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Supply, Installation and Commissioning of a Thermal Vacuum Cycling Chamber

University of Leicester

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

14 Aug 2026 at 15:37

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Leicester is procuring a thermal vacuum (TVAC) cycling chamber for the School of Physics & Astronomy at Space Park Leicester. The requirement covers the supply, installation and commissioning of a system for environmental testing, qualification and thermal vacuum cycling of components and equipment developed by the university’s Space Projects and Instrumentation group, including work delivered through commercial agreements with third parties. The chamber will be installed in an ISO 14644 Class 6 cleanroom in Leicester. The equipment falls within laboratory, optical and precision equipment, testing and measuring apparatus, and research, testing and scientific simulation equipment. It must support high-vacuum testing, wide-range temperature cycling, precise thermal control, contamination control, structural reliability and power and data feedthroughs for equipment under test.

The procurement has reached tender: the University of Leicester invited offers through an open procedure. Bids were to be submitted electronically in English by 18 September 2026 at 12:00 BST, with enquiries accepted until 9 September 2026 at 23:59 BST. The contract period is from 6 November 2026 to 1 July 2027, with the award decision due by 26 October 2026 at 23:59 UTC. This is a single-lot goods procurement with an estimated gross value of £250,000. Evaluation gives 75% to quality, based on compliance with the technical specification and contract requirements, and 25% to price. The procurement is above the relevant threshold and covered by the GPA and CPTPP.

This opportunity suits manufacturers, specialist laboratory-equipment suppliers and systems integrators with demonstrable expertise in thermal vacuum technology and environmental test equipment. Bidders need the technical capability to provide a chamber achieving high vacuum, typically up to 1×10−5 hPa or better, and temperature cycling around -190°C to +150°C or higher, with precise thermal control. Relevant delivery capability includes liquid-nitrogen systems, thermal shrouds, heating platens, dry pumps or other contamination controls, pressure-resistant chamber construction, and reliable power and data feedthroughs for equipment under test. Suppliers should also be able to install and commission the system in an ISO 14644 Class 6 cleanroom, and provide equipment compliant with detailed technical and contractual requirements. Small and medium-sized enterprises are identified as suitable participants.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Supply, Installation and Commissioning of a Thermal Vacuum Cycling Chamber

Notice Description

The School of Physics & Astronomy (Space Park Leicester) has secured funding to procure a Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) System to support environmental testing, qualification, and thermal vacuum cycling of components and equipment developed under the projects run by its Space Projects and Instrumentation group and via commercial agreements with third parties (managed by Space Park Leicester). Thermal vacuum (TVAC) chambers require high-vacuum capability (typically <= 1x10-5 hPa), wide-range temperature cycling (often -190 degC to +150degC or higher), and precise thermal control (control surface stability in the range +-0.1 degC/min), usually achieved via liquid nitrogen, shrouds and heating platens. They include contaminant control (e.g. dry pumps), structural reliability to withstand atmospheric pressure, and feedthroughs for power and data to Equipment Under Test (EUT). The System is intended to be installed in an ISO 14644 Class 6 cleanroom at Space Park Leicester. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://universityofleicester.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Leicester:-Laboratory%2C-optical-and-precision-equipments-%28excl.-glasses%29./C895QUS33V To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://universityofleicester.delta-esourcing.com/respond/C895QUS33V

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e4e6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077796-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
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)

38540000 - Machines and apparatus for testing and measuring

38970000 - Research, testing and scientific technical simulator

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£250,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£250,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
18 Sep 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
6 Nov 2026 - 1 Jul 2027 6-12 months
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 Leicester
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LEICESTER
Postcode
LE1 7RH
Postcode Area
Leicester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF21 Leicester
Delivery Location
TLF22 Leicestershire CC and Rutland
Local Authority
Leicester
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Leicester South

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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