--- title: "Plunge Freezer - AWARD" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-fba349eb-2b0a-43a0-ad0b-4d0d6a79ad79" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-fba349eb-2b0a-43a0-ad0b-4d0d6a79ad79" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fba349eb-2b0a-43a0-ad0b-4d0d6a79ad79.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fba349eb-2b0a-43a0-ad0b-4d0d6a79ad79.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK" published: "2025-09-30" --- # Plunge Freezer - AWARD Buyer: THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-b5fd17-fba349eb-2b0a-43a0-ad0b-4d0d6a79ad79 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-fba349eb-2b0a-43a0-ad0b-4d0d6a79ad79) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fba349eb-2b0a-43a0-ad0b-4d0d6a79ad79.json) ## Summary The University of Warwick has recently concluded a procurement process for a semi-automated plunge-freezing device intended for sample preparation for cryo-TEM, under the project titled "Plunge Freezer - AWARD". This tender falls under the industry category of microscopes (CPV: 38510000) and was conducted using an open procedure method. The project is located in West Midlands, United Kingdom, with the delivery address pinpointed at the University House, Coventry, CV4 8UW. Although the tender period ended on 7th November 2024, the awarded contract began on 2nd December 2024 and is set to end on 2nd December 2025. The procurement stage has been completed, with the award made public on 21st November 2024, and FEI UK Ltd has been selected as the supplier. The procurement was managed by the buying organisation, The University of Warwick, facilitated by the contact point Nikki Jones. This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses, especially those specialising in advanced bioimaging technology and related fields. As the University of Warwick is keen on delivering high-impact results to researchers, suppliers with a solid background in microscopy and scientific equipment are particularly well-suited to compete for similar contracts. The project emphasises ease of use and reliable performance, making it an attractive opportunity for SMEs and VCSEs possessing innovative solutions in cryo-electron microscopy. Businesses focusing on these specialised scientific areas can leverage this platform to enhance their visibility and establish robust relationships with leading academic and research institutions like the University of Warwick. ## Notice The University of Warwick has a requirement to purchase a semi-automated plunge-freezing device for reproducible preparation of samples for cryo-TEM. The Advanced Bioimaging RTP helps researchers answer their scientific questions using state-of-the art 3D electron microscopy and light microscopy imaging equipment. Our strategy is to offer this advanced bioimaging capability and the expertise to deliver high impact results to researchers both at Warwick and beyond. The Advanced Bioimaging RTP provides the training and expertise required to operate the equipment as well as providing a service to users. Due to successful funding from BBSRC, Alert14 and more recently the founding of the Midlands Regional CryoEM Consortium (established 2017 through PS4.9M funding from MRC and partner universities Warwick, Leicester, Birmingham and Nottingham), we have one high-end microscope (Jeol 2200 FEG-TEM with internal energy filter) and a state-of-the-art camera (Gatan K2 Summit Direct electron detector), a Jeol 2100plus cryo-transmission electron microscope suitable for cellular specimens, sample characterisation and user training, and access to a FEI Titan Krios transmission electron microscope for state-of-the-art high resolution structure determination work. To support characterisation of challenging samples for structural biology using cryo-electron microscopy we seek a plunge-freezing instrument that will enable us to vitrify samples for cryo-TEM. The Advanced Bioimaging RTP is service-oriented, and has users from multiple disciplines (Life sciences, chemistry, physics and engineering), therefore ease of use and reliable performance are essential. In order to express interest in this opportunity please go to the University of Warwick In-Tend supplier portal (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofwarwick). The University of Warwick is not a contracting authority for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended) and its procurement activities are not subject to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or the obligations under the European Public Procurement Directives, including the European Remedies Directive. Advertisement of any contract in the Official Journal of the European Union or Contracts Finder is at the sole discretion of the University and is undertaken on a voluntary basis with no implied obligation to comply with the procurement legislation. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/72daf088-e87c-47a0-b9b5-3521d0f099d7 | | Notice type | Award Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 30 Sep 2025 | | Submission deadline | 7 Nov 2024 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 21 Nov 2024 | | Contract period | 2 Dec 2024 - 2 Dec 2025 | | 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 | Complete | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK | | Locality | WEST MIDLANDS | | Post town | Coventry | | Postcode | CV4 8UW | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands | | ITL 3 | TLG33 Coventry | | Local authority | Coventry | | Electoral ward | Wainbody | | Westminster constituency | Coventry South | | Delivery location | TLG West Midlands (England) | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | FEI | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) ### Codes - 38510000 - Microscopes ## Release History - 30 Sep 2025 at 08:14 - AwardUpdate - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/72daf088-e87c-47a0-b9b5-3521d0f099d7 - 12 Feb 2025 at 09:21 - AwardUpdate - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/72daf088-e87c-47a0-b9b5-3521d0f099d7 - 21 Nov 2024 at 12:08 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/72daf088-e87c-47a0-b9b5-3521d0f099d7 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/72daf088-e87c-47a0-b9b5-3521d0f099d7 30th September 2025 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofwarwick ## 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-fba349eb-2b0a-43a0-ad0b-4d0d6a79ad79. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fba349eb-2b0a-43a0-ad0b-4d0d6a79ad79.json.