---
title: "3D Bioprinter Supply and Installation"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-040408"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-040408"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-040408.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-040408.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "ASTON UNIVERSITY"
published: "2023-10-18"
---

# 3D Bioprinter Supply and Installation

Buyer: ASTON UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-040408

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-040408)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-040408.json)

## Summary

The procurement process for the 3D Bioprinter Supply and Installation was completed through a direct award to Scienion (UK) Limited by Aston University. The University sought specific capabilities for the 3D bioprinter, including the ability to control voxel size, print on various surfaces, and use a wide range of materials. The contract duration is expected to be from October 2023 to September 2024. The University required features such as upright printing platform, high-speed capabilities, and a wide range of materials to meet user needs.

This tender presents an opportunity for businesses specializing in laboratory, optical, and precision equipment, particularly those involved in bioprinting technologies and materials. Companies with expertise in laser lithography, high-resolution printing, and material science would be well-suited to compete. Given the extensive requirements outlined by Aston University in the tender, businesses with a track record in delivering bespoke and technically advanced solutions would have a competitive edge in this procurement process.

## Notice

VEAT (Voluntary Ex ante Transparency) notice previously published - Direct Award to Scienion (UK) Limited for the supply and installation of a specialist 3D Bioprinter.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Aston University intends to award the contract without a call for competition in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ((32.2(b) ii). The contract duration is expected to be October 2023 to September 2024 as per the warranty period. In order to achieve our objectives, the University requires the following: * Ability to control the voxel size along one scanning plane using synchronized laser power modulation at high speeds. Necessary to achieve smooth surfaces for micro fluidic channels on much higher speeds for this high resolution compared to any other technique. * Method of printing such as Dip-in Laser Lithography (DiLL), where the resin is simultaneously used as an immersion medium and written on the same side of the substrate as the imaging objective. This is necessary to eliminate height restrictions on printed structures. Some users plan structures of ~20mm height. * Printing on non-transparent and non-planar surfaces in addition to planar transparent. This is necessary for many major users particularly those printing on CMOS chips, semiconductors and electronic interface components. Also users will require ability to print into commercially available microfluidic chips with channels and cell perfusion wells with range of ~1200-1700 um depth. * Upright printing platform (i.e. the objective approaches from above) is necessary for many planned user printing at Aston. It is ideal for wafer-scale and batch production, and enabling of large height structures. * Availability of a wide range of materials to be used with the system, such as biocompatible low fluorescence material printing, glass structure printing, and biocompatible gels. Aston user experience with materials important for rapid and confident user uptake. * Features of the equipment required for use in the Aston multiuser facility. These include a sound pressure level (LpA) below 40 dB(A), and remote access and monitoring of prints. Touchscreen user interface to allow intuitive operation and increase usability facilitating maximal usage. * Additionally, features that enable rapid setup and calibration, with writing strategies to enable high throughput of large structures. These are necessary for the efficiency of Aston multiuser facility and approaches such as rapid prototyping. * Short lead time to meet requirement of funding usage. The University will not enter the proposed contract before 10 October 2023.

### Procurement Information

In order to achieve our objectives, the University requires the following: * Ability to control the voxel size along one scanning plane using synchronized laser power modulation at high speeds. Necessary to achieve smooth surfaces for micro fluidic channels on much higher speeds for this high resolution compared to any other technique. * Method of printing such as Dip-in Laser Lithography (DiLL), where the resin is simultaneously used as an immersion medium and written on the same side of the substrate as the imaging objective. This is necessary to eliminate height restrictions on printed structures. Some users plan structures of ~20mm height. * Printing on non-transparent and non-planar surfaces in addition to planar transparent. This is necessary for many major users particularly those printing on CMOS chips, semiconductors and electronic interface components. Also users will require ability to print into commercially available microfluidic chips with channels and cell perfusion wells with range of ~1200-1700 um depth. * Upright printing platform (i.e. the objective approaches from above) is necessary for many planned user printing at Aston. It is ideal for wafer-scale and batch production, and enabling of large height structures. * Availability of a wide range of materials to be used with the system, such as biocompatible low fluorescence material printing, glass structure printing, and biocompatible gels. Aston user experience with materials important for rapid and confident user uptake. * Features of the equipment required for use in the Aston multiuser facility. These include a sound pressure level (LpA) below 40 dB(A), and remote access and monitoring of prints. Touchscreen user interface to allow intuitive operation and increase usability facilitating maximal usage. * Additionally, features that enable rapid setup and calibration, with writing strategies to enable high throughput of large structures. These are necessary for the efficiency of Aston multiuser facility and approaches such as rapid prototyping. * Short lead time to meet requirement of funding usage.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030828-2023 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 18 Oct 2023 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 25 Sep 2023 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £600,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | ASTON UNIVERSITY |
| Locality | BIRMINGHAM |
| Post town | Birmingham |
| Postcode | B4 7ET |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands |
| ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham |
| Local authority | Birmingham |
| Electoral ward | Nechells |
| Westminster constituency | Birmingham Ladywood |
| Delivery location | TLG31 Birmingham |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | SCIENION (UK |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 18 Oct 2023 at 17:23 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030828-2023
- 26 Sep 2023 at 17:51 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028433-2023

## Notice URLs

- https://www.aston.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-h6vhtk-040408. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-040408.json.