Scope
Reference
250206
Description
The goal of this procurement is to acquire a Single Cell Microbial Isolation Platform operable within a Coy anaerobic chamber, enabling the isolation of strict anaerobic bacteria without compromising viability.
The supplier must demonstrate the successful operation of this Single Cell Microbial Isolation Platform model in an identical chamber, ensuring proven compatibility.
Desired outcomes are to increase throughput, precision, and reproducibility in anaerobic bacterial sorting, supporting advanced research in microbial ecology, synthetic biology, and clinical microbiology. With this equipment, we will be able to anaerobically sort and study both known and previously uncultured rumen bacteria, saving time and costs in the long run of isolating novel strains, and opening new opportunities to discover effective microbial candidates for reducing methane emissions.
The execution of this tender & contract will be solely dependent on grant funding being received, which is estimated to be confirmed in November 2025.
No award will be made, or orders issued, until the grant funding has been confirmed. If grant funding is not secured, the market will be notified, and this procurement exercise will be stood down.
Please note it may be a requirement of the funding body associated with this procurement that delivery and invoicing take place by 31st March 2026. Where this is the case, the successful Supplier will be asked to confirm their ability to meet the required deadline prior to the award of the Contract being confirmed.
Where the 1st-ranked Supplier is unable to meet the deadline, their Tender Response will be rejected, and the 2nd-ranked Supplier will be asked to confirm their ability to meet the deadline and so on until a Supplier can confirm that the date can be met.
Time is of the essence when it comes to the delivery and invoicing of equipment within stipulated deadlines.
Contract 1. 250206 Contract for the Supply, Delivery (unloaded and positioned at the point of use), Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of an Anaerobic Single Cell Microbial Isolation Platform
Supplier
Contract value
- £360,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
12 January 2026
Contract dates
- 12 January 2026 to 12 January 2026
- Possible extension to 12 January 2031
- 5 years, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
Options are available to extend for a further 60 months or until the end of the equipment's usable life. including the purchase of any associated consumables & ancillary items
Main procurement category
Goods
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The Right to additional purchases while the contact is valid
CPV classifications
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 38900000 - Miscellaneous evaluation or testing instruments
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Supplier
Scienion UK Ltd
- Companies House: 11838025
Building 2000, Western Rd,
Portsmouth
PO6 3EN
United Kingdom
Telephone: 07483170002
Email: mike.helme@cytena.com
Region: UKJ31 - Portsmouth
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. 250206 Contract for the Supply, Delivery (unloaded and positioned at the point of use), Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of an Anaerobic Single Cell Microbial Isolation Platform
Contracting authority
Queen's University Belfast
- Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: 101788
University Rd
Belfast
BT7 1NN
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@qub.ac.uk
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland