Thin Section Scanner

High-resolution petrographic imaging & thin section scanning system that undertakes digital slide scanner. Used for digitising geological or petrographic collections, generate & complete petrograph

Project goals

The Geological Survey of New South Wales (GSNSW) is the custodian of the State’s geological assets, including more than 200,000 heritage‑listed paleontological, palynological, petrological and other geological thin sections. GSNSW seeks to procure a high‑resolution, multi‑focal, enterprise‑grade thin section scanner to digitise both the existing collection and future acquisitions.

Scope

The Supplier shall provide a high‑resolution thin section scanning system for digitising GSNSW geological samples. The scope includes delivery, installation, setup, training, servicing, and support to ensure reliable long‑term operation. The scanner must be purpose‑built for geological thin sections and include PPL, XPL, and reflected‑light imaging. It shall feature a 360° rotatable stage or polariser, offer suitable objectives (ideally 10× and 20×), and include a magazine holding more than 50 slides. The holder must support standard (72 × 24 mm) and non‑standard (e.g., 48 × 28 mm) sizes.

The system shall capture <10 µm, full‑colour, high‑speed images with multi‑channel capability, accurately representing birefringence and pleochroism. Whole‑slide scanning is preferred; mosaics are acceptable if quality and speed are adequate. The scanner must support multi‑angle imaging and automated batch workflows with minimal staff input, including overnight runs.

The software must suit geological workflows, generate both low‑file‑size web images and high‑resolution internal images, enable PPL/XPL switching, and display multi‑angle images as if rotating a stage. Automated mineral identification and grain‑size analysis are desirable. The Supplier shall provide installation, calibration, initial training, 12‑monthly servicing, ongoing technical support, and assistance integrating outputs with GSNSW systems such as Minview.

Additional details/instructions

Please note: It is not a mandatory requirement to be registered for the following schemes for this opportunity: -

• Engineering and Technical Scheme (SCM4721)
• ICT Services Scheme (SCM0020)

For "Mandatory Requirement A - scheme membership", please select 'YES' to ensure your response is received.

Requirements

Mandatory requirements

Scheme membership (SCM0020) *

Information and technology

This procurement category has a mandated scheme.

This category has a mandated scheme, to be awarded this contract you may need to be a member of the ICT Services Scheme SCM0020.

Are you a member of SCM0020?

Response type

Radio button (Yes/No)

Scheme membership (SCM4721) *

Engineering and technical

This procurement category has a mandated scheme.

This category has a mandated scheme, to be awarded this contract you may need to be a member of the Subsidence Advisory NSW Independent Assessment Scheme SCM4721.

Are you a member of SCM4721?

Response type

Radio button (Yes/No)

Opportunity requirements

1. Tender Documents

Please download all the attached documents and complete and return: -

Part B - Response Form

Response type

Checkbox (Agree)

Please see attached files in the link for more information