Award

Prototyping and testing work for the PRIMA project

CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

09 Mar 2026 at 16:37

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

09 Mar 2026 at 16:32

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

09 Mar 2026 at 15:40

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

This public procurement process, initiated by Cardiff University, centres on the prototyping and testing work for the PRIMA project. The University's focus is on research and development services, particularly involving a bespoke optical filter chain for PRIMA instrumentation. This project requires design, prototyping, manufacture, testing, and reporting, with optical, mechanical, cryogenic testing activities, and associated documentation included. The location for this procurement is Cardiff, within the region of UKL22 in the United Kingdom. The procurement process has reached the award stage, with the contract period set to commence on 23rd March 2026 and end on 31st March 2026. The tender was executed as a direct award to Celtic Terahertz Technology Limited, a supplier recognised for its exclusive expertise in the field, following technical requirements and the lack of reasonable alternative suppliers in this niche market.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses operating within the specialised field of research and development, particularly those with expertise in optical and cryogenic testing activities. Companies that provide highly specialised technical services, akin to Celtic Terahertz Technology Limited, can benefit from such contracts due to their ability to deliver a unique set of services that meet rigorous technical specifications. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with similar capabilities stand to gain from engaging in procurement opportunities that recognise and reward their niche expertise and technical mastery. This contract, valued at £412,314.00, underscores the growth potential for businesses that can leverage their specialist knowledge and facilities to secure prestigious university-led projects.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Prototyping and testing work for the PRIMA project

Notice Description

Design, prototyping, manufacture, testing, and reporting associated with a bespoke optical filter chain for PRIMA instrumentation, including optical, mechanical and cryogenic testing activities and associated documentation.

Procurement Information

The contract was awarded under Schedule 5, Regulation 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 on the basis that: - The services can only be supplied by a particular supplier due to technical reasons and exclusive expertise; and. - There are no reasonable alternative suppliers capable of meeting the requirement. The justification is based on the supplier's unique technical capability, specialist facilities, and long-established expertise within a globally limited and highly specialised research market.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066595
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021053-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£343,595 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Mar 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Mar 20266 days ago
Contract Period
23 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 30 days
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CARDIFF 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
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF24 4HQ
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Cathays
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff South and Penarth

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CELTIC TERAHERTZ TECHNOLOGY

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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