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 dates (estimated)
- 8 December 2025 to 8 December 2030
- Possible extension to 8 December 2035
- 10 years, 1 day
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 38900000 - Miscellaneous evaluation or testing instruments
Contract locations
- UKN06 - Belfast
Engagement
Engagement deadline
10 September 2025
The engagement was carried out before this notice was published.
Engagement process description
Queen's staff have undertaken pre-market engagement activity with a number of suppliers.
The activity was undertaken in order to:
1- gain a better understanding of what the market can offer and if the market is capable of responding to a tender in relation to this requirement;
2- identify potential suppliers for the requirement;
3- understand potential lead times, and
4- gain an understanding of the commercial profile for the requirement
Participation in preliminary market engagement is not a prerequisite for participation in any future tender exercise.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
8 October 2025
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