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University of Leicester: LUV01414 Purchase of C Trap Dymo 400 by direct award

  University of Leicester has published this notice through Delta eSourcing

Notice Summary
Title: LUV01414 Purchase of C Trap Dymo 400 by direct award
Notice type: UK5: Transparency notice
Authority: University of Leicester
Nature of contract: Not applicable
Procedure: Direct award
Short Description: The University of Leicester, School of Chemistry, is expanding its capabilities for studying the dynamics of single biomolecules. To support this work, funding has been secured from BBSRC to procure a highly specialised instrument: the C-Trap Dymo 400 Optical Tweezers-Fluorescence Microscope, manufactured by Lumicks B.V.. This instrument integrates cutting-edge optical trapping, confocal fluorescence microscopy, and laminar flow microfluidics into a single, coherent system. The C-Trap® Dymo 400 will be installed at the University to support high-precision, realtime studies of molecular interactions, particularly in areas involving DNA-protein complexes, RNA structures, ubiquitin structures and cytoskeletal filament dynamics. It includes multi-colour confocal fluorescence (488, 561, 638 nm), dual force detection (x,y), short tether capabilities, microfluidics, and full system integration with proprietary Bluelake software, all required to maintain the scientific edge of our ongoing biophysical and molecular biology research.
Published: 24/10/2025 11:23
UK5: Transparency notice Published 24/10/2025

LUV01414 Purchase of C Trap Dymo 400 by direct award


Contracting authority




Contracting authority:

University of Leicester


Public Procurement Organisation Number:

PPNM-4297-VLCH


Address:


University Road
Leicester
LE1 7RH
UK


Contact name:

Anthony Midgley


Email:

acm26@le.ac.uk


Telephone:

0116 2522058


Website:

Not provided


Organisation type:

REGIONAL_AUTHORITY


Devolved regulations that apply:

None




Procedure



Procedure type:


Direct award







Tenders received:

0


Tenders assessed:

0


Tenders from SMEs:

0


Tenders from VCSEs:

0



Scope



Title:

LUV01414 Purchase of C Trap Dymo 400 by direct award


Reference number:

LUV01414



Description:

The University of Leicester, School of Chemistry, is expanding its capabilities for studying the dynamics of single biomolecules. To support this work, funding has been secured from BBSRC to procure a highly specialised instrument: the C-Trap Dymo 400 Optical Tweezers-Fluorescence Microscope, manufactured by Lumicks B.V.. This instrument integrates cutting-edge optical trapping, confocal fluorescence microscopy, and laminar flow microfluidics into a single, coherent system.
The C-Trap® Dymo 400 will be installed at the University to support high-precision, realtime studies of molecular interactions, particularly in areas involving DNA-protein complexes, RNA structures, ubiquitin structures and cytoskeletal filament dynamics. It includes multi-colour confocal fluorescence (488, 561, 638 nm), dual force detection (x,y), short tether capabilities, microfluidics, and full system integration with proprietary Bluelake software, all required to maintain the scientific edge of our ongoing biophysical and molecular biology research.
To view this notice, please click here:
https://universityofleicester.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=989210923








Participation



Suitable for SMEs:

No


Suitable for VCSEs:

No



Lots





Description:

Not provided


Main procurement category:

SUPPLIES



Above threshold:

Yes


Suitable for SMEs:

No


Suitable for VCSEs:

No




Contract dates (estimated):

01/12/2025 to 31/07/2026


CPV classifications:


33100000 - Medical equipments.



Contract can be extended:

No



Delivery regions:


UKF21 - Leicester








Suppliers


Lot 1


Title:

Not provided





Supplier:

Lumicks B.V.


Companies House:

PMQC-7912-PDQN


Address:


Paalbergweg 3
Amsterdam
1105AG
NL


Email:

m.brettpitt@lumicks.com


Telephone:

Not provided


Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME):

Yes


Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE):

No


Supported employment provider:

No


Public service mutual:

No





Documents



Associated tender documents:


Not provided


Technical specifications:


Not provided



Contract Terms



Contract terms:

Not provided


A conflicts assessment has been prepared and revised:

Yes



Direct Award Justification



Allowed by statutory instrument:

No



Direct award justifications:


Single supplier - technical


Justification description:

This procurement is being undertaken via a single-source route due to the unique technical capabilities of the C-Trap® Dymo 400 and the exclusive rights held by its manufacturer, LUMICKS B.V..
The unique elements of this are:
• Optical tweezers encompassing multiple trapping sites (4),
• Multi-colour confocal fluorescence microscopy, and
• Multi-channel laminar flow microfluidics.
These technologies are protected by several granted patents, including: US9952421,
EP3256254B1 (optical traps), US9766180, EP3004848B1 (fluorescence imaging),
S11156513B2 (optical force measurement) and EP3737756B1 (DNA supercoiling).
No other commercially available instrument can provide simultaneous, correlated force-distance-fluorescence measurements with the required resolution and sensitivity.
Key performance features exclusive to the C-Trap include:
• Force resolution 0.1 pN and drift stability 0.3 pN over 2 minutes
• Confocal localisation precision 15 nm
• Real-time imaging of single molecules under physiological flow conditions
• Escape force 1000 pN, allowing for broad biological applicability
• Integrated hardware/software for fast setup and automated experimental workflows.
Additionally, the system includes a complete service and application support package, exclusive training kits, and proprietary components that are not available from any other provider.




