Award

Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector Arrays

HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

31 Mar 2021 at 12:16

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the acquisition of a 64-pixel superconducting nanowire single photon detector array is being conducted by Heriot-Watt University, located in Riccarton, Edinburgh. This tender, titled "Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector Arrays," falls under the goods category, specifically in the laboratory, optical, and precision equipment industry. The current stage of procurement is the Award phase, with a contract value of USD 420,000 signed on 26 March 2021. A 10-day voluntary standstill period is set to commence on 1 April 2021, following this contract award, as part of the regulations set forth by the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses engaged in advanced technology, particularly those specialising in precision equipment and photonic systems. Companies with the capability to design and manufacture superconducting nanowire single photon detectors, especially those with access to cutting-edge research facilities or those collaborating with research institutions, would find this contract particularly beneficial. The unique technical requirements outlined in the tender suggest a lack of competition, making it advantageous for businesses that meet these specific criteria to participate and potentially secure a contract with the European Research Council-funded project.

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Notice Title

Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector Arrays

Notice Description

The University requires a 64-pixel superconducting nanowire single photon detector array operating at 1550nm housed in a custom, pulse-tube cryocooler with free-space access, and vacuum and remote control package. This is for the European Research Council (ERC) grant "PIQUaNT: Photonics for High-Dimensional Quantum Networking".

Lot Information

Lot 1

The University requires a 64-pixel superconducting nanowire single photon detector array operating at 1550nm housed in a custom, pulse-tube cryocooler with free-space access, and vacuum and remote control package. Detector design and manufacturing will be subcontracted to the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). System integration & electronics interfacing shall be performed by Photon Spot.

Procurement Information

Under Regulations 2015 33(1)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, a contracting authority may award a contract without competition based on the following justification: (ii) competition is absent for technical reasons Superconducting nanowire single photon detector arrays are currently not commercially available and have only been the subject of very recent research studies carried out by the subcontractors (JPL) involved. This in contrast with single superconducting nanowire detectors that are commercially available from a few providers on the market. This is related to several technical reasons such as the device architecture involved, array fabrication, free-space access, device testing capabilities, etc. As such, competition for the equipment being ordered is absent for technical reasons.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-02a174
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006659-2021
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Negotiated without publication of a contract notice
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

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

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£420,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Mar 20214 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
26 Mar 20214 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY
Additional Buyers

EUROPEAN UNION

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
victoria.kulczycki@hw.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
RICCARTON, EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH14 4AP
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM75 City of Edinburgh

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Pentland Hills
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh South West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

PHOTON SPOT

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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