Award

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

UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

03 Oct 2025 at 13:29

Tender

07 Feb 2025 at 18:51

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process, initiated by the University of Sheffield's EPSRC National Epitaxy Facility, involves the acquisition of a dual-growth chamber Molecular Beam Epitaxy System, comprising two lots. This contract is categorised under the industry of microelectronics machinery and apparatus, CPV code 31712000, and is located in the region of UKE32 at the University of Sheffield. The tender process employed was an open procedure, conforming to the regulations of the legal basis CELEX 32014L0024. Lot 1, titled "MBE System," was awarded to DCA Instruments Oy with a contract value of £4,878,210, signed on 4th September 2025. The procurement stage is currently at the award phase, following its initial tender phase that concluded by 13th March 2025.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities, particularly for businesses in the semiconductor and microelectronics sectors. Companies capable of providing advanced, automated, and resource-efficient equipment suitable for 24/7 operation would be well-suited to compete. The dual-chamber MBE system is aimed at enhancing technical capabilities, thus offering firms the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge technological development in collaboration with a prestigious institution. The project's emphasis on quality and price, with an 80-20 weightage, suggests a competitive but rewarding procurement for high-quality suppliers. Engaging in such contracts can offer businesses sustained visibility and experience in a sophisticated market segment, paving the way for further expansion and collaboration in research-driven projects.

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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.

Lot Information

MBE System

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.

Options: As described within the tender documents

In-situ monitoring equipment

As described within the tender documents

Options: As described within the tender documents

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04dd08
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062197-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
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
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£4,878,210 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
13 Mar 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Sep 20255 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

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
TLE32 Sheffield

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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

DCA INSTRUMENTS

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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