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UKRI-5442 Growth of Potassium Di-Deuterium Phosphate (DKDP) Crystal Growth

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

ContractAmendment

14 Sep 2026 at 13:47

UK10 - Contract Change Notice
Award

04 Mar 2026 at 14:22

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

20 Jan 2026 at 15:06

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

20 Jan 2026 at 15:03

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) procured the growth of two potassium di-deuterium phosphate (DKDP) crystal boules, harvested to the required crystal size. The crystals are needed for large-aperture Optical Parametric Amplification in the Vulcan 20-20 project, supporting the amplification system for its 20 Petawatt laser. This is a specialist laboratory, optical and precision-equipment requirement, including the crystal-growth activity and resulting crystal products. Delivery is in the United Kingdom. The procurement was arranged as one lot and is classified primarily as goods. The requirement is owned by UKRI, with STFC Procurement involved in its management. It concerns a critical component for a major laser programme rather than general laboratory supplies, so relevant businesses are those with specialist crystal-growth and high-power optical technology capability.

The procurement is complete and was awarded on 20 January 2026 through a direct award. UKRI selected Gooch and Housego Ohio, stating that only one global supplier had the technical expertise and experience to deliver a large-aperture, high-value critical component of this type. The award value is £995,882.25 including tax, with the awarded period running from 3 February 2026 to 31 March 2028. The contract was signed on 12 February 2026, became active on 24 February 2026 and has a value of £1,340,000 excluding tax (£1,608,000 including tax). Its contract period runs to 31 May 2028. A proposed amendment records a later end date of 28 February 2029, beginning 25 September 2026, and is below threshold.

This award demonstrates demand for highly specialised DKDP crystal growth at a scale suitable for a major national laser-development programme. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need proven capability to grow and harvest potassium di-deuterium phosphate crystals to tightly defined dimensions, together with experience of large-aperture optical parametric amplification systems. The buyer’s stated rationale places particular weight on technical expertise, prior delivery experience, the high value of the component and its critical role in the wider laser system. Suppliers would therefore need dependable production capacity, rigorous quality control and the ability to deliver precision optical materials for demanding scientific applications. Businesses with established large-scale crystal-growth facilities, specialist optical engineering expertise and evidence from comparable high-value projects are the closest fit.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-5442 Growth of Potassium Di-Deuterium Phosphate (DKDP) Crystal Growth

Notice Description

UKRI require a growth of 2x DKDP Crystal Boules harvesting of required crystal size for the use of large-aperture Optical Parametric Amplification for the Vulcan 20-20 Project. Potassium Di-Deuterium Phosphate (DKDP) crystals are a critical component of the amplification system for the 20 Petawatt laser that is being built under the Vulcan 20-20 project.

Procurement Information

There is only one global supplier with the required technical expertise and experience of delivering a large-aperture, high-value and critical component such as this.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060a2d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086886-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK10 - Contract Change Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

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
£995,882 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
£1,340,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Sep 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Jan 20268 months ago
Contract Period
24 Feb 2026 - 31 May 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Postcode Area
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Gooch & Housego Ohio, LLC

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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