---
title: "Upgrade of Zeiss 980 confocal microscope"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-07842b"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-07842b"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-07842b.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-07842b.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "Swansea University"
published: "2026-10-08"
---

# Upgrade of Zeiss 980 confocal microscope

Buyer: Swansea University  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-07842b

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## Summary

Swansea University bought an upgrade to its existing Zeiss 980 confocal microscope. The work enhances the capabilities of the microscope while maintaining compatibility with the University’s current microscopy infrastructure. This is specialist laboratory and optical equipment work, classified under CPV 38000000. Delivery is in Wales, at locations in the Swansea area. The requirement is an upgrade to equipment already owned by the University, rather than procurement of a new microscope. Suppliers should therefore understand the Zeiss 980 platform and the need to integrate improvements with existing microscopy equipment and infrastructure.

The procurement is complete and the contract is active. Swansea University used a direct award below the applicable threshold, without competition. CARL ZEISS LTD was selected as the supplier. The contract was signed on 8 October 2026 and runs from 8 October 2026 to 7 October 2027. Its value is £49,931.27 excluding VAT (£59,917.50 including VAT). There was one lot, covering the microscope upgrade. The published procurement data does not set out an evaluation basis or participation conditions; the process is recorded as a non-competitive award.

This award shows demand from Swansea University for specialist upgrades that extend the capabilities of its existing Zeiss confocal microscopy equipment while preserving compatibility with its microscopy infrastructure. A credible competitor when this requirement returns to market would need demonstrable expertise in Zeiss 980 systems, the ability to deliver and integrate equipment upgrades, and a strong understanding of the University’s existing microscopy setup. The work is a focused equipment upgrade rather than a broad supply of laboratory goods, so relevant technical experience and the ability to maintain compatibility are central to competing. The award went to the microscope manufacturer’s UK supplier, indicating the importance of platform-specific capability for this requirement.

## Notice

This is for an upgrade to an existing Zeiss microscope already owned by the University. The upgrade will enhance the capabilities of the existing equipment and maintain compatibility with the University's current microscopy infrastructure.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/095394-2026 |
| 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 | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 8 Oct 2026 - 7 Oct 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £49,931 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | Swansea University |
| Locality | SWANSEA |
| Postcode area | Swansea |
| Postcode | SA2 8PP |
| Country | Wales |
| ITL 1 | TLL Wales |
| ITL 2 | TLL4 Mid and South West Wales |
| ITL 3 | TLL43 Swansea |
| Local authority | Swansea |
| Electoral ward | Sketty |
| Westminster constituency | Swansea West |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | Carl Zeiss Ltd |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

### Codes

- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

## Release History

- 8 Oct 2026 at 16:32 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/095394-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/095394-2026
  8th October 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.swansea.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-07842b. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-07842b.json.