Benchtop imaging microscope for neuroscience research

Official notice

Authority: University Of Edinburgh (Education)

GoodsAward procedure without prior publication of a call for competition

Sectors: Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) (38) Delivery: Scotland (UKM75)

Awarded value£345,825published contract · exc. VAT

Awarded 27 Jun 2025no call for competition

Awarded to Andor Technology Ltd

What is being bought

Published requirement description

The Grant Laboratory has a requirement for a specialist microscope system for neuroscience research. This is of a spinning disc type with sophisticated imaging (including imagine processing and AI assistance). As a distinctive factor it is important that the system is of a ‘single box’ type, portable, and does not require a specialist laboratory environment (climate controlled, air table) so that more devices can be fitted in a single laboratory and they are more accessible and easy to use. Two such machines are required; they must be easy to operate and the total price including all features and servicing must not exceed a total budget cost of GBP346k

We believe competition is absent for technical reasons; it is reasonably believed that no alternative device with the particular properties and benefits of the Andor B43 is likely to be available and alternative devices would require significant compromises on key benefits to be acceptable.

CPV: Microscopes

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published

Lot #1Awarded

Delivery: Scotland · Edinburgh

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record · publisher note attached

Procedure method: Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Legal basis: CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
Procurement category: Goods
Notice status: Awarded without competition
Procurement threshold: Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime: Standard
Commercial structure: Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type: Direct award (no call for competition)
GPA / WTO covered: Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement: Unspecified in notice
First published: 30 Jun 2025, 12:04 BST
Last source update: 30 Jun 2025, 12:04 BST
FTS notice number: 2025/S 000-036046
Classification (CPV): Microscopes
Delivery area: Scotland (UKM75)
Official registry OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0555be Find a Tender

Why no open competition: The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator due to absence of competition for technical reasons
Published justification: Competition is absent for technical reasons; it is reasonably believed that no alternative device with the particular properties and benefits of the Andor B43 is likely to be available and alternative devices would require significant compromises on key benefits to be acceptable.

Publisher note: (SC Ref:802986)

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast

Awards 1

Awarded value £345,8251 contract exc. VAT

Bids received 1

Contracts signed 1latest 27 Jun 2025

Awarded to	Value	Date	Status
Andor Technology Ltd	£345,825 †	—	Awarded

Contracts

Contract 036046-2025-1 · Andor Technology Ltd
Signed
27 Jun 2025
Value
£345,825
Status
active

Bid statistics published by the authority

Bids	SME	VCSE	Valid bid range
1bids · 1 electronic · 1 from abroad	0	—	—

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

University Of Edinburgh

Contracting authorityEducationBody governed by public lawEducation Charles Stewart House, 9-16 Chambers Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 1HTContact email, phone

Dispute resolution & review bodies

Edinburgh Sheriff CourtReview body Edinburgh

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice

Andor Technology LtdAwarded supplier 7 Millennium Way, Belfast, UK, BT12 7ALContact phone

Official documents & specifications

Official links; attachments are not copied

No document links were published on the notice.