Special regime:


None



Other organisations


Not provided
Award Notice
UK6: Contract award notice Published 14/11/2025

LUV01414 Purchase of C Trap Dymo 400 by direct award


Contracting Authorities




Contracting authority:

University of Leicester


Public Procurement Organisation Number:

PPNM-4297-VLCH


Address:


University Road
Leicester
LE1 7RH
UK


Contact name:

Anthony Midgley


Email:

acm26@le.ac.uk


Telephone:

0116 2522058


Website:

Not provided


Organisation type:

REGIONAL_AUTHORITY


Devolved regulations that apply:

None




Procedure



Procedure type:


Direct award







Tenders received:

0


Tenders assessed:

0


Tenders from SMEs:

0


Tenders from VCSEs:

0




Special regime:


None



Scope



Title:

LUV01414 Purchase of C Trap Dymo 400 by direct award


Reference number:

LUV01414



Description:

The University of Leicester, School of Chemistry, is expanding its capabilities for studying the dynamics of single biomolecules. To support this work, funding has been secured from BBSRC to procure a highly specialised instrument: the C-Trap Dymo 400 Optical Tweezers-Fluorescence Microscope, manufactured by Lumicks B.V.. This instrument integrates cutting-edge optical trapping, confocal fluorescence microscopy, and laminar flow microfluidics into a single, coherent system.
The C-Trap® Dymo 400 will be installed at the University to support high-precision, realtime studies of molecular interactions, particularly in areas involving DNA-protein complexes, RNA structures, ubiquitin structures and cytoskeletal filament dynamics. It includes multi-colour confocal fluorescence (488, 561, 638 nm), dual force detection (x,y), short tether capabilities, microfluidics, and full system integration with proprietary Bluelake software, all required to maintain the scientific edge of our ongoing biophysical and molecular biology research.
To view this notice, please click here:
https://universityofleicester.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=992454103









Contract value:

Not provided



Contract Details



Contract 1


Title:

Not provided


Reference number:

Not provided


Contract value:

GBP 988,570 including VAT


Below the relevant threshold:

No


Award decision date:

14/11/2025


Earliest date the contract will be signed:

28/11/2025


Contract dates (estimated):

01/12/2025 to 31/07/2026


Main procurement category:

SUPPLIES


CPV classifications:


33100000 - Medical equipments.



Delivery regions:


UKF21 - Leicester





Supplier




Supplier:

Lumicks B.V.


Companies House:

PMQC-7912-PDQN


Address:


Paalbergweg 3
Amsterdam
1105AG
NL


Email:

m.brettpitt@lumicks.com


Telephone:

Not provided


Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME):

Yes


Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE):

No


Supported employment provider:

No


Public service mutual:

No





Other organisations


Not provided
Related Notice
UK7: Contract details notice Published 23/02/2026

LUV01414 Purchase of C Trap Dymo 400 by direct award


Contracting Authorities





Contracting authority:

University of Leicester


Public Procurement Organisation Number:

PPNM-4297-VLCH


Address:


University Road
Leicester
LE1 7RH
UK


Contact name:

Anthony Midgley


Email:

acm26@le.ac.uk


Telephone:

0116 2522058


Website:

Not provided


Organisation type:

REGIONAL_AUTHORITY


Devolved regulations that apply:

None




Procedure



Procedure type:


Direct award







Tenders received:

0


Tenders assessed:

0


Tenders from SMEs:

0


Tenders from VCSEs:

0




Special regime:


None



Scope



Title:

LUV01414 Purchase of C Trap Dymo 400 by direct award


Reference number:

LUV01414



Description:

The University of Leicester, School of Chemistry, is expanding its capabilities for studying the dynamics of single biomolecules. To support this work, funding has been secured from BBSRC to procure a highly specialised instrument: the C-Trap Dymo 400 Optical Tweezers-Fluorescence Microscope, manufactured by Lumicks B.V.. This instrument integrates cutting-edge optical trapping, confocal fluorescence microscopy, and laminar flow microfluidics into a single, coherent system.
The C-Trap® Dymo 400 will be installed at the University to support high-precision, realtime studies of molecular interactions, particularly in areas involving DNA-protein complexes, RNA structures, ubiquitin structures and cytoskeletal filament dynamics. It includes multi-colour confocal fluorescence (488, 561, 638 nm), dual force detection (x,y), short tether capabilities, microfluidics, and full system integration with proprietary Bluelake software, all required to maintain the scientific edge of our ongoing biophysical and molecular biology research.
To view this notice, please click here:
https://universityofleicester.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=1000438720









Contract value:

Not provided



Contract Details



Contract 1


Title:

Not provided


Reference number:

Not provided


Contract value:

GBP 988,570 including VAT


Below the relevant threshold:

No


Award decision date:

14/11/2025


Earliest date the contract will be signed:

08/12/2025


Contract dates (estimated):

09/12/2025 to 31/07/2026


Main procurement category:

SUPPLIES


CPV classifications:


33100000 - Medical equipments.



Delivery regions:


UKF21 - Leicester




Supplier




Supplier:

Lumicks B.V.


Companies House:

PMQC-7912-PDQN


Address:


Paalbergweg 3
Amsterdam
1105AG
NL


Email:

m.brettpitt@lumicks.com


Telephone:

Not provided


Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME):

Yes


Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE):

No





Key performance indicators:


Not provided


Associated documents:


Not provided




Other organisations


Not provided