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Purchase of Closed-Cycle Helium Cryogenic System

Heriot-Watt University

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

29 Apr 2026 at 08:53

Award Notice
Tender

23 Jan 2026 at 11:01

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by Heriot-Watt University for a closed-cycle helium cryogenic system was conducted using an open procedure and has recently completed its award stage. The tender aimed to acquire laboratory, optical, and precision equipment, specifically for quantum optics experiments at the university's Riccarton Campus in Edinburgh. It was open to bids from 23rd January to 23rd February 2026, attracting seven bids in total, with all submissions made electronically. The successful contract was awarded to attocube systems AG on 27th April 2026, valued at £165,173.62, under the auspices of the European Union as a funder. Heriot-Watt University was the buyer, a public body engaged in education and located in Edinburgh.

This tender presented significant opportunities for growth, especially for businesses involved in supplying precision laboratory equipment and technologies relevant to quantum-optics. Companies like attocube systems AG, which specialise in cryogenic systems, stand to benefit immensely from this contract. Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in optomechanics and semiconductor chip technologies were well-suited to bid, given the technical nature of the project and requirements for high-quality equipment. The project's scope also offered potential for innovative solutions in cooling systems necessary for advanced quantum technology experiments, enhancing the business prospects for entities with these capabilities.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Purchase of Closed-Cycle Helium Cryogenic System

Notice Description

The University is seeking a contractor to supply, deliver and install a closed-cycle helium cryogenic system for quantum-optics experiments,

Lot Information

Lot 1

The University is seeking a contractor to supply, deliver and install a closed-cycle helium cryogenic system for quantum-optics experiments capable of cooling small semiconductor chips to a temperature of 4K, which are mounted with on-chip optical and electrical connections. The chips should be optically addressable using a low working distance objective. The system will be used for a range of experiments in quantum optics and quantum technologies, with particular focus on characterising devices in silicon carbide where solid-state defect spins are coupled to optomechanical microcavities. The system will be situated in an optics lab at the University's Edinburgh campus

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060d16
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038915-2026
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

31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

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

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£220,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£165,173 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Apr 20264 months ago
Submission Deadline
23 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
27 Apr 20264 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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Heriot-Watt University
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
RICCARTON, EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH14 4AP
Postcode Area
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

attocube systems AG

Further Information

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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