Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
University Of Edinburgh
Charles Stewart House, 9-16 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1HT
Telephone
+44 1316502759
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00107
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Lightsheet microscope system
Reference number
DA0408
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 38510000 - Microscopes
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
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.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £730,302.66
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
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.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Suitability to fulfil requirement / Weighting: 50
Cost criterion - Name: Cost / Weighting: 50
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2.14) Additional 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.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
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.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
DA0408
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
3 October 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 1
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Carl Zeiss Ltd
ZEISS House, 1030 Cambourne Business , Cambourne
Cambridge
CB23 6DW
Telephone
+44 1223850873
Fax
+44 1223401501
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £730,302.66
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
(SC Ref:823166)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sheriff Court
Edinburgh
Country
United Kingdom