---
title: "Dilution Fridge"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-7adde709-64c4-453b-a2b7-a56b7e86057f"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-7adde709-64c4-453b-a2b7-a56b7e86057f"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7adde709-64c4-453b-a2b7-a56b7e86057f.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7adde709-64c4-453b-a2b7-a56b7e86057f.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "DURHAM UNIVERSITY"
published: "2025-01-17"
---

# Dilution Fridge

Buyer: DURHAM UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-7adde709-64c4-453b-a2b7-a56b7e86057f

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-7adde709-64c4-453b-a2b7-a56b7e86057f)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7adde709-64c4-453b-a2b7-a56b7e86057f.json)

## Summary

Durham University, located in Durham, England, is seeking proposals for the procurement of a Dilution Fridge to be utilised by the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI) within the Department of Physics. This tender, identified as RFN00076, falls under the industry category "Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)" (CPV code 38000000). The tender process is currently at the 'Tender' stage, with the submission deadline set for 17 February 2025. The total budget for this procurement is £400,000 including VAT, and the contract period is slated to commence on 4 April 2025 and conclude on 3 April 2026. The tender follows an open procedure, allowing for wide participation and competition.

This procurement opportunity is particularly advantageous for businesses specialising in advanced scientific instrumentation, particularly those experienced in providing cryogenic equipment or related services. Companies with expertise in Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) and associated cryogenic systems, including those capable of scaling the number of microwave feedlines and integrating cryogenic low-noise amplifiers, would be well-suited to compete. By successfully winning this contract, businesses can leverage a high-profile project to enhance their portfolios, gain exposure within the academic research community, and cultivate a long-term relationship with a leading educational institution like Durham University. Though this opportunity is not specifically targeted towards SMEs or VCSEs, it remains a viable enterprise for any qualified vendor in the relevant field.

## Notice

The Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI) is a Research Section in the Department of Physics developing novel instrumentation for a range of scientific applications. The Superconducting Quantum Detectors Laboratory develops single photon counting detectors for a range of applications, focussing mainly on astronomy. The SQDL requires a Dilution Fridge to expand its work in the area of Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs). The fridge will house an array of MKIDs sensitive to visible and near-infrared light (0.4-1.8micrometers). Light from a source on an existing optical bench will be coupled to the array through windows on the side and bottom of the cryostat. The MKID array will be connected to a number of microwave feedlines (initially 7 to/from the array, but this could be expanded to 25 in the future). Each feedline will be connected to a cryogenic low-noise amplifier. The amplifier will be bough separately, but there should be mounting for the amplifier and sufficient DC wiring. The budget for this purchase is PS400,000 including VAT (currently 20%). The tender must be in UK pounds. To view all open tender negotiations including this one, follow this link: https://ehjb.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/fscmUI/faces/NegotiationAbstracts?prcBuId=300000003996095&_afrLoop=95342440739222388&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=1axe683war&_adf.ctrl-state=rie7esos8_1&_afrFS=16&_afrMT=screen&_afrMFW=1488&_afrMFH=750&_afrMFDW=1536&_afrMFDH=864&_afrMFC=8&_afrMFCI=0&_afrMFM=0&_afrMFR=120&_afrMFG=0&_afrMFS=0&_afrMFO=0

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4de2b848-7838-4d20-8011-65244302c2bc |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 17 Jan 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 17 Feb 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 3 Apr 2025 - 3 Apr 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £400,000 |
| 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 | DURHAM UNIVERSITY |
| Locality | DURHAM |
| Post town | Durham |
| Postcode | DH1 3LE |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC41 Durham |
| Local authority | County Durham |
| Electoral ward | Durham South |
| Westminster constituency | City of Durham |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 17 Jan 2025 at 14:02 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4de2b848-7838-4d20-8011-65244302c2bc

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4de2b848-7838-4d20-8011-65244302c2bc
  17th January 2025 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/8bd1a9b9-2be4-409f-9d2f-8cae9ea34196
  Guidance for suppliers in registering with Durham University for this opportunity.
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/dd52fb7f-cff8-41b2-aa4d-c71c896769b8
  Guidance on how to view Durham University published contracts and associated documents.
- https://ehjb.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/fscmUI/faces/NegotiationAbstracts?prcBuId=300000003996095&_afrLoop=95342440739222388&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=1axe683war&_adf.ctrl-state=rie7esos8_1&_afrFS=16&_afrMT=screen&_afrMFW=1488&_afrMFH=750&_afrMFDW=1536&_afrMFDH=864&_afrMFC=8&_afrMFCI=0&_afrMFM=0&_afrMFR=120&_afrMFG=0&_afrMFS=0&_afrMFO=0
  To view the published negotiation and tender documents follow the link included above.

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-7adde709-64c4-453b-a2b7-a56b7e86057f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7adde709-64c4-453b-a2b7-a56b7e86057f.json.