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UKRI-6173 Photomultiplier Tubes for SANDALS II

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

04 Aug 2026 at 14:11

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

08 Jul 2026 at 13:39

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

08 Jul 2026 at 13:36

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) procured photomultiplier tubes for the SANDALS II detector array at the ISIS neutron and muon source at STFC RAL. These are detection and analysis apparatus used to support the existing detector system. The requirement covers component supply rather than construction, installation or wider detector services. The equipment must integrate with the current SANDALS II arrangement, so the opportunity is aimed at suppliers of photomultiplier tubes and closely related scientific detection equipment. Delivery is associated with STFC RAL in the United Kingdom. UKRI is the buying organisation, with the procurement managed for the relevant STFC facility. The single requirement was suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises, although the technical compatibility requirement is central to the scope.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded through a direct award. UKRI selected ET Enterprises Ltd. on 8 July 2026, citing disproportionate technical compatibility requirements because the components had to integrate with the existing detector system. The award value is £120,920 excluding VAT, or £145,104 including VAT. The contract was signed on 24 July 2026 and runs from 22 July 2026 to 29 January 2027, with the contract period recorded as 24 July 2026 to 29 January 2027. There was one completed lot. The award is active and the contract is active. The requirement was above the applicable threshold. Evaluation was based on the stated technical compatibility rationale rather than an open competitive procedure.

This award indicates a specialist requirement for photomultiplier tubes that can operate within an established neutron and muon detector system. Suppliers considering future work for UKRI and STFC RAL would need credible technical knowledge of photomultiplier technology, detection and analysis apparatus, and the practical integration of replacement or compatible components into existing scientific instrumentation. Evidence that products match the detector’s technical interfaces, performance requirements and operating environment would be important. A credible competitor would also need reliable supply capacity for a facility-critical research application, with quality assurance, product traceability and technical support sufficient to reduce compatibility and continuity risks. The selected supplier is an SME, and the requirement was identified as suitable for SMEs, indicating that specialist smaller businesses with demonstrable product fit can compete where they can satisfy the compatibility constraints.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-6173 Photomultiplier Tubes for SANDALS II

Notice Description

This requirement is for the procurement of Photomultiplier tubes for the SANDALS II detector array at the ISIS neutron and muon source in STFC RAL. The contract is awarded via direct award due to disproportionate technical compatibility requirements, as the components must integrate with the existing detector system.

Procurement Information

The contract is awarded via direct award due to disproportionate technical compatibility requirements, as the components must integrate with the existing detector system.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c65f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073727-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

38430000 - Detection and analysis apparatus

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£120,920 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£120,920 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
8 Jul 20262 months ago
Contract Period
24 Jul 2026 - 29 Jan 2027 6-12 months
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

ET Enterprises Ltd.

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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