---
title: "Contract for the Supply and Installation of a Full Octave Spanning Frequency Comb and Suite of Lasers for the University of Birmingham"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-a3443818-e69b-4cd0-b79e-f211fe21bc7b"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-a3443818-e69b-4cd0-b79e-f211fe21bc7b"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a3443818-e69b-4cd0-b79e-f211fe21bc7b.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a3443818-e69b-4cd0-b79e-f211fe21bc7b.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM"
published: "2021-01-07"
---

# Contract for the Supply and Installation of a Full Octave Spanning Frequency Comb and Suite of Lasers for the University of Birmingham

Buyer: THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-a3443818-e69b-4cd0-b79e-f211fe21bc7b

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## Summary

The University of Birmingham has recently completed a procurement process for the supply and installation of a full octave spanning frequency comb and suite of lasers under the tender ID SC8640/20. This procurement, classified under the goods category with a CPV code of 31712348, took place in Birmingham, England, with a total contract value of £399,990. The procurement was conducted through an open procedure above threshold, and the contract period commenced on 17 December 2020 and concluded on 18 June 2021. The tender period ended on 19 October 2020, making it crucial for participants to meet all specified schedules and requirements.

This contract presents significant opportunities for businesses in the laser technology sector, particularly those that specialise in the manufacturing and supply of advanced optical equipment. Companies capable of providing high-precision laser diodes and components should consider participating in future tenders similar to this one, as the University of Birmingham actively seeks innovative suppliers. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may find the landscape especially beneficial, given their noted suitability for supplying the required goods and services in this lucrative field.

## Notice

The University of Birmingham has contracted for the supply of full octave spanning frequency comb. The frequency comb provides inputs for 698-nm, 578-nm, 775-nm, and 1040-nm light. The comb offers a high absolute frequency stability as described below. The comb system is provided with a suite of lasers required for laser-cooling of ytterbium atoms. The overall system includes all necessary driving and locking electronics. Specification i. Frequency Comb 1) Fibre-based, plug-and-play, turnkey system enabling continuous, 24/7 operation. 2) Absolute frequency stability equal or better than 1e-16 in 1s and 3e-18 in 1,000s. 3) Comb can be stabilised to inputs of (a) 698 nm, (b) 578 nm, and (c) 775 nm, (d) 1040 nm. 4) Outputs at 1560 nm and at least one output at 10 MHz or 1 pps. 5) Driving and RF locking electronics 6) Control computer, preferable laptop, with English keyboard. 7) User software with remote access option for system control, data acquisition, and locking. 8) User training at installation site. ii. Laser sub-systems (output powers specified as free-space output powers) 9) 399 nm tunable laser together with associated locking electronics with an output in excess of 300 mW or two tunable lasers each with output in excess of 100 mW. 10) 556 nm tunable laser together with associated locking electronics with an output in excess of 200 mW or two tunable lasers each with output in excess of 60 mW. 11) 1388 nm tunable laser together with associated locking electronics with an output of 20 mW or more. iii. optional items 12) High-finesse wavemeter or equivalent with capability to lock all laser sub-systems and input laser sources not locked to the frequency comb. 13) 578 nm tunable laser together with associated locking electronics with an output of 20 mW or more. 14) 759 nm tunable laser together with associated locking electronics with an output of 2,000 mW or more. 15) 649 nm tunable laser together with associated locking electronics with an output of 20 mW or more. 16) 770 nm tunable laser together with associated locking electronics with an output of 20 mW or more.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ff9458de-f229-4509-b0ad-d030893f0514 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 7 Jan 2021 |
| Submission deadline | 19 Oct 2020 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 17 Dec 2020 |
| Contract period | 17 Dec 2020 - 18 Jun 2021 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £399,990 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £399,990 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM |
| Locality | BIRMINGHAM |
| 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 |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | TOPTICA PHOTONICS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting
- 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

### Codes

- 31712348 - Laser diodes
- 38636100 - Lasers

## Release History

- 7 Jan 2021 at 18:41 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ff9458de-f229-4509-b0ad-d030893f0514

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ff9458de-f229-4509-b0ad-d030893f0514
  7th January 2021 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Provenance

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