Call for Applications: Acquisition of an inverted confocal microscope

Release date of the article: December 19, 2025

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1. Administrative part

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1.1. Buyer Overview

Brain&Mind is a biocluster dedicated to accelerating innovation in neuroscience, covering neurology, psychiatry, and sensory disabilities. Supported by a government investment providing funding over 10 years (2024-2034), our mission is to bridge the gap between science and entrepreneurship, helping startups overcome regulatory, financial and technological challenges. We bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and major players in the industry to commercialize innovative brain health solutions.

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1.2. Purpose of the call for tenders

The purpose of this call for applications is the acquisition, installation, commissioning, commissioning, warranty, training and after-sales service of an inverted confocal microscope. The objective of this acquisition is to allow high resolution imaging for the observation of subcellular structures.

Place of performance:

Brain & Mind
Campo-Formio Street 30
75013 Paris

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1.3. Deadlines

1.3.1. Turnaround time

Execution starts from the date the equipment is ordered.

1.3.2. Delivery time

The delivery of the equipment must take place no later than 15/01/2026.
Installation and commissioning must take place within two weeks of receipt.

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1.4. Installation and delivery

The costs of transport, installation, customs clearance will be mentioned in the quotation.

The day of delivery is determined in consultation with the Buyer who will give the seller or his carrier the days and times when the delivery can be made.

The delivery must be accompanied by a delivery note. Any delivery lost due to non-compliance with the place of delivery will be the responsibility of the seller.

The seller takes care of the entire installation and assembly on site.

The Seller undertakes to provide detailed instructions in French and English, specifying the terms and conditions of use of all the supplies delivered

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1.5. Duty to provide information and advice

The seller is bound by a general obligation to provide information and advice to the Buyer. As such, he informs him of any regulatory changes applicable to the purchase and of any other element likely to affect his conditions of execution.

The Seller, in his capacity as a professional in the field, undertakes to communicate to the Buyer as soon as possible, alerts and warnings, in particular in the event of delay, major difficulties or any event likely to impact the mission. Finally, the Account Holder is required to notify the Buyer of changes occurring during the execution of the order.

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1.6. Prices and terms of payment

1.6.1. prix

Price elements will be detailed in the candidate's response. It will include all fiscal or other charges that are mandatory for the services, the costs relating to packaging, storage, packaging, insurance and transport to the place of delivery, as well as all other expenses necessary for the performance of the services, such as:

- Training,
- The guarantee,
- Technical support during the warranty period,

Prices are firm and final.

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1.6.2. Payment terms

Payment is made by bank transfer within 30 days upon presentation of an invoice sent to the delivery and installation of the equipment sent to billing@brainandmind.fr

An advance payment of a maximum amount of 30% may be made upon production of an advance invoice.

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1.7. Warranty and After-Sales Service

The equipment purchased is subject to a warranty provided by the Seller for a period of two (2) years from the date of installation.

Complaints relating to defective parts or to a malfunction of all or part of the delivered equipment come from the Buyer.

The warranty covers the cost of defective parts (electronic, optical, glass and computer components included) with no limit on amount, labor and site travel expenses.

For the software provided, the warranty must include their update and evolution.

In the event of the unavailability of equipment, greater than 30 days accumulated over a period of twelve months, the equipment warranty is systematically extended free of charge for a minimum period equivalent to its period of unavailability.

The warranty includes free and unlimited technical support during business days, throughout the equipment warranty period.

Throughout the warranty period, the Owner has an obligation of result concerning compliance with the intervention deadlines on site in the event of a failure of the equipment purchased.

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2. Technical specifications

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2.1. Content of the service

The service must include:

- The supply of equipment
- The packaging, transport and delivery of the material
- On-site installation and commissioning
- The delivery of documentation
- On-site user training

The cost of each of these positions must be detailed in the estimate.

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2.2. Technical specifications

The objective of this acquisition is to allow high resolution imaging for the observation of subcellular structures.

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Mandatory requirements:

• Microscope type: inverted microscope adapted to the observation of subcellular structures
• Configuration: confocal head
• Laser lines: 4
• Sample compatibility: must be able to accommodate slides, Petri dishes, and microfluidic devices
• Objectives: 10x and 63x
• Imaging functions: acquisition of Z batteries

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‍Condition and maintenance:

• Reconditioned microscopes are acceptable
• Preventive and corrective maintenance must be included or quoted for the next three (3) years

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2.3. Norms

The proposed equipment must comply with current European standards.

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3. Methods for responding and selecting offers

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3.1. Validity period of offers

The period of validity of tenders is fixed at 120 days from the deadline for the receipt of tenders.

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3.2. Presentation of proposals

Candidates will send their detailed proposal by email with acknowledgement of receipt to startup_support@brainandmind.fr before 30/12/2025 at midnight.

In addition to the estimate containing the elements listed in 2.1, candidates must send the following information or documents:

- List of references
- Technical description of the proposed equipment to assess the suitability of the proposed equipment to the technical specifications
- General conditions of sale adapted to the call for tenders, in particular with regard to payment conditions
- Presentation of the Company (number of employees, 2024 turnover, CSR commitment of the seller)

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3.3. Calendar

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- Sending the call for proposals: 19/12/2025

- Confirmation of interest: 23/12/2025

- Deadline for receipt of tenders: 30/12/2025

- Offer selection and purchase: 09/01/2026

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3.4. Selection criteria

Applications will be evaluated according to the criteria below:

- Compliance of the services with the required technical specifications: 30%

- Price: 60%

- Company capacity: 10%

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