff1-95c6-44b18fda9288. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-823cd9fd-4130-4ff1-95c6-44b18fda9288.json.