---
title: "High Pressure Vitreous Freezer"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-054368"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-054368"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054368.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054368.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH"
published: "2026-02-02"
---

# High Pressure Vitreous Freezer

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-054368

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## Summary

The University of Edinburgh, acting as the contracting authority, is involved in a procurement process for a "High Pressure Vitreous Freezer," pivotal in the freezing equipment industry category. This equipment is intended for use within the School of Physics and Astronomy in Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh (UKM75 region). The current procurement phase has moved beyond the award stage, with the contract being signed on 5th January 2026. The competitive procedure employed for this procurement includes a negotiation method, initially announced with an Invitation to Tender (ITT) that proceeded through multiple stages. The anticipated delivery and installation deadline for this equipment is set for the end of June 2026, reflecting an organised timeline and clear operational expectations.

This procurement presents a unique opportunity for businesses specialising in manufacturing and supplying scientific freezing equipment. Companies capable of meeting the stringent technical specifications and warranty requirements could significantly benefit from engaging in such contracts. The criteria for supplier selection include technical compliance and cost-effectiveness, offering equal weight to both aspects. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those skilled in delivering complex laboratory equipment, may find this project particularly lucrative, especially given the potential for long-term service agreements and related purchases. Moreover, businesses proficient in navigating the procurement frameworks and possessing innovative technical solutions stand a good chance of enhancing their market presence through this high-profile contract with a notable institution like the University of Edinburgh.

## Notice

The School of Physics and Astronomy has a requirement for a 'High Pressure Vitreous Freezer' (HPVF); this is a device that freezes samples to extreme low temperature at an exceptionally high rate to essentially 'freeze a sample in time'. If a sample is cooled at a slower rate ice may form within/on fragile samples (for example cells), which would swell/crystalise and destroy the nano/microstructure of the sample. Freezing at an exceptionally high rate freezes the sample faster than ice can form, avoiding this issue. This machine will be used for experimental sample preparation.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

DETAILED SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL: - The ability to vitreously freeze small volumes (specimen carriers described later) of soft and liquid samples by using a combination of high pressures and liquid nitrogen - Must achieve a minimum cooling rate of 2000K/s - Must be able to exert pressures on the sample in the range of 1900 - 2200 bar during the freezing process to inhibit ice nucleation - Use 3mm and 6mm diameter planchette specimen carriers to hold the sample during freezing - Output freezing parameters after the freezing process - Vitreously freeze non-biological and biological samples up to 200 um thick - Use mains electricity in the lab and conform to UK/CE electrical safety standards. - Installation, commissioning and testing of the equipment. - User Training provided. - Access requirements for the lab: Fire exit width: 139cm. Lab door width: 130cm(W) * 210cm(H); Corridor: 159cm(min width); Weight: Passes through corridors with areas of possible max weight "not exceeding 580kg per square metre". - 1 year manufacturer's parts and labour warranty - Basic level of service contract(extended warranty) + Support helpline and troubleshooting for 3 years post initial warranty period. - Device should be reliable and have a long supported life (ideally not less than 10 years) - Product must fit within available lab space; floor plan max area 2m x 2m OPTIONAL/DESIRABLE: - The ability to also use other types of "standard" HPF specimen carriers, such as copper tubes (0.4-0.9 mm diameter), sapphire disks, other, etc. - Able to fit into or Retrofittable into a Correlative Light-Electron Microscopy (CLEM) workflow and/or employ the "Waffle" method for a cryo on-grid thinning workflow. Live cell imaging is not needed (freezing sample seconds after an "event") as part of the initial requirement. In the future we may want to freeze a sample and observe it with light and electron microscopy but freezing the sample at a specific time is likely not needed. - Reliable stock of consumables/specimen carriers for purchase AWARD The University anticipates initially awarding for; - Device manufactured, delivered into the lab, installed, commissioned and tested by supplier; to be in a fully operable state - User training - 1 year full parts and labour warranty - Parts and labour extended service for 3 years post warranty The University welcomes suppliers providing details of their enhanced service offerings for comparison. INSTALLATION SURVEY: - Initial measurements have been provided for entrance ways and available floor space above but these are approximations - The University will take no liability if a supplier subsequently discovers they cannot deliver or install their solution without changes to the building fabric; in such circumstances the University may at its discretion cancel the award and award to the next-ranked supplier - Giving reasonable notice (and subject to any submission deadline) suppliers may request the opportunity to conduct a single site survey prior to submitting their bid and/or finalising the contract post-award, providing the University and Supplier can agree a mutually convenient date and time. We encourage suppliers to take this opportunity. MANUFACTURING DEADLINE Unless otherwise agreed or offered by the University suppliers must meet a deadline to manufacture and deliver the winning machine, and install+ commission it, by no later than end June 2026.

Options: Purchase of sundries, additional service and machine extensions may be undertaken with the winning bidder via the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Call For Competition

Renewal: Duration estimate reflects; Initial term consisting of 1 year warranty and 3 years extended service (4 years) + the option to extend service for a further 4 years, to give a total potential term of approximately 8 years post-device delivery

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008824-2026 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Competitive procedure with negotiation |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 2 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 7 Jul 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 5 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £361,000 |
| Lots value | £361,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £267,160 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH |
| Locality | EDINBURGH |
| Post town | Edinburgh |
| Postcode | EH1 1HT |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM13 City of Edinburgh |
| Local authority | City of Edinburgh |
| Electoral ward | City Centre |
| Westminster constituency | Edinburgh East and Musselburgh |
| Delivery location | TLM75 City of Edinburgh |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | SCIQUIP |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 38600000 - Optical instruments
- 42000000 - Industrial machinery
- 42513100 - Freezing equipment

## Release History

- 2 Feb 2026 at 10:37 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008824-2026
- 5 Jun 2025 at 10:54 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030174-2025

## Notice URLs

- http://www.ed.ac.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000800799
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00107
- https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.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-054368. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054368.json.