---
title: "4398/JN/24 - Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detection System"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-cbbc36cb-855f-4420-990b-fc6dac08c1f3"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-cbbc36cb-855f-4420-990b-fc6dac08c1f3"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-cbbc36cb-855f-4420-990b-fc6dac08c1f3.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-cbbc36cb-855f-4420-990b-fc6dac08c1f3.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD"
published: "2025-04-02"
---

# 4398/JN/24 - Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detection System

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-cbbc36cb-855f-4420-990b-fc6dac08c1f3

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## Summary

The University of Sheffield recently awarded a contract for a highly sensitive superconducting nanowire single photon detection (SNSPD) system to ID Quantique SA. The procurement process aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the EPSRC National Epitaxy Facility (NEF) in the field of quantum optics. This project, classified under the industry category "Detection and analysis apparatus" (CPV: 38430000), was conducted through an open procedure. The initial tender was published on 10th January 2025, with a tender period ending on 27th January 2025. Key deadlines included the contract period starting on 27th February 2025 and ending on 28th February 2025. The tender took place in Yorkshire and the Humber, United Kingdom, and the contract value was £140,000 GBP.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs), to engage with high-value technological contracts. Companies specializing in semiconductor materials, quantum optics, and detection technology will find this procurement particularly beneficial. By participating in such tenders, businesses can expand their market footprint, gain academic institution clients, and be part of cutting-edge research and development projects. The University of Sheffield’s open and competitive tendering process ensures transparency and equal opportunities for capable suppliers to contribute innovatively to the institution's advanced research needs.

## Notice

The EPSRC National Epitaxy Facility (NEF) at the University of Sheffield supplies a wide range of III-V semiconductor materials and devices primarily to the UK academic research community. The NEF also engages in significant activity researching and developing new materials and structures. A key area of activity is quantum optics and, in particular, the development of high quality single photon sources based on quantum dots. In order to carry out effective characterisation of these devices The NEF is looking to acquire a highly sensitive superconducting nanowire single photon detection (SNSPD) system capable of measuring very low light signals in the NIR band. At least 2 detection channels optimised at 1550nm are required for correlation measurements. Additional detection channels at both shorter and longer wavelengths are also required. This is an open exercise. The ITT can be downloaded by registering and expressing your interest on the University's e-tendering system https://in-tendhost.co.uk/sheffield If you have any questions or comments in relation to this tender they must be submitted via the In-tend system, this can be accessed at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/sheffield Completed tenders must be returned through the same e-tendering system. The University of Sheffield is not a contracting authority for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU) as amended by the Public Procurement (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020. The University reserves the right from time to time to voluntarily operate under the Public Contract Regulations (as defined above) on a case by case basis. Otherwise, advertisement of any contract in Find a Tender Service or Contracts Finder is at the sole discretion of the University and is undertaken on a voluntary basis with no implied obligation to comply with the procurement legislation. For the avoidance of doubt, this procurement is voluntarily operating under the Public Contract Regulations (as defined above).

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/704f17d4-4e75-48c9-8327-b0cdfe5e2239 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 2 Apr 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 27 Jan 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 25 Mar 2025 |
| Contract period | 27 Mar 2025 - 28 Mar 2025 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £140,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £140,157 |
| 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 | 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 |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ID QUANTIQUE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 38430000 - Detection and analysis apparatus

## Release History

- 2 Apr 2025 at 08:22 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/704f17d4-4e75-48c9-8327-b0cdfe5e2239
- 10 Jan 2025 at 16:31 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/91e64c58-e022-403e-a3a5-1510024bbfa5

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/704f17d4-4e75-48c9-8327-b0cdfe5e2239
  2nd April 2025 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/91e64c58-e022-403e-a3a5-1510024bbfa5
  10th January 2025 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder
- https://in-tendhost.co.uk/sheffield
  All tender documents can be accessed at

## Provenance

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