---
title: "Benchtop imaging microscope for neuroscience research"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000802986"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000802986"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000802986.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000802986.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH"
published: "2025-06-30"
---

# Benchtop imaging microscope for neuroscience research

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000802986

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## Summary

The University of Edinburgh, serving as the buying organisation, has completed the procurement process for a benchtop imaging microscope specifically for neuroscience research. This contract involved the acquisition of specialised equipment designed for more user-friendly lab settings, emphasizing portability and ease of use. The procurement falls under the education category and is located within Edinburgh. The contract was awarded on 27 June 2025 and further details indicate the procurement method was limited due to a lack of competition for technical reasons. This specific project aligns with the procurement stage tagged as both award and contract.

This tender creates substantial opportunities for businesses involved in high-tech imaging systems and neuroscience research supplies. It particularly suits large-scale companies capable of delivering cutting-edge equipment required by academic institutions. Businesses with products that overcome technical challenges, offering unique functionalities, are well positioned to engage in similar procurement processes. The contract, valued at approximately GBP345,825, demonstrates a commitment to investing in niche neuroscience research tools, implying potential growth for suppliers in the technological innovation and education sectors.

## Notice

The Grant Laboratory has a requirement for a specialist microscope system for neuroscience research. This is of a spinning disc type with sophisticated imaging (including imagine processing and AI assistance). As a distinctive factor it is important that the system is of a 'single box' type, portable, and does not require a specialist laboratory environment (climate controlled, air table) so that more devices can be fitted in a single laboratory and they are more accessible and easy to use. Two such machines are required; they must be easy to operate and the total price including all features and servicing must not exceed a total budget cost of GBP346k We believe competition is absent for technical reasons; it is reasonably believed that no alternative device with the particular properties and benefits of the Andor B43 is likely to be available and alternative devices would require significant compromises on key benefits to be acceptable.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The Grant Laboratory has a requirement for a specialist microscope system for neuroscience research. This is of a spinning disc type with sophisticated imaging (including imagine processing and AI assistance). As a distinctive factor it is important that the system is of a 'single box' type, portable, and does not require a specialist laboratory environment (climate controlled, air table) so that more devices can be fitted in a single laboratory and they are more accessible and easy to use. Two such machines are required; they must be easy to operate and the total price including all features and servicing must not exceed a total budget cost of GBP 346k Competition is absent for technical reasons; it is reasonably believed that no alternative device with the particular properties and benefits of the Andor B43 is likely to be available and alternative devices would require significant compromises on key benefits to be acceptable

### Procurement Information

Competition is absent for technical reasons; it is reasonably believed that no alternative device with the particular properties and benefits of the Andor B43 is likely to be available and alternative devices would require significant compromises on key benefits to be acceptable.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN533557 |
| 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 | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 30 Jun 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 27 Jun 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £345,825 |

## 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 | ANDOR TECHNOLOGY |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 38510000 - Microscopes

## Release History

- 30 Jun 2025 at 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN533557

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN533557
  Benchtop imaging microscope for neuroscience research - The Grant Laboratory has a requirement for a specialist microscope system for neuroscience research. This is of a spinning disc type with sophisticated imaging (including imagine processing and AI assistance). As a distinctive factor it is important that the system is of a 'single box' type, portable, and does not require a specialist laboratory environment (climate controlled, air table) so that more devices can be fitted in a single laboratory and they are more accessible and easy to use. Two such machines are required; they must be easy to operate and the total price including all features and servicing must not exceed a total budget cost of GBP346k We believe competition is absent for technical reasons; it is reasonably believed that no alternative device with the particular properties and benefits of the Andor B43 is likely to be available and alternative devices would require significant compromises on key benefits to be acceptable.

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://www.ed.ac.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000802986

## 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-r6ebe6-0000802986. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000802986.json.