---
title: "Microscopy and Imaging Equipment"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0675e2"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0675e2"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0675e2.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0675e2.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "APUC LIMITED"
published: "2026-03-27"
---

# Microscopy and Imaging Equipment

Buyer: APUC LIMITED  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0675e2

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## Summary

The current tendering process concerns the procurement of Microscopy and Imaging Equipment by APUC Limited, located in Stirling, Scotland. The procurement belongs to the goods category and is aimed at sourcing and servicing microscopes and imaging equipment along with related consumables and software for use in research, teaching, and medical applications across UK educational institutions and other public entities. Prospective suppliers can bid until 6th May 2026, with the award period starting on the same day at 3:00 PM. This tender is in the active stage and falls under the open procedure method. The total contract value is estimated at 80 million GBP with a robust framework expected to support up to 50 participants, focusing heavily on technical quality as an award criterion. Opportunities for extending the framework agreement are contingent upon satisfactory performance and institutional requirements. The buying organisation does not plan to include a sub-contract clause for community benefits due to the insignificant sub-contracting spend.

This tender provides expansive business growth opportunities tailored towards suppliers specialising in microscopy and imaging technologies. Companies offering optical microscopes for teaching and high-end research applications are well-placed to compete, given the substantial technical quality emphasis during evaluation. The opportunity also covers laser-based imaging systems, super and enhanced resolution microscopes, and light sources including LED and laser systems. Additional value can be found through community benefits such as offering training opportunities and developing supply chains locally, fostering social value and ties within communities. Businesses with robust insurance, proven economic standing evidenced by audited accounts, or the support of a bank, will find this tender particularly suitable, aligning with the rigorous standards set by the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

## 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 - Scottish Police Authority / Police Scotland

### 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. 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 (including Cameras)

- 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.

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. - Label Free Holographic Microscopes - Automated Live Cell (extended time lapse) microscopes - Slide scanners. 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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028255-2026 |
| Notice type | Tender 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 | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 27 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 6 May 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | February 2029 |

## 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 | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| 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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 27 Mar 2026 at 08:45 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028255-2026

## Notice URLs

- http://ucsp.ac.uk
- http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk
- http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000823577
- https://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk/?#!/members
- https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
- 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.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-0675e2. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0675e2.json.