Planning

Dual growth chamber Molecular Beam Epitaxy System

UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

13 Nov 2024 at 13:04

Summary of the contracting process

The University of Sheffield, through its EPSRC National Epitaxy Facility (NEF), is planning a procurement for a Dual Growth Chamber Molecular Beam Epitaxy System valued at approximately £5,000,000, with a potential budget variation of +/- £1,000,000. This procurement falls under the category of Laboratory, optical and precision equipment and aims to enhance the UK's semiconductor community capabilities. The procurement process is planned for early 2025, and market engagement activities with potential suppliers are scheduled between 18th November and 6th December 2024, with an official tender publication expected in January 2025. Interested suppliers can contact Dr Zofia Bishop for further discussions.

This tender presents an excellent growth opportunity for businesses specializing in high-precision laboratory equipment, especially those with expertise in the semiconductor industry. Companies capable of providing automated, reliable, and resource-efficient epitaxy systems with comprehensive after-sales service and equipment monitoring tools are particularly well-suited for this project. Participation in this tender can lead to long-term collaborations with the University of Sheffield and other academic and industrial beneficiaries, driving further advancements in semiconductor research and production within the UK.

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Notice Title

Dual growth chamber Molecular Beam Epitaxy System

Notice Description

This is a PIN notice for a procurement exercise, which is likely to be published by the University of Sheffield in early 2025: 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. NEF currently supplies epitaxy wafers to over 200 users across 28 UK Universities and industry to support UKRI grants worth over PS150M. Our performance is governed by Key Performance Indicators agreed with the EPSRC and include reactor downtime. Therefore, reliability of the system is a key factor, and exemplary after sales service, equipment monitoring tools, and back-up systems are essential.

Lot Information

To be confirmed within the eventual tender exercise

The System must comprise of: 1. Two vacuum-linked growth chambers with high capacity sources and high speed pumping arrangements suitable for the production of arsenide/phosphide and arsenide/antimonide materials of the highest purity. 2. Dedicated sample preparation chamber for cleaning and oxide desorption using gas sources. 3. A separate outgassing and surface analysis chamber with an Auger Electron Spectroscopy tool. 4. Two sample entry locks, and two storage chambers. 5. Robust automated transfer system connecting entry locks, surface preparation and analysis chambers, storage chambers, and growth chambers with space for further expansion. 6. Reliable automation and control software that allows for the two growth chambers to be operated independently. 7. Low temperature (down to cryogenic) metals deposition capability (either within one of the two arsenide growth chambers or separate), and should ideally fit in a 7.2m by 4.5m footprint (excluding peripheral equipment, such as electrical racks, cryopumps and compressors, PCs, etc.). It would be advantageous for the System to have the following additional capabilities: a. integrated vacuum suitcase technology compatible with other UK facilities to allow transport of samples under vacuum in and out of the system. b. integrated solutions allowing maintenance of critical components without breaking chamber vacuum real-time data management suitable for machine learning and auto-correction of growth conditions. We will be looking for a System with: i. resource-efficient equipment, such as low liquid nitrogen consumption ii. exemplary after-sales service iii. advanced equipment monitoring and notification systems, such as power/water/vacuum loss iv. robust back-up systems for essential supplies, such as power/water. Additional information: Market Engagement: We welcome site visits or virtual meetings from potential suppliers to discuss the System requirements during the period 18th November - 6th December 2024. Meetings and site visits must be arranged no later than 29th November. Subject to successful funding of the System, we expect the tender to be published in January 2025. The value entered at the top of this notice at I.1 was PS5,000,000, however the overall range we are considering for the budget is +/- PS1m of this figure, depending on any additional features chosen. Format: individual meetings, either on-site or virtual. Contact to arrange meetings: Dr Zofia Bishop by email: z.k.bishop@sheffield.ac.uk Address for site visits: Centre for Nanoscience and Technology, Broad Lane, Sheffield, S3 7HQ.

To be confirmed within the eventual tender exercise

See details provided against the entry for Lot 1. Additional information: See details provided against the entry for Lot 1

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04b61f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036718-2024
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

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
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Nov 20241 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Jan 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
Contact Name
David Middle
Contact Email
dave.middle@sheffield.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1142221560

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
TLE3 South Yorkshire

Local Authority
Sheffield
Electoral Ward
Broomhill and Sharrow Vale
Westminster Constituency
Sheffield Central

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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