Contracting authority

Contracting authority:

University of Sheffield

Public Procurement Organisation Number:

PXDP-7327-GWHT

Address:

Wester Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
UK

Contact name:

Not provided

Email:

james.noble@sheffield.ac.uk

Telephone:

011422 20000

Website:

Not provided

Organisation type:

REGIONAL_AUTHORITY

Devolved regulations that apply:

None

Procedure

Procedure type:

Open procedure

Preliminary market engagement conducted:

Not provided

Tenders received:

0

Tenders assessed:

0

Tenders from SMEs:

0

Tenders from VCSEs:

0

Special regime:

None

Scope

Title:

5085.SH.JN - Advanced Nano-Mechanical Characterisation System with Integrated Fluorescence

Reference number:

5085.SH.JN

Main category:

SUPPLIES

Description:

Background

The University of Sheffield is seeking information from suppliers of advanced nano-mechanical characterisation systems capable of measuring the mechanical properties of biological and soft materials whilst simultaneously providing optical and fluorescence imaging capabilities.
This notice forms part of a pre-market engagement exercise and does not constitute a commitment to commence a procurement process. The University wishes to understand the range of technologies available within the marketplace, identify potential suppliers, and gather information on solutions capable of meeting the requirements outlined below.

Facility Context

The instrument will be housed within a multidisciplinary biological imaging facility that supports researchers from across the Faculties of Science, Engineering, and Health.
The facility provides access to advanced microscopy and image analysis technologies and supports a diverse user base including cell biologists, biomedical researchers, biomaterials scientists, tissue engineers, and translational medicine researchers.
The proposed system will form part of a broader suite of imaging technologies and will be made available to multiple research groups through a shared-access facility model.

Intended Applications

The University is interested in systems capable of supporting research in areas including:
●Cellular and sub-cellular biomechanics
●Mechanobiology
●Biomaterials characterisation
●Tissue engineering
●Cell-material interactions
●Cancer biology
●Developmental biology
●Regenerative medicine
Typical experiments may involve the measurement of mechanical properties of:
●Living cells
●Cell-derived matrices
●Biological tissues
●Engineered biomaterials
Researchers may also wish to correlate mechanical measurements with fluorescence-labelled cellular structures and biological processes.

Technical Requirements

The University is interested in solutions that provide:
Nano-mechanical Characterisation
●Quantitative measurement of force-displacement relationships.
●Measurement of elastic and viscoelastic properties of soft materials.
●High force sensitivity suitable for biological samples.
●Capability to perform indentation-based mechanical measurements.
●Support for force mapping and spatially resolved mechanical measurements.
Optical Imaging
●Integrated optical microscopy suitable for sample visualisation during measurements.
●High-quality transmitted light imaging.
●Precise co-registration between imaging and mechanical measurements.
Fluorescence Imaging
●Integrated fluorescence imaging capability.
●Support for commonly used biological fluorophores.
●Ability to visualise fluorescently labelled structures before, during, or after mechanical measurements.
●Software support for image acquisition and analysis.
Environmental Control
●Compatibility with live biological samples.
●Temperature-controlled measurements.
●Suitable environmental conditions for maintaining cell viability during experiments.
Software and Data Analysis
●User-friendly software suitable for a multi-user research environment.
●Data export capabilities.
●Quantitative analysis tools.
●Support for image and mechanical data correlation.
Facility Operation
The system should be suitable for operation within a shared university research facility and support:
●Multiple users with varying levels of expertise.
●Robust operation and reproducible measurements.
●Training and access control workflows.
●Long-term service and maintenance support.

Information Requested from Suppliers

Suppliers are invited to provide information regarding:
●Relevant systems currently available.
●Technical specifications.
●Unique capabilities and differentiating features.
●Typical installation requirements.
●Training and support arrangements.
●Service and maintenance options.
●Indicative lead times.
●Indicative pricing structures.

Future Procurement

Information gathered through this exercise will be used to inform the University's understanding of the market and may contribute to the development of a future procurement process. Participation in this engagement exercise will not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any subsequent procurement activity.
The University welcomes responses from all suppliers capable of providing systems that meet, or substantially meet, the requirements outlined above.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://neupc.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Sheffield:-Laboratory%2C-optical-and-precision-equipments-%28excl.-glasses%29./2DH884A5DZ

To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://neupc.delta-esourcing.com/respond/2DH884A5DZ

Total value (estimated):

GBP 349,000 including VAT

Contract dates (estimated):

03/08/2026 to 04/08/2026

CPV classifications:

38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses).

Delivery regions:

UKE32 - Sheffield

Participation

Suitable for SMEs:

Yes

Suitable for VCSEs:

Yes

Engagement

Engagement deadline:

30/06/2026

Engagement status:

The engagement has not yet been carried out.

Engagement process description:

The engagement deadline is 30/06/2026 at 12 noon (UK time). Please see our Delta tendering portal for submissions of interest.

Submission

Other organisations

Not provided