---
title: "Mira 3 SEM X-ray detection system upgrade"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-061139"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-061139"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-061139.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-061139.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF NORTHUMBRIA AT NEWCASTLE"
published: "2026-01-28"
---

# Mira 3 SEM X-ray detection system upgrade

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF NORTHUMBRIA AT NEWCASTLE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-061139

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## Summary

The University of Northumbria at Newcastle has completed the procurement process for the "Mira 3 SEM X-ray detection system upgrade," with a focus on the replacement and upgrade of X-ray detection hardware and software for an existing Tescan Mira 3GM SEM. The procurement falls under the goods category and uses a direct procurement method, below the threshold and without competition. The contract was awarded to Oxford Instruments NanoTechnology Tools Ltd. The contract, valued at £92,911, was signed on 19th December 2025, with the implementation period from 16th February to 18th May 2026. The project is based in Newcastle upon Tyne, in the UK's North East region, categorized under university research and development in a sub-central government role.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in advanced technology solutions and scientific equipment upgrades. Companies that have competencies in supplying precision instruments and proprietary software integration in scientific research contexts are particularly well-suited to similar projects. While this specific procurement has concluded, future tenders from academic institutions like Northumbria University may require innovative technology solutions and services, offering businesses a pathway for growth in the niche market of specialised scientific instruments and software.

## Notice

Northumbria University requires upgrade and replacement of X-ray detection hardware and software for existing Tescan Mira 3GM SEM. Updating the detectors with the last generation sensors will ensure future support and repairability in the next 10 years. This contract covers the provision of high-resolution X-ray detectors (EDS), integrated signal processing electronics, and the associated proprietary software suite. The procurement is a technical upgrade to the existing Tescan Mira 3GM Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). It ensures the replacement of obsolete components with current-generation technology to maintain the instrument's analytical capabilities and structural integrity. Proprietary Integration: The existing Tescan Mira 3GM architecture uses a specific interface and software kernel owned by Oxford Instruments. Only Oxford Instruments can provide detectors that are natively compatible with this system without requiring unverified and high-risk modifications to the microscope's vacuum chamber and electronic bus. To view this notice, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=1010164284

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007726-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - without competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 28 Jan 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 19 Dec 2025 |
| Contract period | 16 Feb 2026 - 18 May 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £92,911 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF NORTHUMBRIA AT NEWCASTLE |
| Locality | NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE |
| Post town | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Postcode | NE1 8ST |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC43 Tyneside |
| Local authority | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Electoral ward | Monument |
| Westminster constituency | Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | OXFORD INSTRUMENTS NANOTECHNOLOGY TOOLS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 48 - Software package and information systems

### Codes

- 38511100 - Scanning electron microscopes
- 38947000 - X-ray microanalysers
- 48461000 - Analytical or scientific software package

## Release History

- 28 Jan 2026 at 16:05 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007726-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007726-2026
  28th January 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=1010164284
- 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-061139. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-061139.json.