Award

Optical Vector Analyser & Optical Spectrum Analyser

ASTON UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

24 Jun 2025 at 08:52

Award

09 Jun 2025 at 14:01

Award

09 Jun 2025 at 13:54

Summary of the contracting process

The contracting authority, Aston University, located in Birmingham, United Kingdom, has completed a procurement process to award contracts for the supply and installation of an Optical Vector Analyser and Optical Spectrum Analyser. The procurement falls under the Laboratory, optical and precision equipment category and is vital for advancing research in microphotonic devices. The procurement method was direct award, with Lambda Photometrics Limited designated as the sole supplier due to intellectual property and technical reasons, as per a certificate provided by the firm. The contracts, signed on 24th June 2025, are set to commence on 1st July 2025 and will continue until 30th June 2030.

This unique tender offers significant opportunities for businesses involved in high-precision optical equipment and photonic research, particularly those specialising in the provision of laboratory and precision instruments. Companies with expertise in optical buffers, delay lines, microwave photonic filters, and optical spectrum analysers are well-positioned to engage with Aston University and similar institutions. The procurement emphasises the need for highly accurate and speed-enhancing devices, presenting a lucrative niche for suppliers capable of delivering cutting-edge technology in optical vector characterisation and spectrum analysis.

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Notice Title

Optical Vector Analyser & Optical Spectrum Analyser

Notice Description

Supply & Installation of an Optical Vector Analyser & Optical Spectrum Analyser. The LUNA OVA 5100 is the only optical vector analyzer (OVA) that would be identified that is capable of acquiring the full Jones' matrix. This enables comprehensive characterisation of passive photonic devices, including polarisation, group delay, and phase, which are essential for optimising optical buffers, delay lines, frequency combs, and microwave photonic filters. No alternative system identified provides LUNA OVA 5100's level of accuracy and measurement speed for full vector characterisation, making it the only viable choice to support SNAP-based microresonator research and maintain Aston University's leadership in photonic device development and characterisation. A sole supplier certificate for the LUNA has been provided by Lambda Photometrics Limited regarding UK distribution. When evaluating high-resolution optical spectrum analysers (OSAs) suitable for our microphotonic device fabrication and sensing applications, The APEX OSA-AP6 provides 0.04 pm (5 MHz) resolution. This level of precision is critical for tuning and characterizing high-Q microresonators and optical frequency combs. APEX also features a higher close-in dynamic range than other options considered, which improves measurement accuracy when analysing closely spaced spectral components. The APEX OSA-AP6 has a sweep speed of up to 35 nm/s, making it significantly faster than other options considered, essential for real-time spectral analysis of fast-changing optical signals, particularly in optofluidic sensing and microwave photonics applications. The APEX OSA-AP6 uses a rectangular-shape resolution filter, which provides a more uniform spectral response, improving measurement stability for broadband and high-Q optical components. Since SNAP technology demands extremely precise spectral characterization, which lower-resolution devices cannot achieve, the APEX OSA-AP6 is the only viable option identified for advancing our research. With its improved measurement method and faster sweep speed, it ensures the sub-picometre precision, resolution, and functionality essential for SNAP microphotonic research. A sole supplier certificate for the APEX has been provided by Lambda Photometrics Limited regarding UK distribution.

Procurement Information

Supply & Installation of an Optical Vector Analyser & Optical Spectrum Analyser. The LUNA OVA 5100 is the only optical vector analyzer (OVA) that would be identified that is capable of acquiring the full Jones' matrix. This enables comprehensive characterisation of passive photonic devices, including polarisation, group delay, and phase, which are essential for optimising optical buffers, delay lines, frequency combs, and microwave photonic filters. No alternative system identified provides LUNA OVA 5100's level of accuracy and measurement speed for full vector characterisation, making it the only viable choice to support SNAP-based microresonator research and maintain Aston University's leadership in photonic device development and characterisation. A sole supplier certificate for the LUNA has been provided by Lambda Photometrics Limited regarding UK distribution. When evaluating high-resolution optical spectrum analysers (OSAs) suitable for our microphotonic device fabrication and sensing applications, The APEX OSA-AP6 provides 0.04 pm (5 MHz) resolution. This level of precision is critical for tuning and characterizing high-Q microresonators and optical frequency combs. APEX also features a higher close-in dynamic range than other options considered, which improves measurement accuracy when analysing closely spaced spectral components. The APEX OSA-AP6 has a sweep speed of up to 35 nm/s, making it significantly faster than other options considered, essential for real-time spectral analysis of fast-changing optical signals, particularly in optofluidic sensing and microwave photonics applications. The APEX OSA-AP6 uses a rectangular-shape resolution filter, which provides a more uniform spectral response, improving measurement stability for broadband and high-Q optical components. Since SNAP technology demands extremely precise spectral characterization, which lower-resolution devices cannot achieve, the APEX OSA-AP6 is the only viable option identified for advancing our research. With its improved measurement method and faster sweep speed, it ensures the sub-picometre precision, resolution, and functionality essential for SNAP microphotonic research. A sole supplier certificate for the APEX has been provided by Lambda Photometrics Limited regarding UK distribution.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05456d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034593-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
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
£337,257 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£337,257 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jun 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
8 Jun 20258 months ago
Contract Period
30 Jun 2025 - 30 Jun 2030 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ASTON UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@aston.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B4 7ET
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Nechells
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

LAMBDA PHOTOMETRICS

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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