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UKRI-5440 - Control Systems for Superconducting Quantum Computing Research

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

17 Jul 2026 at 07:59

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

13 Jul 2026 at 14:46

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

20 Mar 2026 at 14:45

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

04 Feb 2026 at 08:26

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), through the National Quantum Computing Centre, procured a superconducting qubit control system for research into superconducting quantum computing. The requirement covers one control system initially, capable of measuring and controlling superconducting multi-qubit systems for experimental research into quantum error correction. The solution must be scalable and technically compatible with additional control systems and associated upgrades procured during the contract. The work concerns electronic, electromechanical and electrotechnical supplies, with delivery in the United Kingdom. The equipment supports the NQCC’s plans to build and scale quantum computers based on superconducting circuit qubits and to expand its related research and development activity.

The open procedure has been completed and the contract was awarded to Zurich Instruments AG. The award date was 20 March 2026, the contract was signed on 2 April 2026, and the active contract runs from 3 April 2026 to 2 April 2027, with annual extensions possible up to 2 April 2031. The awarded value is £6,484,405.67 excluding VAT, or £7,781,286.80 including VAT. The original procurement estimate was £5,000,000 excluding VAT, or £6,000,000 including VAT. The initial 12-month period allowed spending of up to £1,000,000, with annual extensions for up to four further years and additional quantum-computing systems as options. Five bids were received and one reached the final stage. Evaluation weighted technical and quality considerations at 60% and price at 40%.

This award demonstrates substantial UKRI demand for specialist control equipment supporting superconducting quantum-computing research, with requirements extending beyond an initial system to compatible expansion and upgrades. Suppliers best placed for a future requirement would need demonstrable expertise in superconducting-qubit control, multi-qubit measurement, quantum error-correction experiments and integration with research-grade quantum-computing platforms. Technical compatibility, scalability and the ability to supply additional systems or later-year deliverables would be central to credibility. The competition attracted five bids, while the final stage had one bidder, indicating that capability to meet the detailed technical requirement was particularly important. UKRI recorded the opportunity as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, so specialist SMEs with relevant equipment, engineering and research experience could be well positioned, either independently or through a technically strong partnership.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-5440 - Control Systems for Superconducting Quantum Computing Research

Notice Description

The UK's National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) plans to build and scale quantum computers based on superconducting circuit qubits for its research activities. This tender is for the purchase of one (1) superconducting qubit control system in the first instance, with the option to procure additional compatible systems and associated upgrades over the contract duration (up to five years) to support the ongoing scaling of NQCC's quantum computing platforms and related research and development activity. The control system must enable NQCC researchers to measure and control superconducting multi-qubit systems for experimental research in quantum error correction for superconducting quantum computing. A suitable control system solution that can be scaled and upgraded over the contract term while maintaining technical compatibility will accelerate NQCC's research programme in superconducting quantum computing.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Additional QB systems

Renewal: The initial contract period will be twelve (12) months with a maximum spend of 1 million Pounds sterling (PS1,000,000). with the option to extend on an annual basis for up to four (4) years. The estimated total value of the contract is up to five million pounds sterling (PS5,000,000), exclusive of VAT, over a maximum term of five (5) years.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-061609
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067493-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

31700000 - Electronic, electromechanical and electrotechnical supplies

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£6,484,405 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£6,484,405 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
6 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Mar 20266 months ago
Contract Period
3 Apr 2026 - 2 Apr 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
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

Zurich Instruments AG

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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