--- title: "The supply of a Carbon Coater for Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-e7c258c7-2eeb-4916-a2e0-411d6b2bcbb2" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-e7c258c7-2eeb-4916-a2e0-411d6b2bcbb2" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e7c258c7-2eeb-4916-a2e0-411d6b2bcbb2.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e7c258c7-2eeb-4916-a2e0-411d6b2bcbb2.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF EXETER" published: "2017-04-19" --- # The supply of a Carbon Coater for Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF EXETER Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-e7c258c7-2eeb-4916-a2e0-411d6b2bcbb2 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-e7c258c7-2eeb-4916-a2e0-411d6b2bcbb2) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e7c258c7-2eeb-4916-a2e0-411d6b2bcbb2.json) ## Summary The University of Exeter is currently soliciting tenders for the supply of a Carbon Coater for Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM). This procurement falls under the category of laboratory, optical, and precision equipment, and is taking place in Exeter, England. The tender was published on 19th April 2017, with a deadline for submissions set for 17th May 2017. The procurement process is in the 'Tender' stage, and the contract is expected to commence on 22nd May 2017, lasting until 21st May 2018. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in laboratory equipment, particularly those that can provide automated and customisable coating systems. Companies with expertise in precision engineering and modular equipment design would be well-suited to compete for this contract. As the buyer is a leading educational institution, collaborative ventures with academia or demonstrations of innovation in research tools could further enhance the competitiveness of tender submissions. ## 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/0daf0217-01e6-408d-8c36-dcd1604ad148 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not applicable | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 19 Apr 2017 | | Submission deadline | 17 May 2017 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 21 May 2017 - 21 May 2018 | | 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 | 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 - 19 Apr 2017 at 12:59 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0daf0217-01e6-408d-8c36-dcd1604ad148 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0daf0217-01e6-408d-8c36-dcd1604ad148 19th April 2017 - Opportunity 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 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-e7c258c7-2eeb-4916-a2e0-411d6b2bcbb2. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e7c258c7-2eeb-4916-a2e0-411d6b2bcbb2.json.