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.
Total value (estimated)
- £250,000 excluding VAT
- £300,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 8 December 2025 to 8 December 2030
- Possible extension to 8 December 2035
- 10 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.
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 38900000 - Miscellaneous evaluation or testing instruments
Contract locations
- UKN06 - Belfast
Submission
Enquiry deadline
27 October 2025, 4:00pm
Tender submission deadline
3 November 2025, 4:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/queensuniversitybelfast/aspx/Home
Suppliers wishing to express an interest in this tender must register at this address and download the documentation
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
24 November 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Simple description | Mandatory Technical Requirements Pass /Fail Qualitative Requirements 5% Sustainable Procurement 5% Price 90% |
Price |
Weighting description
Mandatory Technical Requirements Pass /Fail
Qualitative Requirements 5%
Sustainable Procurement 5%
Price 90%
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/queensuniversitybelfast/aspx/Home
Suppliers wishing to express an interest in this tender must register at this address and download the documentation
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