--- title: "Microscopy and Imaging Equipment" ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000823577" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000823577" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000823577.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000823577.json" source: "Public Contracts Scotland" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "APUC LIMITED" published: "2026-03-27" --- # Microscopy and Imaging Equipment Buyer: APUC LIMITED Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000823577 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000823577) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000823577.json) ## Summary The procurement process led by APUC Limited focuses on the supply, servicing, maintenance, and repair of microscopes and imaging equipment, along with related consumables and software. This initiative targets the education sector and other public bodies across the UK and falls under the 'Education' industry category. The estimated contract value is £80 million. The tender, identified as 'Microscopy and Imaging Equipment', is currently in the Tender stage, utilising an open procedure. Interested parties must submit their tenders by 6 May 2026, with the award period starting thereafter. This procurement is expected to benefit organisations associated with multiple purchasing consortia, including APUC Ltd and other regional consortia like HEPCW and NEUPC. This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for companies specialising in laboratory equipment and imaging technology. Enterprises with a strong capability in supplying high-quality microscopy and imaging systems, along with related software, maintenance, and consumable supply, will find this tender highly suitable. By engaging with this procurement, businesses can potentially expand their market presence within the UK's education and public sector landscape. The procurement's framework agreement encourages the involvement of firms with robust supply chain systems and those capable of delivering technical innovation in imaging equipment. Businesses excelling in efficient supply chain management and demonstrating strong financial and technical backing are well-positioned to compete effectively for this contract. ## Notice The Authority is seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of supply, servicing, maintenance and repairs of microscopes and imaging equipment plus related consumables and software used in research, teaching and medical applications across the further and higher education sector and other public bodies in the UK. This includes Full and Associate Members, and future members, and their associated and affiliated bodies of the UK higher and further education regional purchasing consortia : - APUC Ltd.(Advanced Procurement for Universities & Colleges): https://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk/?#!/members - HEPCW (Higher Education Procurement Consortia Wales): https://www.hepcw.ac.uk/members/ - NEUPC (North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.neupc.ac.uk/join/members/who-are-our-members - NWUPC (North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.nwupc.ac.uk/members/ - LUPC (London Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.lupc.ac.uk/members/our-members/ - SUPC (Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.supc.ac.uk/our-members/ Other participating bodies include: - Scotland Excel and their associate members - NHS National (Scotland) Procurement - Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture - SASA - National Galleries of Scotland - National Records of Scotland - Scottish Police Authority / Police Scotland ### Lot Information Optical Microscopes - Low-End (Teaching) A variety of low-end optical microscopes, with a price of 10,000 GBP (excl. VAT) and less, suitable for laboratory teaching including, but not be limited to: - Compound Microscopes - upright or inverted equipment featuring optional fluorescence and camera systems for use in teaching, tissue culture analysis and routine applications. - Stereo and/or Zoom Microscopes - equipment featuring optional fluorescence and camera systems, for routine and clinical dissection, sorting, and examination. - Gel Documentation Systems.. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements. Laser-based Imaging Systems and Laser Components Upright or inverted microscopes using laser technology such as Confocal, Spinning Disc, TIRF, Light Sheet and Multi-photon.. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements. Super Resolution and Enhanced Resolution Microscopes - Deterministic super resolution and stochastic super resolution microscopy equipment such as simulated emission depletion (STED), ground state depletion (GSD), SPDMphymod. - FLIM/FRET systems. - Structured Illumination and other techniques (e.g. array detectors) for super resolution or other methods for achieving sub diffraction optical resolution.. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements. Detectors (including Cameras) - Specialist camera and detector components for image acquisition in relation to life science applications and materials research. - Other detectors - Photo Multiplier Tubes (PMTs), FLIM.. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements. Light Sources - Incendescent Lamps - Halogen Bulbs - Arc Lamps - LED Light Sources - Lasers.. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements. Optical Microscopes - High-End (Research) A variety of high-end optical microscopes, with a price of over 10,000 GBP (excl. VAT), suitable for research including, but not be limited to: - Compound Microscopes - upright or inverted equipment featuring optional fluorescence and camera systems for use in teaching, tissue culture analysis and routine applications. - Stereo and/or Zoom Microscopes - equipment featuring optional fluorescence and camera systems, for routine and clinical dissection, sorting, and examination. - Label Free Holographic Microscopes - Automated Live Cell (extended time lapse) microscopes - Slide scanners.. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements. High-throughput Systems A variety of high-end systems and associated products that can be used in high-content screening set up. The imaging systems can be laser-based or not. Associated products can be, but not limited to, software for data analysis, automatic sample handling etc.. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions' requirements. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland | | Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR552625 | | Notice type | OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 27 Mar 2026 | | Submission deadline | 6 May 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | February 2029 | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £80,000,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | 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 | APUC LIMITED | | Locality | STIRLING | | Post town | Falkirk and Stirling | | Postcode | FK8 2DZ | | Country | Scotland | | ITL 1 | TLM Scotland | | ITL 2 | TLM0 Eastern Scotland | | ITL 3 | TLM02 Perth and Kinross, and Stirling | | Local authority | Stirling | | Electoral ward | Stirling East | | Westminster constituency | Stirling and Strathallan | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) - 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services ### Codes - 33128000 - Medical laser other than for surgery - 38510000 - Microscopes - 38634000 - Optical microscopes - 38651000 - Cameras - 71900000 - Laboratory services ## Release History - 27 Mar 2026 at 00:00 - Tender - OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR552625 ## Documents - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR552625 Microscopy and Imaging Equipment - The Authority is seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of supply, servicing, maintenance and repairs of microscopes and imaging equipment plus related consumables and software used in research, teaching and medical applications across the further and higher education sector and other public bodies in the UK. This includes Full and Associate Members, and future members, and their associated and affiliated bodies of the UK higher and further education regional purchasing consortia : - APUC Ltd.(Advanced Procurement for Universities & Colleges): https://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk/?#!/members - HEPCW (Higher Education Procurement Consortia Wales): https://www.hepcw.ac.uk/members/ - NEUPC (North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.neupc.ac.uk/join/members/who-are-our-members - NWUPC (North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.nwupc.ac.uk/members/ - LUPC (London Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.lupc.ac.uk/members/our-members/ - SUPC (Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium): https://www.supc.ac.uk/our-members/ Other participating bodies include: - Scotland Excel and their associate members - NHS National (Scotland) Procurement - Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture - SASA - National Galleries of Scotland - National Records of Scotland - Scottish Police Authority / Police Scotland ## Notice URLs - http:// - http://ucsp.ac.uk - http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343 - https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000823577 - https://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk/?#!/members - https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/ - https://www.hepcw.ac.uk/members/ - https://www.lupc.ac.uk/members/our-members/ - https://www.neupc.ac.uk/join/members/who-are-our-members - https://www.nwupc.ac.uk/members/ - https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk - https://www.supc.ac.uk/our-members/ ## 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-r6ebe6-0000823577. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000823577.json.