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Supply, Delivery and Installation of Optical Transceiver Tester

University of Strathclyde

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

31 Jul 2026 at 10:34

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Strathclyde is buying an optical transceiver tester, including its delivery and installation, for comprehensive testing of optical transceivers used in photonic packaging applications. This is specialist laboratory, optical and precision equipment supporting the National Centre for Advanced Semiconductor Packaging. The facility is intended to help UK photonics and power-electronics innovators move from device design and research into domestic, higher-volume semiconductor packaging, testing and metrology. The equipment will be delivered and installed in Glasgow. The requirement is for goods rather than a standalone consultancy or general maintenance service, although maintenance and warranty arrangements may be relevant to the contract. Suppliers of optical test equipment, semiconductor packaging equipment or closely related photonics and precision measurement systems are likely to find the scope relevant.

The procurement has reached tender: the University invited offers through an open procedure. Bids were to be submitted electronically in English by 1 September 2026 at 12:00 noon, with bids required to remain valid for 180 days. The planned contract duration is 720 days, with a possible 12-month renewal where maintenance and warranty are required. The estimated total value is £1,340,000. Evaluation is weighted 65% to quality and 35% to price. The buyer may request additional deliveries, including partial replacement of supplies or installations or extensions to existing supplies and installations. Variants are not allowed. Electronic ordering and electronic payment are required, while electronic invoicing is allowed. The award period and bid opening were scheduled for 1 September 2026 at noon.

This opportunity suits suppliers able to provide, install and support optical transceiver testing equipment for photonic packaging applications. Bidders must demonstrate relevant delivery experience through three examples of supplying comparable equipment. The financial threshold is substantial: bidders must have achieved average annual turnover of at least £2,680,000 over the previous three years. A successful supplier must hold, or commit to obtain before contract commencement, employer’s liability insurance of £10 million, public and product liability insurance of £10 million, and professional indemnity insurance of £2 million. The requirement may suit established manufacturers, specialist photonics and semiconductor equipment suppliers, or capable authorised distributors with suitable technical support, installation capacity, warranty and maintenance provision. Community benefits are included in the requirement, with further expectations set out in the procurement documents.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Supply, Delivery and Installation of Optical Transceiver Tester

Notice Description

Background The UK urgently requires a sovereign, open-access advanced semiconductor packaging capability to close a well-evidenced market failure. Today, UK innovators in photonics and power electronics rely on overseas Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facilities for scaling to volume packaging, which fragments the supply chain, extends lead times, increases Intellectual Property (IP) leakage risk, and exposes critical technologies to geopolitical disruption. The National Centre for Advanced Semiconductor Packaging (NCASP) is the missing link that converts research excellence into manufacturable products. NCASP is creating an integrated, industry-led scale-up facility that connects UK device design to domestic, high-volume packaging, test and metrology - reducing time-to-market and anchoring value onshore. Description The University of Strathclyde has a requirement for optical transceiver tester capable of performing comprehensive testing of optical transceivers for photonic packaging applications.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Background The UK urgently requires a sovereign, open-access advanced semiconductor packaging capability to close a well-evidenced market failure. Today, UK innovators in photonics and power electronics rely on overseas Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facilities for scaling to volume packaging, which fragments the supply chain, extends lead times, increases Intellectual Property (IP) leakage risk, and exposes critical technologies to geopolitical disruption. The National Centre for Advanced Semiconductor Packaging (NCASP) is the missing link that converts research excellence into manufacturable products. NCASP is creating an integrated, industry-led scale-up facility that connects UK device design to domestic, high-volume packaging, test and metrology - reducing time-to-market and anchoring value onshore. Description The University of Strathclyde has a requirement for optical transceiver tester capable of performing comprehensive testing of optical transceivers for photonic packaging applications.

Options: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to request additional deliveries by the successful Tenderer, either intended as partial replacement of supplies or installations or as extensions of existing supplies and installations. The Contracting Authority may at it's sole discretion exercise this option.

Renewal: 12 months (if required maintenance and warranty)

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d879
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072565-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

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
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
£1,340,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
1 Sep 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University of Strathclyde
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G1 1XU
Postcode Area
Glasgow
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM82 Glasgow City
Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North East

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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