---
title: "Benchtop imaging microscope for neuroscience research"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0555be"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0555be"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0555be.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0555be.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH"
published: "2025-06-30"
---

# Benchtop imaging microscope for neuroscience research

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0555be

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0555be)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0555be.json)

## Summary

The University of Edinburgh has successfully completed a procurement process for two benchtop imaging microscopes, essential for neuroscience research. This tender falls under the goods category, specifically targeting microscopes within the scientific research industry. The procurement method employed was limited, owing to technical reasons concerning the absence of competition, as only Andor Technology Ltd could provide the unique features required. The contract, awarded on 27th June 2025, values at GBP 345,825 and spans the Edinburgh location, with the process initiation tagged as a tender.

This tender presents a substantial growth opportunity to businesses capable of developing or supplying highly specialised scientific equipment. Firms that possess cutting-edge technology and innovation in imaging and neuroscience research are well positioned to compete in such areas. As the procurement approach was direct due to the specific technological requirements, businesses poised to invest in unique product development could benefit from similar procurement opportunities. Large-scale suppliers, such as Andor Technology Ltd, benefit from delivering unparalleled solutions with AI assistance and sophisticated imaging systems. Such contracts illustrate the demand for advanced technology in research environments, enabling competitive positioning for businesses in this niche market.

## Notice

The Grant Laboratory has a requirement for a specialist microscope system for neuroscience research. This is of a spinning disc type with sophisticated imaging (including imagine processing and AI assistance). As a distinctive factor it is important that the system is of a 'single box' type, portable, and does not require a specialist laboratory environment (climate controlled, air table) so that more devices can be fitted in a single laboratory and they are more accessible and easy to use. Two such machines are required; they must be easy to operate and the total price including all features and servicing must not exceed a total budget cost of GBP346k We believe competition is absent for technical reasons; it is reasonably believed that no alternative device with the particular properties and benefits of the Andor B43 is likely to be available and alternative devices would require significant compromises on key benefits to be acceptable.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The Grant Laboratory has a requirement for a specialist microscope system for neuroscience research. This is of a spinning disc type with sophisticated imaging (including imagine processing and AI assistance). As a distinctive factor it is important that the system is of a 'single box' type, portable, and does not require a specialist laboratory environment (climate controlled, air table) so that more devices can be fitted in a single laboratory and they are more accessible and easy to use. Two such machines are required; they must be easy to operate and the total price including all features and servicing must not exceed a total budget cost of GBP 346k Competition is absent for technical reasons; it is reasonably believed that no alternative device with the particular properties and benefits of the Andor B43 is likely to be available and alternative devices would require significant compromises on key benefits to be acceptable

### Procurement Information

Competition is absent for technical reasons; it is reasonably believed that no alternative device with the particular properties and benefits of the Andor B43 is likely to be available and alternative devices would require significant compromises on key benefits to be acceptable.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036046-2025 |
| 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 | 30 Jun 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 26 Jun 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £345,825 |

## 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 | ANDOR TECHNOLOGY |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 38510000 - Microscopes

## Release History

- 30 Jun 2025 at 11:04 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036046-2025

## Notice URLs

- http://www.ed.ac.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000802986
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00107

## 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-0555be. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0555be.json.