---
title: "RQ0000010125 Epifluorescence Microscope"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-e6585b21-3b0d-4d31-8c28-8f3dc8fa7ec1"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-e6585b21-3b0d-4d31-8c28-8f3dc8fa7ec1"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e6585b21-3b0d-4d31-8c28-8f3dc8fa7ec1.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e6585b21-3b0d-4d31-8c28-8f3dc8fa7ec1.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEFENCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY"
published: "2023-10-23"
---

# RQ0000010125 Epifluorescence Microscope

Buyer: DEFENCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-e6585b21-3b0d-4d31-8c28-8f3dc8fa7ec1

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-e6585b21-3b0d-4d31-8c28-8f3dc8fa7ec1)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e6585b21-3b0d-4d31-8c28-8f3dc8fa7ec1.json)

## Summary

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory has awarded a contract for the procurement of an Epifluorescence Microscope. The contract, valued at £172,120.7 GBP, was awarded to CARL ZEISS LTD. The tender was classified under the industry category "Fluorescent microscopes". The procurement method used was an open procedure. The award date was 5th October 2023, with the contract period starting on 5th October 2023 and ending on 5th October 2029. The delivery address is in Porton Down, Salisbury, England.

This tender for an Epifluorescence Microscope presents opportunities for businesses in the goods category, especially those dealing with scientific equipment. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate. The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, as the buying organization, is seeking suppliers who can meet the specified requirements for the microscope. The procurement stage is at the award phase, indicating that the contract has been successfully granted to a winning supplier.

## Notice

Intended uses (priority order): 1) Real-time imaging of cellular physiology using ion-sensitive fluorophores or similar probes (e.g. fura 2 and fluo dyes with ability for acquisition of fura 2 ratiometric images >=1Hz) 2) General epifluorescence imaging of living cell cultures using a range of fluorescent dyes to image cellular structure and function (cell viability, mitochondrial function, ROS etc). Excitation/emission capabilities should cover standard range of fluorophores (e.g. DAPI, fluorescein, rhodamine etc). 3) General transmitted light and epifluorescence imaging of fixed / stained cell cultures and slide-mounted tissue sections Essential requirements: * Research-grade inverted microscope chassis, stage, transmitted light illumination, eyepieces etc * Microscope should be capable of phase and differential interference contrast transmitted light methods. * Objectives 10, 20, 40 and ~60 or 100x optimised for epifluorescence observation and DIC, 20 and 40x objectives optimised for UV excitation for Fura 2 (@340 & 380 nm, if different from standard epifluorescence objectives), additional 20 and 40x for phase contrast. * Epifluorescence light source to provide illumination for cellular physiology studies (excitation suitable for a range of dyes including fura 2) should include software controlled shutter, or equivalent, to control illumination and synchronise to image acquisition. * Epifluorescence light source for general epifluorescence imaging (2 and 3 above) if different * Ability to mount both epifluorescence illumination systems and switch between physiology and high-resolution epifluorescence imaging modes * Monochrome camera suitable for real-time imaging cellular physiology * Monochrome camera for high resolution general epifluorescence (if different from above) * Ability to mount both cameras and switch between physiology and high-resolution epifluorescence imaging modes * Image acquisition and analysis software suitable for running cellular physiology studies * Image acquisition and analysis software suitable for general epifluorescence studies. Ability to combine fluorescence images to produce composite images, ability to undertake image analysis/cytometry measurements of fluorescently labelled specimens. Desirable requirements: * Motorised control of microscope operation * Additional image analysis options for analysis of standard histopathology tissue sections Other: * If all capability is not possible on one microscope chassis then would consider two systems. This requirement will be on the defence sourcing portal (DSP) Additional information: How to apply - This notice can be found on the defence sourcing portal at this link: https://www.contracts.mod.uk/go/172903630186FEB197D9

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cefdfb5f-cb3e-4062-919e-ca51726538c5 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 23 Oct 2023 |
| Submission deadline | 13 Apr 2023 |
| Future notice date | 31 May 2023 |
| Award date | 4 Oct 2023 |
| Contract period | 4 Oct 2023 - 5 Oct 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £100,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £172,120 |
| 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 | DEFENCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY |
| Locality | SALISBURY |
| Post town | Salisbury |
| Postcode | SP4 0JQ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire |
| ITL 3 | TLK72 Wiltshire |
| Local authority | Wiltshire |
| Electoral ward | Winterslow & Upper Bourne Valley |
| Westminster constituency | Salisbury |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | CARL ZEISS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 38515200 - Fluorescent microscopes

## Release History

- 23 Oct 2023 at 14:42 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cefdfb5f-cb3e-4062-919e-ca51726538c5
- 5 Jun 2023 at 13:28 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b5f32404-39e2-4b9f-b5ea-77a5d3d6a29c
- 5 Jun 2023 at 12:56 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b5f32404-39e2-4b9f-b5ea-77a5d3d6a29c
- 27 Mar 2023 at 12:53 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b5f32404-39e2-4b9f-b5ea-77a5d3d6a29c
- 20 Mar 2023 at 11:09 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b5f32404-39e2-4b9f-b5ea-77a5d3d6a29c
- 15 Mar 2023 at 12:27 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b5f32404-39e2-4b9f-b5ea-77a5d3d6a29c
- 7 Mar 2023 at 16:06 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/82018e86-5976-4857-b552-98e80d7e61ed

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cefdfb5f-cb3e-4062-919e-ca51726538c5
  23rd October 2023 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b5f32404-39e2-4b9f-b5ea-77a5d3d6a29c
  5th June 2023 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/82018e86-5976-4857-b552-98e80d7e61ed
  7th March 2023 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/334ef375-e903-4f99-a521-b5d50385eecc
- https://www.contracts.mod.uk/go/172903630186FEB197D9
  Link to the defence sourcing portal (DSP)
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/56c38300-7977-45e5-a30f-e1e9ebd84d6a
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/01d35f8b-c947-4ee3-b4ab-46facb9a8f46
  Redacted Purchase Order
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/f35bbce2-7715-4f49-8b41-276373b01a9b
  Contract Purchase Agreement
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/273abd48-6d2d-416a-9b49-ea9d164d8001
  Signed contract document

## 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-e6585b21-3b0d-4d31-8c28-8f3dc8fa7ec1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e6585b21-3b0d-4d31-8c28-8f3dc8fa7ec1.json.