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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.
| Lot | Title | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lot 1 | — |
●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 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