--- title: "5085.SH.JN - Advanced Nano-Mechanical Characterisation System with Integrated Fluorescence" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06b955" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06b955" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b955.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b955.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD" published: "2026-06-19" --- # 5085.SH.JN - Advanced Nano-Mechanical Characterisation System with Integrated Fluorescence Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06b955 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06b955) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b955.json) ## Summary The University of Sheffield is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for an advanced nano-mechanical characterisation system, integrated with fluorescence capabilities. This procurement is aimed at equipping their multidisciplinary biological imaging facility. Located in Sheffield, UK, the initiative falls under the category of laboratory, optical and precision equipment, excluding glasses. Interested parties should note the engagement deadline is set for 30th June 2026 at 12 noon (UK time), while the procurement process is expected to contribute to understanding market capabilities and may lead to future tender opportunities. This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in laboratory and precision equipment, particularly those with the capability to supply advanced imaging and mechanical characterisation systems. Suppliers offering novel technologies, supportive training, and robust service arrangements would be well-suited to this opportunity. The University is looking to gather information on relevant systems, technical specifications, and innovative features from providers, which could potentially influence future procurement activities. Businesses providing solutions in nano-mechanical measurements, integrated optical and fluorescence imaging, and environmental control are particularly encouraged to participate. ## Notice Background The University of Sheffield is seeking information from suppliers of advanced nano-mechanical characterisation systems capable of measuring the mechanical properties of biological and soft materials whilst simultaneously providing optical and fluorescence imaging capabilities. This notice forms part of a pre-market engagement exercise and does not constitute a commitment to commence a procurement process. The University wishes to understand the range of technologies available within the marketplace, identify potential suppliers, and gather information on solutions capable of meeting the requirements outlined below. Facility Context The instrument will be housed within a multidisciplinary biological imaging facility that supports researchers from across the Faculties of Science, Engineering, and Health. The facility provides access to advanced microscopy and image analysis technologies and supports a diverse user base including cell biologists, biomedical researchers, biomaterials scientists, tissue engineers, and translational medicine researchers. The proposed system will form part of a broader suite of imaging technologies and will be made available to multiple research groups through a shared-access facility model. Intended Applications The University is interested in systems capable of supporting research in areas including: *Cellular and sub-cellular biomechanics *Mechanobiology *Biomaterials characterisation *Tissue engineering *Cell-material interactions *Cancer biology *Developmental biology *Regenerative medicine Typical experiments may involve the measurement of mechanical properties of: *Living cells *Cell-derived matrices *Biological tissues *Engineered biomaterials Researchers may also wish to correlate mechanical measurements with fluorescence-labelled cellular structures and biological processes. Technical Requirements The University is interested in solutions that provide: Nano-mechanical Characterisation *Quantitative measurement of force-displacement relationships. *Measurement of elastic and viscoelastic properties of soft materials. *High force sensitivity suitable for biological samples. *Capability to perform indentation-based mechanical measurements. *Support for force mapping and spatially resolved mechanical measurements. Optical Imaging *Integrated optical microscopy suitable for sample visualisation during measurements. *High-quality transmitted light imaging. *Precise co-registration between imaging and mechanical measurements. Fluorescence Imaging *Integrated fluorescence imaging capability. *Support for commonly used biological fluorophores. *Ability to visualise fluorescently labelled structures before, during, or after mechanical measurements. *Software support for image acquisition and analysis. Environmental Control *Compatibility with live biological samples. *Temperature-controlled measurements. *Suitable environmental conditions for maintaining cell viability during experiments. Software and Data Analysis *User-friendly software suitable for a multi-user research environment. *Data export capabilities. *Quantitative analysis tools. *Support for image and mechanical data correlation. Facility Operation The system should be suitable for operation within a shared university research facility and support: *Multiple users with varying levels of expertise. *Robust operation and reproducible measurements. *Training and access control workflows. *Long-term service and maintenance support. Information Requested from Suppliers Suppliers are invited to provide information regarding: *Relevant systems currently available. *Technical specifications. *Unique capabilities and differentiating features. *Typical installation requirements. *Training and support arrangements. *Service and maintenance options. *Indicative lead times. *Indicative pricing structures. Future Procurement Information gathered through this exercise will be used to inform the University's understanding of the market and may contribute to the development of a future procurement process. Participation in this engagement exercise will not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any subsequent procurement activity. The University welcomes responses from all suppliers capable of providing systems that meet, or substantially meet, the requirements outlined above. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://neupc.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Sheffield:-Laboratory%2C-optical-and-precision-equipments-%28excl.-glasses%29./2DH884A5DZ To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://neupc.delta-esourcing.com/respond/2DH884A5DZ ### Planning Information The engagement deadline is 30/06/2026 at 12 noon (UK time). Please see our Delta tendering portal for submissions of interest. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058170-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 19 Jun 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 30 Jun 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 2 Aug 2026 - 4 Aug 2026 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £349,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD | | Locality | SHEFFIELD | | Post town | Sheffield | | Postcode | S10 2TN | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber | | ITL 2 | TLE3 South Yorkshire | | ITL 3 | TLE32 Sheffield | | Local authority | Sheffield | | Electoral ward | Broomhill and Sharrow Vale | | Westminster constituency | Sheffield Central | | Delivery location | TLE32 Sheffield | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) ### Codes - 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) ## Release History - 19 Jun 2026 at 13:51 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058170-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058170-2026 19th June 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://neupc.delta-esourcing.com/respond/2DH884A5DZ - https://neupc.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Sheffield:-Laboratory%2C-optical-and-precision-equipments-%28excl.-glasses%29./2DH884A5DZ - 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-06b955. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b955.json.