---
title: "NCA30884 3i Bespoke Built Microscope"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000620106"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000620106"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000620106.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000620106.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH"
published: "2020-04-17"
---

# NCA30884 3i Bespoke Built Microscope

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000620106

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## Summary

The University of Edinburgh has successfully completed a procurement process for a bespoke built microscope, identified as NCA30884. This project falls under the goods category in the education sector and was located in Edinburgh, UK. The procurement was conducted through a limited method, specifically an award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition. The award was signed on 10th March 2020 and the total contract value is £606,580. The tendering process was unique as it justified using a negotiated procedure due to the absence of competition for technical reasons.

This procurement presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in advanced imaging technologies, particularly those that can provide highly specialised equipment and integrated software solutions. Companies with expertise in multiphoton imaging and confocal microscopy, especially small and medium-sized enterprises like Intelligent Imaging Innovations Ltd., would be well-suited to compete in similar future tenders. The unique technical requirements of the microscope open avenues for businesses that develop cutting-edge scientific instruments to engage with prestigious institutions like universities, potentially leading to fruitful collaborations and business growth.

## Notice

Under Regulation Reg 33(1)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, a contracting authority may use the negotiated procedure without the prior publication in the case of a public contract, based on the following justification: Competition is absent for technical reasons (only if it is not caused by artificial narrowing down of the parameters of the procurement and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists). A bespoke microscope platform, consisting of two independent light paths. This apparatus will be capable of simultaneous 2-photon scanned confocal imaging, 2-photon holographic light patterning, and single photon super resolution high-speed confocal imaging. This integrated two microscope system will be controlled by a single software solution to ensure synchronous control of both microscopes.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Under Regulation Reg 33(1)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, a contracting authority may use the negotiated procedure without the prior publication in the case of a public contract, based on the following justification: Competition is absent for technical reasons (only if it is not caused by artificial narrowing down of the parameters of the procurement and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists).

### Procurement Information

The procurement falls under Reg 33(1)(b)(ii), as we believe that Intelligent Imaging Innovations Ltd. (referred to as 3i, and also trading as INTELLIGENT IMAGING INNOVATIONS, INC.) are the only company able to provide a system capable of simultaneous scanned multiphoton imaging with scanless 3D patterned multiphoton illumination on one microscope in combination with a second spatially uncoupled super-resolution spinning disk confocal microscope, where all three systems are controlled with sub-millisecond precision.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR385329 |
| Notice type | OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 17 Apr 2020 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 10 Mar 2020 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £606,580 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH |
| Locality | EDINBURGH |
| Post town | Edinburgh |
| Postcode | EH1 1HT |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM13 City of Edinburgh |
| Local authority | City of Edinburgh |
| Electoral ward | City Centre |
| Westminster constituency | Edinburgh East and Musselburgh |
| Delivery location | TLM75 City of Edinburgh |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | INTELLIGENT IMAGING INNOVATIONS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 38510000 - Microscopes

## Release History

- 17 Apr 2020 at 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR385329

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR385329
  NCA30884 3i Bespoke Built Microscope - Under Regulation Reg 33(1)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, a contracting authority may use the negotiated procedure without the prior publication in the case of a public contract, based on the following justification: Competition is absent for technical reasons (only if it is not caused by artificial narrowing down of the parameters of the procurement and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists). A bespoke microscope platform, consisting of two independent light paths. This apparatus will be capable of simultaneous 2-photon scanned confocal imaging, 2-photon holographic light patterning, and single photon super resolution high-speed confocal imaging. This integrated two microscope system will be controlled by a single software solution to ensure synchronous control of both microscopes.

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/procurement/supplying
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000620106
- https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/court-locations/edinburgh-sheriff-court-and-justice-of-the-peace-court

## 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-r6ebe6-0000620106. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000620106.json.