Supply, Installation, Validation, Verification and Post-Warranty Maintenance of Ultramicrotome

{
  "awards": [
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      "aboveThreshold": true,
      "contractPeriod": {
        "endDate": "2033-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
        "startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00"
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      "documents": [
        {
          "datePublished": "2026-03-03T10:09:31Z",
          "description": "Transparency notice on Find a Tender",
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          "format": "text/html",
          "id": "018784-2026",
          "noticeType": "UK5",
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      "id": "1",
      "items": [
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              "description": "Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)",
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              "countryName": "United Kingdom",
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      "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
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          "status": "scheduled",
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      "status": "pending",
      "suppliers": [
        {
          "id": "GB-COH-00476611",
          "name": "Leica Microsystems (UK) Limited"
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      "value": {
        "amount": 170000,
        "amountGross": 204000,
        "currency": "GBP"
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  ],
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-NHS-RGT",
    "name": "CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST"
  },
  "date": "2026-03-03T10:09:31Z",
  "id": "018784-2026",
  "initiationType": "tender",
  "language": "en",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-066082",
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        "country": "GB",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "locality": "Cambridge",
        "postalCode": "CB2 0QQ",
        "region": "UKH12",
        "streetAddress": "Hills Road"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "eos.wong1@nhs.net",
        "name": "Eos Wong",
        "telephone": "+44 7719 412765"
      },
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        "url": "https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/"
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      "identifier": {
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        "scheme": "GB-NHS"
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      "name": "CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST",
      "roles": [
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    {
      "address": {
        "country": "GB",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "locality": "Milton Keynes",
        "postalCode": "MK14 6FG",
        "region": "UKJ12",
        "streetAddress": "Larch House, Woodlands Business Park, Breckland"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "uksales@leica-microsystems.com"
      },
      "details": {
        "scale": "large",
        "vcse": false
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      "id": "GB-COH-00476611",
      "identifier": {
        "id": "00476611",
        "scheme": "GB-COH"
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      "name": "Leica Microsystems (UK) Limited",
      "roles": [
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  ],
  "tag": [
    "award",
    "contract"
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  "tender": {
    "description": "Supply, Installation, Validation, Verification and Post-Warranty Maintenance of Ultramicrotome for Histopathology in Cambridge University Hospitals",
    "documents": [
      {
        "description": "Not published",
        "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
        "id": "conflictOfInterest"
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    ],
    "id": "ADD/PU/EW/25/55",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "scheme": "UKPGA",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
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    "lots": [
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        "status": "complete"
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    ],
    "procurementMethod": "direct",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award",
    "procurementMethodRationale": "Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust intends to issue a transparency notice for the direct award of a Leica UC Enuity Advanced Ultramicrotome to Leica Microsystems, as this system represents a genuine sole-supplier solution with no reasonable technical alternative capable of meeting the Trust\u2019s electron microscopy requirements. The UC Enuity provides uniquely integrated capabilities including motorised segment arc and knife block alignment, automated block-face and knife positioning to minimise specimen loss.\nThese proprietary and fully integrated features are not available collectively from any other manufacturer, and procuring an alternative system would compromise precision, workflow integration, specimen protection, and long-term scalability; accordingly, a direct award to Leica Microsystems is justified on the basis that competition is absent for technical reasons and the equipment is available only from this supplier.\nThe following unique features are extracted from the UC Enuity Sole Source Document and outline the distinguishing technical capabilities of the Leica UC Enuity Advanced Ultramicrotome.\nCore Configuration Features\n\u2022\tLeica M80 microscope with 0.8x objective lens.\n\u2022\tMotorized segment arc and motorized knife block.\n\u2022\tDedicated 35\u00b0 Ultra 3.0 mm Auto Knife.\n\u2022\tOption for active or passive damping table.\n\u2022\tAutomated precision alignment of block face and knife to reduce specimen loss and protect both sample and knife.\n\u2022\tFully automated 2D trimming mode for complete blockface trimming in a single run.\n\u2022\tMesacut mirror enabling targeted trimming of fluorescent regions of interest.\n\u2022\tUpgradeable software packages to adapt configuration to specific application needs.\n\u2022\tCutting speed range: 0.04\u2013100 mm/s.\n\u2022\tSpecimen arm advance range: 0\u20132500 nm.\n\u2022\tRemote care functionality to reduce downtime.\n\u2022\t12.1\u201d touchscreen control unit with Windows-based operating system and intuitive graphical user interface.\n\u2022\tIntegrated live video via Flexacam camera with image and video storage capability.\n\u2022\tSoftware-assisted warning system and built-in service codes for troubleshooting.\nAdd-On and Advanced Modules\n\u2022\tDiamond knives for room temperature and cryo sectioning.\n\u2022\tWide range of accessories and sample holders.\n\u2022\tSingle and double micromanipulator options attachable to the cryochamber for enhanced section collection and TEM grid positioning.\n\u2022\tIntegrated cryochamber compatible with all configurations and operated from the main touchscreen (no additional controllers required).\n\u2022\tLN2 pump with software control and LN2 level and temperature sensors.\n\u2022\tUser protection features including vibration-free LN2 pump, gravity stroke operation, warmed handrests, and safety interlocks.\n\u2022\tCompatibility with cryo transfer systems (e.g., VCT500, Cryo-CLEM shuttle, Cryo-TEM holder).\n\u2022\tWet sectioning capability (e.g., DMSO).\n\u2022\tStandard and high gas flow operating modes.\n\u2022\tMultiple lighting angles for enhanced visibility during section manipulation.\n\u2022\tEM Crion ionizer (charge, discharge, or charge-discharge versions) operated via footswitch and controlled from main unit.\n\u2022\t\u00b5CT-based Target Trimming module enabling 3D automated trimming to a region of interest.\n\u2022\tVolume EM \u2013 SEM serial sectioning module supporting high-quality lossless serial sectioning, including AT4 knife, substrate holder, drain tray, and preparation of ~300 sections on 25x25 mm wafer.\nIntroducing an alternative manufacturer would require compromise on functionality, increased manual intervention, higher training burden, and increased risk to specimen integrity, contrary to clinical governance, quality, and value-for-money principles.\nAlthough the procurement is non-competitive, value for money is demonstrated through:\n\u2022\tReduced specimen loss and rework\n\u2022\tShorter training times and reduced operator dependency\n\u2022\tImproved uptime through remote diagnostics\n\u2022\tFuture-proofing via software and modular upgrades\n\u2022\tAvoidance of additional capital expenditure on multiple EM accessories\nFollowing market research, CUH proposes to procure the UC Enuity Advanced Ultramicrotome, supplied exclusively by Leica Microsystems, via a direct award.",
    "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
      {
        "id": "singleSuppliersTechnicalReasons"
      }
    ],
    "status": "complete",
    "title": "Supply, Installation, Validation, Verification and Post-Warranty Maintenance of Ultramicrotome"
  }
}