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Purchase of Closed-Cycle Helium Cryogenic System

Heriot-Watt University

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

29 Apr 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

23 Jan 2026 at 00:00

OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Heriot-Watt University, located in Riccarton, Edinburgh, has awarded a contract valued at £165,173.62 for the supply, delivery, and installation of a closed-cycle helium cryogenic system for quantum-optics experiments. This procurement is classified under the industry category of education and falls within the procurement of goods using an open procedure. The award, signed on 27th April 2026, marks the conclusion of the procurement process following a tender initiated earlier in the year, with the procurement stage now completed. The cryogenic system will be installed at the university's Edinburgh campus, enhancing their research capabilities in quantum optics and technologies.

This tender provides significant business growth opportunities for suppliers operating within the scientific research and technological equipment sector. SMEs, like attocube systems AG, which successfully secured the contract, are particularly well-suited to provide innovative solutions tailored to precise scientific requirements. The open procurement method, along with technical and commercial evaluation criteria, encourages competitive bids from firms capable of supplying advanced cryogenic systems that facilitate pioneering quantum-optics research. Businesses with expertise in delivering high-quality, optomechanical equipment, capable of addressing semiconductor chips optically and electrically, are ideally positioned to compete in similar tenders in the future, fostering expansion and innovation within their operations.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Purchase of Closed-Cycle Helium Cryogenic System

Notice Description

The University is seeking a contractor to supply, deliver and install a closed-cycle helium cryogenic system for quantum-optics experiments,

Lot Information

Lot 1

The University is seeking a contractor to supply, deliver and install a closed-cycle helium cryogenic system for quantum-optics experiments capable of cooling small semiconductor chips to a temperature of 4K, which are mounted with on-chip optical and electrical connections. The chips should be optically addressable using a low working distance objective. The system will be used for a range of experiments in quantum optics and quantum technologies, with particular focus on characterising devices in silicon carbide where solid-state defect spins are coupled to optomechanical microcavities. The system will be situated in an optics lab at the University's Edinburgh campus

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000821492
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR554796
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

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

CPV Codes

31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£220,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£165,173 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Apr 20264 months ago
Submission Deadline
23 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
27 Apr 20264 months 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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Heriot-Watt University
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
RICCARTON, EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH14 4AP
Postcode Area
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
Pentland Hills
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh South West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

attocube systems AG

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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