Award

Silicon CMOS image sensor microchips

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Summary of the contracting process

The University Of Edinburgh has awarded a contract for the procurement of Silicon CMOS image sensor microchips through a limited procurement method. The tender, titled "Silicon CMOS image sensor microchips," is in the goods category and aims to develop miniature cameras with advanced technology. The buying organization, University Of Edinburgh, located in Edinburgh, UK, initiated the tender process, which has now reached the award stage as of 4th July 2024. The University is seeking these microchips to develop cutting-edge cameras for specific research purposes.

This tender presents an opportunity for businesses specializing in high-tech sensor manufacturing to collaborate with the University Of Edinburgh on innovative projects. Companies with expertise in fabricating advanced sensor technologies, such as STMicroelectronics (R&D) Ltd, are well-suited to compete in this procurement process. The project requires state-of-the-art technology not widely available, making it ideal for manufacturers with specialized capabilities in developing sensitive camera components. By successfully fulfilling this contract, businesses can establish valuable partnerships with academic institutions and contribute to groundbreaking research initiatives.

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Notice Title

Silicon CMOS image sensor microchips

Notice Description

3D stacked back-side illuminated Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD)

Lot Information

Lot 1

EPSRC Quantic Project run by the University of Edinburgh requires that microchips be purchased to be a component in cameras that are being developed that require a 3D stacked back-side illuminated SPAD array to obtain the sensitivity required to detect neural activity, combined with an advanced digital bottom tier for digital image processing. This limits the number of potential manufacturers to only a few worldwide (aside from STMicroelectronics these are Sony, Samsung, TSMC, TowerJazz, AMS) as this is state-of-the-art technology developed in only the last few years through billions of dollars of capital investment. A previous NCA allowed us to purchase these Microchips and understand the Market in 2021 which has not moved in relation this commodity and market movement to consumers. What this has done however, has been to build a relationship with STMicroelectronic products. The University of Edinburgh through the EPSRC Qunatic Project has been engaged with STMicroelectronics and even if these manufacturers would make their technology available, the effort of porting the original design database to another manufacturer's process would be prohibitive within the small resources of the research project, which builds on several years of continuous development in STMicroelectronics technology. If other manufacturers could or would make their technology available to UoE, there would be significant technical challenges in adapting to a new manufacturing process of the cameras. The time required to port our original design database to another manufacturer's process would be prohibitive within the small resources of our research project, which builds on 7 years of continuous development in STMicroelectronics technology through EPSRC Quantic Project (EP/T00097X/1). Thus, it would not be cost effective or feasible to proceed with an alternative manufacturer.

Procurement Information

This project aims to develop miniature cameras, that are as small as a 50 pence piece, and that can take videos at thousands of frames per second. The cameras being developed require a 3D stacked back-side illuminated SPAD array to obtain the sensitivity required to detect neural activity, combined with an advanced digital bottom tier for digital image processing so that the camera operates at the thousands of frames per second required to detect key brain events. Mass manufacturers as well as not deeming a sale commercially beneficial, do not make available their comparable manufacturing capabilities to academic groups working at the Universities' scale. Thus, STMicroelectronics is the only manufacturer that is both capable and willing to fabricate the sensors required to deliver the project goals.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000771544
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL509150
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products


CPV Codes

33000000 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£221,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Jul 20241 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
4 Jul 20241 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Contact Name
Hayley Bell
Contact Email
hayley.bell@ed.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1316502508

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH1 1HT
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM75 City of Edinburgh

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

STMICROELECTRONICS (R&D

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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