---
title: "Microscopy & Imaging Equipment"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04e33d"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04e33d"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e33d.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e33d.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "APUC LIMITED"
published: "2026-01-20"
---

# Microscopy & Imaging Equipment

Buyer: APUC LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04e33d

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04e33d)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e33d.json)

## Summary

The recent procurement cycle by APUC Limited, headquartered in Stirling, UK, sought to acquire goods and services related to Microscopy & Imaging Equipment, encompassing supply, servicing, maintenance, and repairs. This initiative was intended to benefit a range of educational and public institutions across the UK, including several regional higher education purchasing consortia and public bodies like NHS National (Scotland) Procurement and National Galleries of Scotland. Despite extensive planning and updates, the tender was eventually cancelled. The procurement process followed an open procedure under the guidelines of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, engaging potential contractors from February 2025, with the last update made in January 2026 after amending submission deadlines multiple times in 2025.

This tender scheme underscores a significant opportunity for businesses specializing in high-tech imaging equipment and related services. Firms capable of delivering cutting-edge and comprehensive solutions for microscopes, ranging from optical systems for educational purposes to advanced technological systems for research and medical analysis, were well-placed to participate. The framework's open nature offered a robust platform for innovation-driven companies to penetrate numerous institutional sectors within the UK market, enhancing their growth potential by establishing long-term contracts and contributing to the evolving landscape of educational and scientific research infrastructure.

## Notice

The Authority is seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of supply, servicing, maintenance and repairs of microscopes and imaging equipment plus related consumables and software used in research, teaching and medical applications across the further and higher education sector and other public bodies in the UK. This includes Full and Associate Members, and future members, and their associated and affiliated bodies of the UK higher and further education regional purchasing consortia : - APUC Ltd.(Advanced Procurement for Universities & Colleges): https://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk/?#!/members - HEPCW (Higher Education Procurement Consortia Wales): https://www.hepcw.ac.uk/members/ - NEUPC (North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.neupc.ac.uk/join/members/who-are-our-members - NWUPC (North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.nwupc.ac.uk/members/ - LUPC (London Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.lupc.ac.uk/members/our-members/ - SUPC (Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.supc.ac.uk/our-members/ Other participating bodies include: - Scotland Excel and their associate members - NHS National (Scotland) Procurement - Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture - SASA - National Galleries of Scotland - National Records of Scotland - Forestry and Land Scotland - Historical Environment Scotland - Marine Directorate.

### Lot Information

Optical Microscopes - Low-End (Teaching)

A variety of low-end optical microscopes, with a price of 10,000 GBP (excl. VAT) and less, suitable for laboratory teaching including, but not be limited to: - Compound Microscopes - upright or inverted equipment featuring optional fluorescence and camera systems for use in teaching, tissue culture analysis and routine applications. - Stereo and/or Zoom Microscopes - equipment featuring optional fluorescence and camera systems, for routine and clinical dissection, sorting, and examination. - Gel Documentation Systems.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.

New Technology and Combined Systems

Areas of developing innovation or products and associated equipment that utilises technology that crosses two or more lot boundaries. This will include, but not be limited to: - Non-traditional microscopes and imaging equipment - Spatial biology instruments capable of high-plex acquisition of DNA, RNA, protein or metabolite data (including systems with panels of validated antibodies or markers). Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.

High-throughput Systems

A variety of high-end systems and associated products that can be used in high-content screening set up. The imaging systems can be laser-based or not. Associated products can be, but not limited to, software for data analysis, automatic sample handling etc. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.

Laser-based Imaging Systems and Laser Components

Upright or inverted microscopes using laser technology such as Confocal, Spinning Disc, TIRF, Light Sheet and Multi-photon. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.

Super Resolution and Enhanced Resolution Microscopes

- Deterministic super resolution and stochastic super resolution microscopy equipment such as simulated emission depletion (STED), ground state depletion (GSD), SPDMphymod. - FLIM/FRET systems. - Structured Illumination and other techniques (e.g. array detectors) for super resolution or other methods for achieving sub diffraction optical resolution. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements

Detectors

- Specialist camera and detector components for image acquisition in relation to life science applications and materials research. - Other detectors - Photo Multiplier Tubes (PMTs), FLIM. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.

Light Sources

- Incendescent Lamps - Halogen Bulbs - Arc Lamps - LED Light Sources - Lasers. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.

Servicing, Maintenance and Repairs

Comprehensive or preventative maintenance of equipment and associated software included in this Framework Agreement which is out with its agreed warranty period including existing equipment located in institutions. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months, subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutional requirement.

Optical Microscopes - High-End (Research)

A variety of high-end optical microscopes, with a price of over 10,000 GBP (excl. VAT), suitable for research including, but not be limited to: - Compound Microscopes - upright or inverted equipment featuring optional fluorescence and camera systems for use in teaching, tissue culture analysis and routine applications. - Stereo and/or Zoom Microscopes - equipment featuring optional fluorescence and camera systems, for routine and clinical dissection, sorting, and examination. - Medical Microscopes - Products designed for specialist medical and surgical applications, e.g. colposcopes, surgical loupes and microscopes with specific task fulfilment in neurology, ENT, dermatology, ophthalmology, dental or maxillofacial medicine. - Label Free Holographic Microscopes - Automated Live Cell (extended time lapse) microscopes - Slide scanners.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004773-2026 |
| Notice type | Planning Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 20 Jan 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 31 Jul 2025 |
| Future notice date | 14 May 2025 |
| Award date | 20 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Estimated timing for further notices to be published: February 2028 |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £80,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Cancelled |
| Lots status | Active, Cancelled |
| Awards status | Unsuccessful |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | APUC LIMITED |
| Additional buyers | EUROPEAN UNION |
| Locality | STIRLING |
| Post town | Falkirk and Stirling |
| Postcode | FK8 2DZ |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM0 Eastern Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM02 Perth and Kinross, and Stirling |
| Local authority | Stirling |
| Electoral ward | Stirling East |
| Westminster constituency | Stirling and Strathallan |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products
- 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 33128000 - Medical laser other than for surgery
- 38510000 - Microscopes
- 38634000 - Optical microscopes
- 38651000 - Cameras
- 71900000 - Laboratory services
- 73111000 - Research laboratory services

## Release History

- 20 Jan 2026 at 12:18 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004773-2026
- 29 Jul 2025 at 10:35 - TenderUpdate - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043787-2025
- 24 Jul 2025 at 09:45 - TenderUpdate - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042633-2025
- 5 Jun 2025 at 08:34 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030090-2025
- 18 Feb 2025 at 13:33 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005578-2025

## Notice URLs

- http://ucsp.ac.uk
- http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000790910
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000797934
- https://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk/?#!/members
- https://www.hepcw.ac.uk/members/
- https://www.lupc.ac.uk/members/our-members/
- https://www.neupc.ac.uk/join/members/who-are-our-members
- https://www.nwupc.ac.uk/members/
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10402
- https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.u
- https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
- https://www.supc.ac.uk/our-members/

## 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-04e33d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e33d.json.