---
title: "UKRI-2121 LISA Optical Bench Baseplate"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-034997"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-034997"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-034997.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-034997.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION"
published: "2022-06-23"
---

# UKRI-2121 LISA Optical Bench Baseplate

Buyer: UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-034997

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## Summary

The UK Research & Innovation is conducting a public procurement process for the LISA Optical Bench Baseplate, valued at £2,500,000, classified under the optical instruments industry. The procurement is currently at the Tender stage, with submissions due by 28th July 2022, following an open procedure. The procurement process relates to the development of technology for detecting gravitational waves, with contracts to be executed in the United Kingdom over a period of 3,240 days, enabling a structured implementation for various model stages.

This tender presents significant opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the optical and astronomical instruments sector. Businesses specialising in optical design, precision engineering, and high-strength materials manufacturing would be well-suited to compete for this contract. Engaging in this procurement could facilitate growth by providing access to advanced technological projects and government-backed research initiatives.

## Notice

The LISA concept for directly detecting the oscillating strain in spacetime caused by gravitational waves shares the scheme used in all laser interferometer-based gravitational wave detectors: The passage of the wave is detected by measuring the time-varying changes of optical pathlength between test masses isolated from all forces other than gravitational waves. The project draws on experience gleaned from the LISA Pathfinder (LPF) mission, a pioneering mission to test the LISA concept and demonstrate key concepts and technologies. A key technology to the LISA mission is performing interferometry with hydroxide catalysis bonded optics and this was demonstrated on LPF.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The optical bench will host the optical components that enable the LISA interferometers to function. Components will be mounted on both sides - as shown below - using a silicate bonding process proven on the LISA Pathfinder experiment. To ensure stability the Optical Bench Baseplate will be manufactured from Zerodur, acid etched to maximise strength and polished to allow the mounting process and to enable tight alignment tolerances to be met. The LISA Optical Bench will be produced at several model stages over a number of years, starting with a Structural Model and ending with Flight Models. Additional information: To respond to this opportunity please click here: https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/respond/9P5885Y52V

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017138-2022 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 23 Jun 2022 |
| Submission deadline | 28 Jul 2022 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £2,500,000 |
| Lots value | £2,500,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION |
| Locality | SWINDON |
| Post town | Swindon |
| Postcode | SN2 1FL |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire |
| ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon |
| Local authority | Swindon |
| Electoral ward | Rodbourne Cheney |
| Westminster constituency | Swindon North |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 38600000 - Optical instruments
- 38630000 - Astronomical and optical instruments

## Release History

- 23 Jun 2022 at 09:05 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017138-2022

## Notice URLs

- https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/
- https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/respond/9P5885Y52V
- https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Swindon:-Optical-instruments./9P5885Y52V
- https://www.ukri.org/
- https://www.ukri.org/,NorthStarAvenue

## 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-034997. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-034997.json.