---
title: "X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) System"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-02efc3"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-02efc3"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02efc3.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02efc3.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY"
published: "2021-10-25"
---

# X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) System

Buyer: NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-02efc3

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## Summary

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has completed the procurement process for an X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) System, classified under the laboratory, optical, and precision equipment industry. This process was initiated as a tender, with the procurement method described as 'limited' since it involved an award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition. The contract, signed on 25 October 2021, has an active status and a total value of £540,000. The equipment will be delivered to NPL Management Ltd located at Hampton Road, Teddington, UK.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialised in advanced laboratory equipment and technologies, particularly those that can deliver complex systems integrating multiple functionalities. Companies with the capability to provide high-performance electron spectrometers or similar analytical instruments would find this procurement particularly relevant. As only one manufacturer, Kratos Ltd, could fulfil the NPL's specific requirements, there may be opportunities for collaboration or subcontracting for niche suppliers capable of complementing these technologies.

## Notice

XPS instrument with monochromated Al Ka and a monochromated higher energy (photon energy >2.5 keV) X-ray source with coincident sample illumination areas. Instrument must be capable of using an existing argon cluster ion source (Kratos minibeam 6), and capable of using an existing analytical SEM/SAM electron source, and automatic transfer and analysis of three or more sample holders in vacuum.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

A high-performance electron spectrometer system combining state of the art multi-Xray-source XPS functionality. Ability to automatically park, load and analyse multiple sample holders in vacuum. Motorised, data-system-integrated control of 5-axis sample manipulator allowing automated angle-resolved spectroscopy and rotation during etching. Multi-technique capability including Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), scanning Auger microscopy (SAM), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS) on a bakeable ultra-high-vacuum chamber. Data system for full system control and automated data acquisition.

### Procurement Information

Only one XPS instrument manufacturer, Kratos Ltd, is capable of providing an instrument with these key requirements essential to NPL: 1) Automatic transfer and analysis of three or more sample holders. 2) Spatially coincident Al Ka and a higher energy source (photon energy >2.5 keV) with automated motorised change-over between sources. 3) Incorporation of an existing NPL capital item, an argon cluster ion source, of the value of PS150,000 and has remaining lifetime of 10 years. 4) Incorporation of an existing NPL capital item, an analytical electron source, of the value of PS100,000 and also has at least 10 years life left.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026710-2021 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 25 Oct 2021 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 24 Oct 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 | £540,000 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY |
| Locality | TEDDINGTON |
| Post town | Twickenham |
| Postcode | TW11 0LW |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI7 Outer London - West and North West |
| ITL 3 | TLI75 Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames |
| Local authority | Richmond upon Thames |
| Electoral ward | Teddington |
| Westminster constituency | Twickenham |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | KRATOS ANALYTICAL |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 25 Oct 2021 at 21:45 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026710-2021

## Notice URLs

- http://www.npl.co.uk

## 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-02efc3. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02efc3.json.