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Dilution Refrigerator for Cryogenic Characterisation of RF Hardware

NPL Management Limited

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderCancellation

16 Sep 2026 at 16:04

UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Tender

19 Jun 2026 at 14:05

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

16 Jun 2026 at 10:57

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NPL Management Limited sought a dry, cryogen-free pulse-tube-cooled dilution refrigerator for cryogenic characterisation of quantum hardware, including radio-frequency (RF) hardware and circuits. The system was to support high-throughput measurements and repeated fast cooldowns, complementing NPL’s existing measurement capability. Required equipment included a vacuum sample space, thermometry, wiring and readout electronics, with capacity to add further sensors and cabling. It was intended for RF measurements using more than 20 coaxial lines, high-attenuation inputs, low-loss outputs and cabling operating to 40 GHz, with future expansion. The system also needed reconfigurable DC connections, a base temperature of 10 mK or below, intermediate-temperature access, a mixing-chamber plate of at least 0.19 square metres and 400 mm of vertical sample space. Delivery was in the United Kingdom.

The procurement reached tender: NPL invited offers through an open procedure. Enquiries were due by 7 July 2026 at 17:00, and tender submissions by 20 July 2026 at 17:00, with electronic submission allowed in English. The contract period was 31 August 2026 to 31 May 2027. The estimated value was £650,000 excluding VAT, or £780,000 including VAT. Evaluation was weighted 60% technical quality, 20% commercial price and 20% social value. The process was for one lot and was identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises. The procurement was subsequently terminated on 16 September 2026, following a review of NPL’s requirements and procurement strategy, and no contract will be awarded under this process.

This opportunity suited specialist manufacturers and integrators of cryogenic measurement systems, dilution refrigerators and quantum or RF laboratory equipment. Suppliers needed the engineering capability to provide a cryogen-free pulse-tube system reaching 10 mK or below, with intermediate-stage access, a substantial mixing-chamber workspace and room for custom experimental apparatus. Strong candidates would have experience designing or supplying RF-capable cryogenic systems with more than 20 coaxial lines, attenuation and low-loss requirements, operation to 40 GHz, future higher-frequency expansion and extensive reconfigurable DC wiring. The requirement also called for integrated thermometry, readout electronics and future sensor expansion, so systems integration and diagnostic capability were important. The stated technical scope was substantial, while the procurement was marked as suitable for SMEs and VCSEs; however, this process has been terminated.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Dilution Refrigerator for Cryogenic Characterisation of RF Hardware

Notice Description

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is seeking engagement from suppliers who can provide "Dry" ("cryogen-free") pulse tube cooled dilution refrigerator system to be used for characterisation of quantum hardware including RF and quantum circuits with sample volume under vacuum. The system should include thermometry and associated wiring and readout electronics with provision to integrate additional temperature sensors in future for comprehensive diagnostics. The purpose is to complement our existing measurement systems and add measurement capability, for characterisation of quantum and RF hardware with high throughput and faster cooldowns repeated typically every 2 weeks. The dilution refrigerator needs to be suitable for RF measurements of complex quantum circuits and hardware, meaning it must be equipped with 20+ coaxial lines with provision to further increase the number of coaxial lines in the future. These lines must include high attenuation input lines suitable for use with sensitive quantum devices such as superconducting qubits and parametric amplifiers and low-loss output coaxial lines suitable for use with low-noise amplifiers, isolators and parametric amplifiers. Some of these coaxial lines must operate up to 40 GHz with provision to integrate even higher frequency RF cabling in the future. There should be sufficient number of DC lines with sufficient reconfigurability to enable biasing of at least tens of RF multi-way switches, at least four low noise amplifiers and few dedicated high resistance and low resistance DC looms for devices under test with provision to integrate more DC looms in the future. The asset must enable the characterisation of quantum and cryogenic RF hardware based on the following: 1) Base temperature of less than or equal to 10 mK with access to PT2 and other intermediate stages for testing components at intermediate temperatures. 2) Mixing chamber plate area of at least 0.19m2 in horizontal space and vertical experimental sample space below the mixing chamber with a height of at least 400 mm accessible for custom experimental apparatus 3) We do NOT require a magnet.

Planning Information

Any submission received in response to this exercise will not constitute any contractual agreement between the respondent and NPL. Nor does the receipt of a response automatically include the respondent in the procurement process. A Tender Notice will be issued to the market which will provide details of how the relating procurement documentation can be accessed and timescales for submission of the said tender response. Interested parties shall bear their own costs of participation in this Market Engagement of whatever nature. NPL shall not be liable for the costs, expenses or losses howsoever arising (including, without limitation, any loss of profit or other economic loss incurred), regardless of the outcome of the Market Engagement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b5a7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087918-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

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
£650,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£650,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
20 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
19 Jun 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 May 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NPL Management Limited
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
TEDDINGTON
Postcode
TW11 0LW
Postcode Area
Twickenham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI7 Outer London - West and North West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI75 Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Richmond upon Thames
Electoral Ward
Teddington
Westminster Constituency
Twickenham

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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