Supply, Delivery and Installation of a Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Suite consisting of 2 TEM tools and 1 Focused Ion Beam–Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB.SEM) for Tyndall Instit, UCC,

University College Cork

Tenders are sought for the Supply, Delivery and Installation of a Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Suite, to Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork (UCC) comprising three complementary instruments: 1. One (1) Aberration-corrected and monochromated TEM 2. One (1) 200 kV high-throughput TEM 3. One (1) Focused Ion Beam–Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB-SEM) This procurement will establish a nationally significant microscopy capability for Ireland, strengthening Tyndall’s leadership in semiconductor, photonic, and quantum materials research and supporting long-term collaboration with academic and industrial stakeholders. The TEM Suite will deliver sustained scientific, technological, and economic impact through enhanced analytical capability, research excellence, and innovation at the nanoscale. This investment will expand and modernise Tyndall’s capability in advanced materials and device characterisation to meet the requirements of its national and international research programmes, including activities under the EU Chips Act and strategic collaborations with academic and industrial partners. The TEM Suite will form a key component of the new Tyndall laboratory facilities currently under development and will support Tyndall’s mission to provide world-leading infrastructure for semiconductor, photonic, and quantum technologies. The Aberration-corrected and monochromated TEM will represent the highest-performance instrument within the suite. It must deliver sub-ångström imaging resolution and high-energy-resolution spectroscopy, providing the capability to study interfaces, defects, and nanostructures at the atomic scale. The system must support advanced analytical and imaging modes, including low-dose operation for beam-sensitive materials, Lorentz and 4D-STEM imaging, and in-situ experimentation (electrical, thermal, and environmental). Automated alignment, optical stability, and full integration with advanced camera, detector, and control software are essential to ensure repeatable and high-quality data generation across multiple users. The 200 kV high-throughput TEM capable of atomic resolution imaging will provide a complementary, multi-user analytical capability to support daily research operations and routine analysis. It must combine high brightness and excellent spatial resolution with rapid operational stability, user-friendly alignment, and automated workflow functionality. This instrument will be optimised for versatility and efficiency, ensuring broad accessibility for internal and collaborative research, training, and industry engagement activities. The FIB-SEM will enable site-specific sample preparation, 3D structural analysis, and nanoscale milling to support both TEM systems. It must achieve high-resolution imaging and precision ion-beam milling for lamella production and cross-sectional analysis. Integration with the TEM workflows is required to ensure seamless specimen transfer and preparation from wafer-scale structures to atomic-scale analysis. This tender is being issued as a single integrated suite rather than as separate tools to ensure technical, operational, and economic coherence across all instruments. Procuring the TEMs and FIB-SEM from a single manufacturer will enable a shared control software platform, providing a consistent user interface and operational framework across the suite. This is important in Tyndall’s multi-user research and training environment, for staff, postgraduate students, and industry partners, as it simplifies training, improves safety, and promotes efficient use of laboratory time. A unified suite will also allow for the interchange of sample holders and accessories, enabling seamless workflow integration from sample preparation to atomic-scale imaging. A single-supplier arrangement provides additional benefits including simplified warranty and maintenance agreements, harmonised service schedules, and a single point of technical contact.

Deadline
The time limit for receipt of tenders was 2025-12-10. The procurement was published on 2025-11-10.

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Procurement history
Date Document
2025-11-10 Contract notice
Contract notice (2025-11-10)
Object
Scope of the procurement
Title: Supply, Delivery and Installation of a Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Suite consisting of 2 TEM tools and 1 Focused Ion Beam–Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB.SEM) for Tyndall Instit, UCC,
Short description:
“Tenders are sought for the Supply, Delivery and Installation of a Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Suite, to Tyndall National Institute, University...”    Show more
Type of contract: Supplies
Products/services: Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) 📦
Estimated value excluding VAT: 5 500 000 EUR 💰
Description
Description of the procurement:
“Tenders are sought for the Supply, Delivery and Installation of a Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Suite, to Tyndall National Institute, University...”    Show more
Additional products/services: Microscopes 📦
Additional products/services: Electron microscopes 📦
Additional products/services: Transmission electron microscope 📦
Additional products/services: Diagnostic devices 📦
Additional products/services: Diagnostic systems 📦
Additional products/services: Measuring instruments 📦
Additional products/services: Instruments for measuring quantities 📦
Additional products/services: Instruments for checking physical characteristics 📦
Additional products/services: Miscellaneous evaluation or testing instruments 📦
Place of performance: South-West 🏙️
Duration: 12 (YEAR)
The time frame below is expressed in number of years.
Title
Lot Identification Number: LOT-0001

Procedure
Type of procedure
Open procedure
Administrative information
Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate: 2025-12-10 12:00:00 📅
Conditions for opening of tenders: 2025-12-10 12:30:00 📅
Conditions for opening of tenders (place): https://www.etenders.gov.ie/epps/cft/prepareViewCfTWS.do?resourceId=6943659
Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: English 🗣️
Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender: 180

Contracting authority
Name and addresses
Name: University College Cork
National registration number: IE0006286E
Postal address: University College Cork, 6 Elderwood, College Road
Postal code: T12 VH39
Postal town: Cork
Region: South-West 🏙️
Country: Ireland 🇮🇪
E-mail: procurement@ucc.ie 📧
Phone: +353 21 4903514 📞
URL: https://www.ucc.ie 🌏
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.ucc.ie 🌏
Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
Main activity
Education
Communication
Documents URL: https://www.etenders.gov.ie/epps/cft/listContractDocuments.do?resourceId=6943659 🌏
Participation URL: https://www.etenders.gov.ie/epps/cft/viewTenders.do?resourceId=6943659 🌏

Complementary information
Review body
Name: The High Court of Ireland
National registration number: The High Court of Ireland
Postal address: Four Courts, Inns Quay, Dublin 7
Postal code: D07 WDX8
Postal town: Dublin
Region: Dublin 🏙️
Country: Ireland 🇮🇪
E-mail: highcourtcentraloffice@courts.ie 📧
Phone: +353 1 8886000 📞
Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
Name: The High Court of Ireland
National registration number: The High Court of Ireland
Postal address: Four Courts, Inns Quay, Dublin 7
Postal code: D07 WDX8
Postal town: Dublin
Region: Dublin 🏙️
Country: Ireland 🇮🇪
E-mail: highcourtcentraloffice@courts.ie 📧
Phone: +353 1 8886000 📞
Information about electronic workflows
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic payment will be used
Source: OJS 2025/S 218-750671 (2025-11-10)