---
title: "Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector Arrays"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-02a174"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-02a174"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02a174.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02a174.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY"
published: "2021-03-31"
---

# Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector Arrays

Buyer: HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-02a174

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## Summary

The procurement process for the acquisition of a 64-pixel superconducting nanowire single photon detector array is being conducted by Heriot-Watt University, located in Riccarton, Edinburgh. This tender, titled "Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector Arrays," falls under the goods category, specifically in the laboratory, optical, and precision equipment industry. The current stage of procurement is the Award phase, with a contract value of USD 420,000 signed on 26 March 2021. A 10-day voluntary standstill period is set to commence on 1 April 2021, following this contract award, as part of the regulations set forth by the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses engaged in advanced technology, particularly those specialising in precision equipment and photonic systems. Companies with the capability to design and manufacture superconducting nanowire single photon detectors, especially those with access to cutting-edge research facilities or those collaborating with research institutions, would find this contract particularly beneficial. The unique technical requirements outlined in the tender suggest a lack of competition, making it advantageous for businesses that meet these specific criteria to participate and potentially secure a contract with the European Research Council-funded project.

## Notice

The University requires a 64-pixel superconducting nanowire single photon detector array operating at 1550nm housed in a custom, pulse-tube cryocooler with free-space access, and vacuum and remote control package. This is for the European Research Council (ERC) grant "PIQUaNT: Photonics for High-Dimensional Quantum Networking".

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The University requires a 64-pixel superconducting nanowire single photon detector array operating at 1550nm housed in a custom, pulse-tube cryocooler with free-space access, and vacuum and remote control package. Detector design and manufacturing will be subcontracted to the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). System integration & electronics interfacing shall be performed by Photon Spot.

### Procurement Information

Under Regulations 2015 33(1)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, a contracting authority may award a contract without competition based on the following justification: (ii) competition is absent for technical reasons Superconducting nanowire single photon detector arrays are currently not commercially available and have only been the subject of very recent research studies carried out by the subcontractors (JPL) involved. This in contrast with single superconducting nanowire detectors that are commercially available from a few providers on the market. This is related to several technical reasons such as the device architecture involved, array fabrication, free-space access, device testing capabilities, etc. As such, competition for the equipment being ordered is absent for technical reasons.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006659-2021 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Negotiated without publication of a contract notice |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 31 Mar 2021 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 26 Mar 2021 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £420,000 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY |
| Additional buyers | EUROPEAN UNION |
| Locality | RICCARTON, EDINBURGH |
| Post town | Edinburgh |
| Postcode | EH14 4AP |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM13 City of Edinburgh |
| Local authority | City of Edinburgh |
| Electoral ward | Pentland Hills |
| Westminster constituency | Edinburgh South West |
| Delivery location | TLM75 City of Edinburgh |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | PHOTON SPOT |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 31 Mar 2021 at 12:16 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006659-2021

## Notice URLs

- http://hw.ac.uk
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=649158
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00307

## 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-h6vhtk-02a174. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02a174.json.