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UKRI-6339 - Vulcan 20-20 front end seed femtosecond laser

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

01 Sep 2026 at 15:10

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

01 Sep 2026 at 14:30

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) procured a Light Conversion PHAROS seed femtosecond laser for the Vulcan 20-20 front end. The requirement is for a light-conversion laser that can operate in master/slave configuration with UKRI’s existing PHAROS system, delivering the required performance and synchronisation. This is a specialist scientific and photonics equipment supply, classified under CPV 38636100 (lasers). The equipment is to be delivered in the United Kingdom. The procurement covers one completed lot and is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. It is relevant to laser manufacturers, photonics equipment suppliers and specialist scientific-technology businesses able to supply PHAROS-compatible femtosecond laser systems and support their integration with an existing installation.

The procurement has been completed following a direct award on single-supplier technical grounds. UKRI selected Photonics Solutions, an SME. The award was dated 1 September 2026 and has a net value of £303,625, or £364,350 including VAT. The awarded contract period runs from 14 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. The award is above the relevant threshold. There was one lot, covering the complete laser requirement, and the stated basis for the decision was the technical need for compatibility with the existing PHAROS system, including master/slave operation, performance and synchronisation. A contract signature milestone was scheduled for 14 September 2026, following a standstill period ending on 11 September 2026.

This award demonstrates UKRI demand for high-value, specialist femtosecond laser equipment supporting advanced scientific facilities. Suppliers most likely to compete credibly when this requirement returns will need deep expertise in ultrafast lasers, photonics integration and precision timing or synchronisation. Compatibility with installed PHAROS equipment is central, so a competing business would need to evidence interoperability with existing systems rather than offer a standalone laser only. Relevant capabilities include configuring master/slave operation, meeting demanding performance requirements and integrating equipment into a live research environment. A supplier should also be able to provide technically authoritative product assurance and implementation support for a specialist public-sector research customer. The direct-award route indicates that demonstrating unique technical capability or an equivalent compatible solution will be particularly important.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-6339 - Vulcan 20-20 front end seed femtosecond laser

Notice Description

Single source procurement of a light conversion PHAROS Laser from Photonic Solutions. The laser is required to operate as the master/slave configuration with the existing PHAROS system, providing the required performance and synchronisation for the Vulcan 20-20 front end.

Procurement Information

Single source procurement of a light conversion PHAROS Laser from Photonic Solutions. The laser is required to operate as the master/slave configuration with the existing PHAROS system, providing the required performance and synchronisation for the Vulcan 20-20 front end.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06efa6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082759-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

38636100 - Lasers

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£303,625 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
1 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
14 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
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
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

Photonic Solutions Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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