--- title: "Lightsheet microscope system" ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000823166" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000823166" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000823166.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000823166.json" source: "Public Contracts Scotland" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH" published: "2026-02-09" --- # Lightsheet microscope system Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000823166 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000823166) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000823166.json) ## Summary The University of Edinburgh, located at Charles Stewart House, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, recently completed a procurement process for a lightsheet microscope system. This procurement falls under the education sector and was finalised at the award stage on 9th February 2026. Utilising a limited procurement method, the award was conducted without prior publication of a call for competition and relied on the Ranked Direct Award methodology from the APUC buying consortium framework, LAB1028AP. The contract, valued at £730,302.66, was signed on 3rd October 2025. The requirement was identified based on the high-resolution imaging needs of IGC and CMVM research, with delivery intended for the UKM75 region. This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the high-technology sector, specifically those producing advanced scientific imaging equipment. Carl Zeiss Ltd, identified as a large-scale supplier, succeeded in this procurement by demonstrating their capability to meet specific technical requirements. Businesses involved in the development of cutting-edge research instruments, particularly those focusing on developmental and cancer biology, stand to benefit from engaging in similar procurements. Organisations that are already part of recognised procurement frameworks may have a strategic advantage in winning such contracts. Overall, this opportunity underscores the importance of specialising in niche scientific technologies in order to leverage institutional research needs for business growth. ## Notice IGC and CMVM research requires very high resolution imaging of large samples (organoids, model organisms etc) using very gentle illumination. We have already conducted several detailed studies into the imaging methodology required for our applications and have already ruled out: 'Spinning disk / point scanning confocal' type illumination as this is too photo-toxic, Gaussian type light sheet, as the abberations in the light sheet beam path are not compatible with our samples, Oblique Plane type imaging approaches as the field of view and resolution of these approaches are not appropriate for our science. Since this equipment is mainly for use in Developmental and cancer biology we also need the system to be fully enclosed and provide a very stable environment for periods of days. It has been determined that a lightsheet type microscope with laser beam forming would be required to fulfil this requirement. ### Lot Information Lot 1 IGC and CMVM research requires very high resolution imaging of large samples (organoids, model organisms etc) using very gentle illumination. We have already conducted several detailed studies into the imaging methodology required for our applications and have already ruled out: 'Spinning disk / point scanning confocal' type illumination as this is too photo-toxic, Gaussian type light sheet, as the abberations in the light sheet beam path are not compatible with our samples, Oblique Plane type imaging approaches as the field of view and resolution of these approaches are not appropriate for our science. Since this equipment is mainly for use in Developmental and cancer biology we also need the system to be fully enclosed and provide a very stable environment for periods of days. It has been determined that a lightsheet type microscope with laser beam forming would be required to fulfil this requirement.. This was a call-off from APUC buying consortium framework LAB1028AP. Suppliers were engaged in order using the 'Ranked Direct Award' methodology set out in the framework, and Zeiss was the first supplier in the ranking to demonstrate they could fulfil the requirement. ### Procurement Information This was a call-off from APUC buying consortium framework LAB1028AP. Suppliers were engaged in order using the 'Ranked Direct Award' methodology set out in the framework, and Zeiss was the first supplier in the ranking to demonstrate they could fulfil the requirement. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland | | Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549164 | | 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 | 9 Feb 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 3 Oct 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 | £730,302 | ## 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 | CARL ZEISS | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) ### Codes - 38510000 - Microscopes ## Release History - 9 Feb 2026 at 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549164 ## Documents - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549164 Lightsheet microscope system - IGC and CMVM research requires very high resolution imaging of large samples (organoids, model organisms etc) using very gentle illumination. We have already conducted several detailed studies into the imaging methodology required for our applications and have already ruled out: 'Spinning disk / point scanning confocal' type illumination as this is too photo-toxic, Gaussian type light sheet, as the abberations in the light sheet beam path are not compatible with our samples, Oblique Plane type imaging approaches as the field of view and resolution of these approaches are not appropriate for our science. Since this equipment is mainly for use in Developmental and cancer biology we also need the system to be fully enclosed and provide a very stable environment for periods of days. It has been determined that a lightsheet type microscope with laser beam forming would be required to fulfil this requirement. ## Notice URLs - http:// - http://www.ed.ac.uk - https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000823166 ## 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-r6ebe6-0000823166. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000823166.json.