Award

Dual-growth chamber Molecular Beam Epitaxy System (2 Lots)

UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

20 Oct 2025 at 13:40

Award Notice
Tender

07 Feb 2025 at 19:05

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Sheffield, a prominent educational institution located in England, initiated a procurement process to acquire a Dual-growth chamber Molecular Beam Epitaxy System, divided into two lots. This procurement, valued at £4,750,000, falls under the microelectronic machinery and apparatus industry category. Aimed at enhancing the University’s semiconductor capabilities, this tender process followed an open procedure and was completed with DCA Instruments Oy being awarded Lot 1. The contract, pertinent from 1st May 2025 to 1st September 2026, highlights a significant investment poised to deliver advanced equipment capable of reliable, automated 24/7 operations, in line with the cutting-edge standards upheld by the EPSRC National Epitaxy Facility.

This tender presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialized in microelectronics and laboratory equipment, particularly those that can offer state-of-the-art, reliable systems for semiconductor manufacturing. SMEs and VCSEs are encouraged to participate, with flexibility to bid for one or both lots. The procurement's focus on high-quality automated solutions for the semiconductor industry indicates a demand for innovation and efficiency, making it ideal for companies with expertise in integrated technology platforms and precision equipment. The successful supplier, poised to expand their market reach, will benefit from contributing to cutting-edge research and technology provision within the UK semiconductor landscape.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Dual-growth chamber Molecular Beam Epitaxy System (2 Lots)

Notice Description

The EPSRC National Epitaxy Facility (NEF) based at the University of Sheffield has been providing bespoke semiconductor wafers to academia and industry for 45 years. It is a unique world-class centre combining technical excellence and expertise with state-of-the-art epitaxy and material characterization equipment. We are looking to further enhance our capability provision to the UK semiconductor community, by investing in a new linked dual-chamber Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) System for arsenides/phosphides and arsenides/antimonides growth that is fully automated, capable of 24/7 operation, reliable, and resource-efficient allowing further expansion in the future. The system is replacing two existing VG reactors capable of 4" wafer growth of high-quality arsenides/phosphides and arsenides/antimonides, and should offer higher throughput thanks to automation of growth recipes for 24/7 operation, and integrated solutions allowing maintenance of critical components (such as ion gauges, cells) without breaking chamber vacuum. This tender is divided into 2 Lots: (Suppliers may bid for one or both Lots) Lot 1 - MBE System Lot 2 - In-situ monitoring equipment Additional information: All tender documents, technical enquiries & tender returns, must be conducted via the In-tend portal, via the link shown above

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-5f59674f-11b5-4126-833b-082d750c4af8
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8f83ca07-3195-4dda-825e-be1447b0acae
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

CPV Codes

31712000 - Microelectronic machinery and apparatus and microsystems

38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,750,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£4,878,210 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
14 Mar 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Sep 20255 months ago
Contract Period
30 Apr 2025 - 1 Sep 2026 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SHEFFIELD
Postcode
S10 2TN
Post Town
Sheffield
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE3 South Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE32 Sheffield
Delivery Location
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Local Authority
Sheffield
Electoral Ward
Broomhill and Sharrow Vale
Westminster Constituency
Sheffield Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

DCA INSTRUMENTS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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