---
title: "Dual growth chamber Molecular Beam Epitaxy System"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-aa7c84a7-c0b1-42ca-b3ab-791fbfa5b3d2"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-aa7c84a7-c0b1-42ca-b3ab-791fbfa5b3d2"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-aa7c84a7-c0b1-42ca-b3ab-791fbfa5b3d2.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-aa7c84a7-c0b1-42ca-b3ab-791fbfa5b3d2.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD"
published: "2024-11-13"
---

# Dual growth chamber Molecular Beam Epitaxy System

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-aa7c84a7-c0b1-42ca-b3ab-791fbfa5b3d2

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-aa7c84a7-c0b1-42ca-b3ab-791fbfa5b3d2)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-aa7c84a7-c0b1-42ca-b3ab-791fbfa5b3d2.json)

## Summary

The University of Sheffield's EPSRC National Epitaxy Facility is planning to enhance its capabilities by investing in a new Dual Growth Chamber Molecular Beam Epitaxy System, valued between £4,000,000 and £6,000,000. The procurement process is currently in the planning stage with the potential for the tender to be published in January 2025, assuming successful funding. Key dates include a market engagement period from 18th November to 6th December 2024, with meetings to be arranged by 29th November. The procurement is open to SMEs and VCSEs, focusing on the "Laboratory, optical and precision equipments" category, specifically in Yorkshire and the Humber, UK. The contract period is expected from 4th March to 30th April 2025.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specializing in advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Companies with expertise in molecular beam epitaxy systems, robust automation, and 24/7 reliable operations are well-suited to compete. The procurement process is open, offering a transparent opportunity for suppliers to engage through site visits or virtual meetings, providing a platform to showcase their capabilities and contribute to the expansion of the UK semiconductor sector. SMEs and VCSEs with innovative solutions and exemplary after-sales service will find this an attractive prospect to bolster their market presence.

## Notice

The EPSRC National Epitaxy Facility (NEF) based at the University of Sheffield has been providing bespoke semiconductor wafers to academia and industry for 45 years. It is a unique world-class centre combining technical excellence and expertise with state-of-the-art epitaxy and material characterization equipment. We are looking to further enhance our capability provision to the UK semiconductor community, by investing in a new linked dual-chamber Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) System for arsenides/phosphides and arsenides/antimonides growth that is fully automated, capable of 24/7 operation, reliable, and resource-efficient allowing further expansion in the future. NEF currently supplies epitaxy wafers to over 200 users across 28 UK Universities and industry to support UKRI grants worth over PS150M. Our performance is governed by Key Performance Indicators agreed with the EPSRC and include reactor downtime. Therefore, reliability of the system is a key factor, and exemplary after sales service, equipment monitoring tools, and back-up systems are essential. The System must comprise of: 1. Two vacuum-linked growth chambers with high capacity sources and high speed pumping arrangements suitable for the production of arsenide/phosphide and arsenide/antimonide materials of the highest purity 2. Dedicated sample preparation chamber for cleaning and oxide desorption using gas sources 3. A separate outgassing and surface analysis chamber with an Auger Electron Spectroscopy tool 4. Two sample entry locks, and two storage chambers 5. Robust automated transfer system connecting entry locks, surface preparation and analysis chambers, storage chambers, and growth chambers with space for further expansion. 6. Reliable automation and control software that allows for the two growth chambers to be operated independently. 7. Low temperature (down to cryogenic) metals deposition capability (either within one of the two arsenide growth chambers or separate), and should ideally fit in a 7.2m by 4.5m footprint (excluding peripheral equipment, such as electrical racks, cryopumps and compressors, PCs, etc.). It would be advantageous for the System to have the following additional capabilities: a. integrated vacuum suitcase technology compatible with other UK facilities to allow transport of samples under vacuum in and out of the system b. integrated solutions allowing maintenance of critical components without breaking chamber vacuum c. real-time data management suitable for machine learning and auto-correction of growth conditions. We will be looking for a System with: i. resource-efficient equipment, such as low liquid nitrogen consumption ii. exemplary after-sales service iii. advanced equipment monitoring and notification systems, such as power/water/vacuum loss robust back-up systems for essential supplies, such as power/water. Additional information: Market Engagement: We welcome site visits or virtual meetings from potential suppliers to discuss the System requirements during the period 18th November - 6th December 2024. Meetings and site visits must be arranged no later than 29th November. Subject to successful funding of the System, we expect the tender to be published in January 2025. Format: individual meetings, either on-site or virtual. Contact to arrange meetings: Dr Zofia Bishop by email: z.k.bishop@sheffield.ac.uk Address for site visits: Centre for Nanoscience and Technology, Broad Lane, Sheffield, S3 7HQ. Please note that the dates shown above in Section 1, are purely indicative at this stage & are very likely to change when we have confirmation of the funding situation

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/160b4b79-c765-4788-a8a3-5eaa53cbbcde |
| Notice type | Planned Procurement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Not specified |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 13 Nov 2024 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 31 Jan 2025 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 4 Mar 2025 - 30 Apr 2025 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £6,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planned |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD |
| Locality | SHEFFIELD |
| Post town | Sheffield |
| Postcode | S10 2TN |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber |
| ITL 2 | TLE3 South Yorkshire |
| ITL 3 | TLE32 Sheffield |
| Local authority | Sheffield |
| Electoral ward | Broomhill and Sharrow Vale |
| Westminster constituency | Sheffield Central |
| Delivery location | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 13 Nov 2024 at 14:58 - Planning - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/160b4b79-c765-4788-a8a3-5eaa53cbbcde

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/160b4b79-c765-4788-a8a3-5eaa53cbbcde
  13th November 2024 - Future opportunity notice on Contracts Finder

## 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-aa7c84a7-c0b1-42ca-b3ab-791fbfa5b3d2. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-aa7c84a7-c0b1-42ca-b3ab-791fbfa5b3d2.json.