Fluorescence Microscope

The University of Sheffield is out to tender on behalf of the School of Clinical Dentistry for a Fluorescence Microscope.

Scope of Requirement:

The School of Clinical Dentistry at the University of Sheffield requires a replacement microscope and image analysis system that allows viewing of both slide-mounted specimens (tissues or cells) and specimens in wells (eg cultured cells), acquisition of high-resolution digital images of the specimens, and a very wide range of options to quantify many aspects of the images. We require the above functions for both transmitted light and fluorescence microscopy. This type of approach is widely used across the School of Clinical Dentistry to identify and quantify changes in tissues and cells that can be linked with different experimental conditions or disease states.

The School of Clinical Dentistry currently has two microscope and image analysis systems, one that can be used for slides and one for specimens in wells. Both are ~20 years old and use very old technology. All elements of these systems (microscope, camera and software) are obsolete and spare parts and servicing contracts are no longer available. The versions of the image analysis software that the systems are running are no longer supported. They will not run on systems newer than Windows XP (dating back to 2001). We have had a number of problems with the equipment over the last few years and there are elements that no longer function, making the systems less than optimal to use. If any part of the current microscopes and image analysis systems fail they will not be repairable and we will be left without any facility

for fluorescence microscopy and image analysis within the School of Clinical Dentistry, which would have a serious impact on our work.

The equipment we intend to purchase will need to have far greater image capture and analysis capability than the current, outdated systems and can be used to view specimens on both slides and in wells. The Essential and Desirable features we have specified below will considerably advance our microscopy facilities and fulfil the day-to-day requirements for microscopy users in the School of Clinical Dentistry.

The full technical specification can be found in the tender documentation which will be sent to you once you have expressed your interest.

Tender Process and Documentation:

This is a non-FTS open exercise. The ITT can be downloaded by registering and expressing your interest on the University`s e-tendering system https://in-tendhost.co.uk/Sheffield.

If you have any questions or comments in relation to this tender they must be submitted via the In-tend System, this can be accessed at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/Sheffield

Completed tenders must be returned through the same e-tendering system.

Closing date for receipt of tenders: Friday 21st May 2021 at 12 noon (UK time).