--- title: "TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION of a Vector Network Analyser System covering frequencies up to 1.1 THz" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-4826a68e-a9d3-4a4c-b0ae-ea3fb9d8bc89" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-4826a68e-a9d3-4a4c-b0ae-ea3fb9d8bc89" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-4826a68e-a9d3-4a4c-b0ae-ea3fb9d8bc89.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-4826a68e-a9d3-4a4c-b0ae-ea3fb9d8bc89.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM" published: "2017-07-18" --- # TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION of a Vector Network Analyser System covering frequencies up to 1.1 THz Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-4826a68e-a9d3-4a4c-b0ae-ea3fb9d8bc89 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-4826a68e-a9d3-4a4c-b0ae-ea3fb9d8bc89) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-4826a68e-a9d3-4a4c-b0ae-ea3fb9d8bc89.json) ## Summary The University of Birmingham is seeking tenders for the supply and installation of a Vector Network Analyser System capable of operating at frequencies up to 1.1 THz. This procurement falls within the laboratory, optical and precision equipment sector, with an estimated contract value ranging from £900,000 to £1,100,000. The tender period closes on 14 August 2017, and the contract is expected to commence on 14 October 2017, running until 14 November 2022. The location for delivery addresses includes the United Kingdom and other regions such as Europe and British Overseas Territories. This tender offers significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in precision measuring instruments and laboratory equipment. Companies that produce or supply technology related to microwave devices or vector network analysers would be particularly well-suited to participate. Additionally, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have the potential to compete effectively given the nature of this procurement, which encourages innovative solutions in the specified high-frequency measurement capabilities. ## Notice The University of Birmingham invites tenders for the supply of the following equipment: THz Vector Network Analyser System The system shall be capable of measuring, to a high degree of accuracy, the full two-port scattering parameters, (both magnitude and phase) of microwave devices in the frequency range 10 MHz to 1.1 THz. The system shall include a base vector network analyser system covering 10 MHz to a suitable upper frequency (Band 1). The base VNA shall be usable on its own via a coaxial interface to cover Band 1, and usable in conjunction with a series of frequency converter units covering the waveguide bands from 140 GHz to 1.1 THz. Any gap in coverage between the top end of Band 1 and the lower frequency limit of the waveguide band converters should be kept to a minimum. The frequency converter units, supplied in pairs to permit full two-port measurements, shall extend the frequency range over which full two-port measurements can be performed, to the following specific bands, and the measurement ports shall use the rectangular waveguide standards listed for each band: o Band 2. 140 - 220 GHz, WR-5.1 o Band 3. 220 - 330 GHz, WR-3.4 o Band 4. 325 - 500GHz, WR-2.2 o Band 5. 500 - 750GHz, WR-1.5 o Band 6. 750 -1100 GHz, WR-1.0 The frequency converter heads shall meet the following requirements: o Self-contained thermal management - no additional measures are needed to cool them. o Individually characterised by the manufacturer in terms of conversion efficiency and output power. A precision calibration kit shall be provided for each of the bands 1 to 6 The interface between the base VNA and the frequency converter units will be either built in to the base VNA or provided by a separate test set controller module, and shall provide the following: o Power to drive the frequency converters. o Sufficient length in the interface cables to allow at least 10 metres separation between two test ports, for antenna and propagation measurements. o Capability to set up the base VNA to measure devices up to 1.1 THz, controlling up to four converter heads simultaneously. o Switchable between VNA test ports and converter mode. The mm-wave modules and cables do not have to be removed to use the standard VNA from test ports for use in Band 1. o Capability for the VNA to operate as a spectrum analyser in all bands up to 1.1 THz. o Capability for different converter heads to be used on test port 1 and test port 2, or for one port to use the base VNA frequency while the other uses one of the frequency converters, to enable measurements to be performed on test devices with built in frequency conversion. The base VNA shall meet the following requirements: o A user friendly user interface o Sufficient storage capacity for calibration data to avoid the need for frequently repeated calibrations by multiple users. o Coverage from 10 MHz to a high upper frequency limit (Band 1), ... Additional information: The University of Birmingham invites tenders for the supply of the following equipment: THz Vector Network Analyser System The system shall be capable of measuring, to a high degree of accuracy, the full two-port scattering parameters, (both magnitude and phase) of microwave devices in the frequency range 10 MHz to 1.1 THz. The system shall include a base vector network analyser system covering 10 MHz to a suitable upper frequency (Band 1). The base VNA shall be usable on its own via a coaxial interface to cover Band 1, and usable in conjunction with a series of frequency converter units covering the waveguide bands from 140 GHz to 1.1 THz. Any gap in coverage between the top end of Band 1 and the lower frequency limit of the waveguide band converters should be kept to a minimum. The frequency converter units, supplied in pairs to permit full two-port measurements, shall extend the frequency range over which full two-port measurements can be performed, to the following specific bands, and the measurement ports shall use the rectangular waveguide standards listed for each band: o Band 2. 140 - 220 GHz, WR-5.1 o Band 3. 220 - 330 GHz, WR-3.4 o Band 4. 325 - 500GHz, WR-2.2 o Band 5. 500 - 750GHz, WR-1.5 o Band 6. 750 -1100 GHz, WR-1.0 The frequency converter heads shall meet the following requirements: o Self-contained thermal management - no additional measures are needed to cool them. o Individually characterised by the manufacturer in terms of conversion efficiency and output power. A precision calibration kit shall be provided for each of the bands 1 to 6 The interface between the base VNA and the frequency converter units will be either built in to the base VNA or provided by a separate test set controller module, and shall provide the following: o Power to drive the frequency converters. o Sufficient length in the interface cables to allow at least 10 metres separation between two test ports, for antenna and propagation measurements. o Capability to set up the base VNA to measure devices up to 1.1 THz, controlling up to four converter heads simultaneously. o Switchable between VNA test ports and converter mode. The mm-wave modules and cables do not have to be removed to use the standard VNA from test ports for use in Band 1. o Capability for the VNA to operate as a spectrum analyser in all bands up to 1.1 THz. o Capability for different converter heads to be used on test port 1 and test port 2, or for one port to use the base VNA frequency while the other uses one of the frequency converters, to enable measurements to be performed on test devices with built in frequency conversion. The base VNA shall meet the following requirements: o A user friendly user interface o Sufficient storage capacity for calibration data to avoid the need for frequently repeated calibrations by multiple users. o Coverage from 10 MHz to a high upper frequency limit (Band 1), to limit the gap in the overall frequency coverage of the system below 140 GHz. o Sufficient output power to drive the converter heads, even when using cables for antenna and propagation measurements over a range of up to 10 m. o System Dynamic range >110dB. Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : No ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/76444dee-224c-4f14-a65a-2d85c85e7559 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 18 Jul 2017 | | Submission deadline | 14 Aug 2017 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 13 Oct 2017 - 14 Nov 2022 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £1,100,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM | | Locality | EDGBASTON | | Post town | Birmingham | | Postcode | B15 2TT | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands | | ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham | | Local authority | Birmingham | | Electoral ward | Edgbaston | | Westminster constituency | Birmingham Edgbaston | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) ### Codes - 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) - 38300000 - Measuring instruments ## Release History - 18 Jul 2017 at 14:39 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/76444dee-224c-4f14-a65a-2d85c85e7559 - 14 Jul 2017 at 14:54 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/76444dee-224c-4f14-a65a-2d85c85e7559 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/76444dee-224c-4f14-a65a-2d85c85e7559 18th July 2017 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofbirmingham/aspx/ Additional information on how to apply for this contract ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. 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