---
title: "C-Trap Dymo 400. Optical Tweezers-Fluorescence Microscope"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-055daa"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-055daa"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055daa.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055daa.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM"
published: "2025-07-11"
---

# C-Trap Dymo 400. Optical Tweezers-Fluorescence Microscope

Buyer: THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-055daa

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## Summary

See notice for full details.

## Notice

The University of Birmingham, within the College of Medicine and Health, is expanding its capabilities for advanced single-molecule biophysics research. This expansion includes the acquisition of a highly specialised instrument: the C-Trap(r) Dymo 400, manufactured by LUMICKS B.V. This instrument integrates cutting-edge optical trapping, confocal fluorescence microscopy, and laminar flow microfluidics into a single, coherent system. The C-Trap(r) Dymo 400 will be installed at the University to support high-precision, real-time studies of molecular interactions, particularly in areas involving DNA-protein complexes, RNA structures, ubiquitin structures and cytoskeletal filament dynamics. It includes multi-colour confocal fluorescence (488, 561, 638 nm), dual force detection (x,y), short tether capabilities, microfluidics, and full system integration with proprietary Bluelake software, all required to maintain the scientific edge of our ongoing biophysical and molecular biology research.

### Procurement Information

This procurement is being undertaken via a single-source route due to the unique technical capabilities of the C-Trap(r) Dymo 400 and the exclusive rights held by its manufacturer, LUMICKS B.V. the unique elements of this are: * Multi-trap continuous-wave optical tweezers, * Multi-colour confocal fluorescence microscopy, and * Multi-channel laminar flow microfluidics. These technologies are protected by several granted patents, including: US9952421, EP3256254B1 (optical traps), US9766180, EP3004848B1 (fluorescence imaging), S11156513B2 (optical force measurement) and EP3737756B1 (DNA supercoiling). No other commercially available instrument can provide simultaneous, correlated force-distance-fluorescence measurements with the required resolution and sensitivity. Key performance features exclusive to the C-Trap include: * Force resolution < 0.1 pN and drift stability < 0.3 pN over 2 minutes * Confocal localisation precision < 15 nm * Real-time imaging of single molecules under physiological flow conditions * Escape force > 1000 pN, allowing for broad biological applicability * Integrated hardware/software for fast setup and automated experimental workflows. Additionally, the system includes a complete service and application support package, exclusive training kits, and proprietary components that are not available from any other provider.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039280-2025 |
| Notice type | UK5 - Transparency Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 11 Jul 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 11 Jul 2025 |
| Contract period | 11 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £650,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM |
| Locality | BIRMINGHAM |
| Post town | Birmingham |
| Postcode | B15 2TT |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands |
| ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham |
| Local authority | Birmingham |
| Electoral ward | Edgbaston |
| Westminster constituency | Birmingham Edgbaston |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

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

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products
- 45 - Construction work

### Codes

- 33100000 - Medical equipments
- 45214630 - Scientific installations

## Release History

- 11 Jul 2025 at 12:47 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039280-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039280-2025
  11th July 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.birmingham.ac.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-055daa. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055daa.json.