---
title: "Low-Temperature STM/qPlus-AFM with Optical Access"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-078ea9"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-078ea9"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-078ea9.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-078ea9.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "University of Bath"
published: "2026-10-23"
---

# Low-Temperature STM/qPlus-AFM with Optical Access

Buyer: University of Bath  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-078ea9

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## Summary

The University of Bath is buying a low-temperature scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) and qPlus atomic force microscope (AFM) with optical access. This is specialist laboratory and precision equipment, including scanning probe microscopy equipment. The stated requirement is for the instrument; the detailed specification is provided through the tendering portal. The University is based in Bath, and the equipment is for delivery in the United Kingdom. Suppliers of scientific instruments and laboratory equipment may find this relevant, particularly those supplying low-temperature microscopy systems with optical access.

The buyer invited offers through an open competition. The procurement is a single lot, with a gross estimated value of £400,000. The deadline for enquiries was 6 November 2026 at 17:00, and the bid submission deadline was 20 November 2026 at 12:00. The contract period is 1 January 2027 to 1 January 2028. Offers are evaluated on quality, weighted at 60%, and price, weighted at 40%.

This requirement is suited to suppliers with the capability to provide low-temperature scanning tunnelling and qPlus atomic force microscopy equipment with optical access. Laboratory and scientific instrument suppliers with experience in scanning probe microscopes may be relevant competitors. The University indicates that the opportunity is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses as well as voluntary, community and social enterprises. Quality carries greater weight than price in the evaluation, so suppliers should be able to demonstrate the quality of their proposed equipment and its fit with the specification.

## Notice

Low-Temperature STM/qPlus-AFM with Optical Access - Full Specification available in the document pack via our e-tendering portal For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Bath:-Laboratory%2C-optical-and-precision-equipments-%28excl.-glasses%29./727CCZF6XM To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/727CCZF6XM

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/100331-2026 |
| Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 23 Oct 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 20 Nov 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Jan 2027 - 1 Jan 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £400,000 |
| Lots value | £400,000 |
| 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 Bath |
| Locality | BATH |
| Postcode area | Bath |
| Postcode | BA2 7AY |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK5 West of England |
| ITL 3 | TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire |
| Local authority | Bath and North East Somerset |
| Electoral ward | Bathwick |
| Westminster constituency | Bath |
| Delivery location | TLK12 Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 38510000 - Microscopes
- 38514200 - Scanning probe microscopes

## Release History

- 23 Oct 2026 at 11:03 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/100331-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/100331-2026
  23rd October 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/727CCZF6XM
- https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Bath:-Laboratory%2C-optical-and-precision-equipments-%28excl.-glasses%29./727CCZF6XM
- 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-078ea9. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-078ea9.json.