Upgradation of an existing widefield fluorescent microscope, Olympus IX81 inverted widefield fluorescent microscope

The agency is looking to purchase components to upgrade an existing widefield fluorescent microscope, Olympus IX81 inverted widefield fluorescent microscope, or purchase a new system with equivalent specification.

Essential requirements are as follows:

The microscope must have a motorized stage with broad vessel compatibility (including slides and plates), a range of objectives, including 10x, 20x and 40x, and automated focusing capability (preferably hardware based). Camera and imaging software must be user friendly, or compatible with microManager open source software. Time lapse capability is also essential (incl. environmental chamber and CO2). Light illumination by LED for white light source and broader fluorescence excitation, preferably with brightfield capability and a minimum requirement for 4 fluorescence filter cubes that cover the visible light range (already on existing microscope but will be required for new systems).

Additional features that we are also looking for include: flexibility to add filters in the future, multi-channel fluorescence imaging capability, potential for automation/high throughput screening, long working distance lenses and potential for micro-dispensing. Software image analysis capability (e.g. bar graphs/histograms or scatter plots), would also be a desirable feature.

If you can provide the required components, or a microscope, to the essential requirements, and ideally with the additional features, please email to Nawaz Habib (nawaz.habib@nibsc.org) to register an interest. We would also like to kindly ask you for a list price range, not the price you would quote under tender, for the product(s) that you think will meet these specifications, e.g. current list prices vary between £XK and £YK depending on spec.

This information will only be used to seek fund approval and will not be for any other purpose nor be associated to a particular supplier.

If no submissions (by close of play 30 August 2019) of potential interest are received, it is then intended to perform a direct award without competition to the sole supplier we believe can supply this equipment. Otherwise, we would keep you informed and advise you when in a position to formally advertise our requirements for you to bid on Bravosolutions, our tendering portal.