---
title: "5085.SH.JN - Advanced Nano-Mechanical Characterisation System with Integrated Fluorescence"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06de79"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06de79"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06de79.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06de79.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD"
published: "2026-08-07"
---

# 5085.SH.JN - Advanced Nano-Mechanical Characterisation System with Integrated Fluorescence

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06de79

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## Summary

The University of Sheffield is undertaking a procurement process for an "Advanced Nano-Mechanical Characterisation System with Integrated Fluorescence" aimed at quantitatively analysing mechanical properties of biological samples and biomaterials. This tender, classified under "Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)", seeks to establish a high-throughput nanoindentation platform accompanied by installation, commissioning, and training services. The procurement falls under the open procedure method, with submissions required by 9th September 2026. This initiative, under the buying authority of the University, involves a budget allocation of £349,900 and is intended for delivery in Sheffield, UK, within the region of UKE32. The award is scheduled for completion by 18th September 2026, with the project start date set for 2nd November 2026.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in laboratory and precision equipment manufacturing, particularly those with expertise in nanoindentation technologies and optical imaging systems. The open procedure encourages participation from a diverse pool of bidders, including SMEs and VCSEs. Companies capable of delivering the entire range of services—from hardware supply to software integration, and possessing a strong track record in supporting large-scale research facilities—stand to benefit greatly. Ensuring compatibility with live-cell imaging workflows and providing scalable solutions tailored to future research needs will be critical components for successful bids.

## Notice

The University of Sheffield, supported by the Wolfson Light Microscopy Facility (LMF), is seeking the supply, installation and commissioning of a high-throughput nanoindentation platform for the quantitative mechanical characterisation of biological samples and biomaterials. The instrument will provide a centrally managed research resource supporting investigators from across the Faculties of Health, Science and Engineering, together with external academic and industrial collaborators. The system will enable the measurement of mechanical properties across a broad range of biological specimens including single cells, organoids, tissue sections, extracellular matrices, biomaterials and engineered tissues. The University requires an integrated platform capable of combining high-resolution nanoindentation with optical microscopy and environmental control to permit long-term measurements of live biological samples under physiologically relevant conditions. The instrument must also support high-throughput experimentation using standard multi-well plate formats to facilitate large-scale mechanobiology studies and drug screening. The system shall be supplied as a complete turnkey solution including the nanoindentation platform, integrated optical imaging system, environmental control module, acquisition and analysis software, computer workstation, installation, commissioning and user training. Particular emphasis will be placed on systems that provide high measurement sensitivity, broad mechanical measurement capability, compatibility with live-cell imaging workflows and the flexibility to support future research developments.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075083-2026 |
| Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 7 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 9 Sep 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 2 Nov 2026 - 3 Nov 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £349,900 |
| Lots value | £349,900 |
| 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 | 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

- 7 Aug 2026 at 08:24 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075083-2026
- 6 Aug 2026 at 19:24 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075010-2026
- 6 Aug 2026 at 18:48 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075008-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075083-2026
  7th August 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075010-2026
  6th August 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075008-2026
  6th August 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/E2W9G9838Y
- 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-06de79. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06de79.json.