---
title: "Particle accelerator system for the production of standard neutron fields to replace existing Van de Graff accelerator"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-03acaf"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-03acaf"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-03acaf.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-03acaf.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY"
published: "2023-02-28"
---

# Particle accelerator system for the production of standard neutron fields to replace existing Van de Graff accelerator

Buyer: NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-03acaf

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## Summary

The National Physical Laboratory in the UK has completed a tender process to procure a particle accelerator system for the production of standard neutron fields. The system will accelerate protons and deuterons to energies between 200 keV and 4 MeV, producing a DC ion beam with a minimum current of 300 µA. This tender, awarded to Yelo Ltd., is governed by a limited procurement method without prior publication of a call for competition. The contract, worth £4,000,000, was signed on 28 February 2023 at NPL Management Ltd in Teddington.

This procurement presents opportunities for businesses interested in the laboratory, optical, and precision equipment industry. Companies well-suited to compete should have expertise in producing particle accelerators and related components. The awarded contract allows Yelo Ltd., a UK-based SME, to supply the required accelerator system. The proximity and regulatory alignment between the UK and the manufacturer of the accelerator, High Voltage Engineering, provide additional benefits for successful project delivery and ongoing collaboration.

## Notice

A particle accelerator capable of accelerating protons and deuterons to any energy between 200 keV and 4 MeV. The system will produce a DC ion beam with a maximum beam current of at least 300 uA. The system will include ion source(s), accelerator, beamlines, switching magnet, ion optics/monitoring and control systems. The system will interface with building utilities and safety systems. The accelerator will be used primarily for producing neutron standards, but also opens up options for charged particle irradiations for materials analysis and nuclear physics experiments.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The accelerator system will be capable of delivering accelerated ion beams to neutron producing targets (targets not included in procurement). The system will include: * 2 multicusp ions sources to produce protons, deuterons and helium ions * Pulser/buncher system to produce pulses approximately 2 ns wide at frequencies up to 4 MHz * 2 MV Tandetron accelerator to accelerate protons and deuterons from 200 keV to 4 MeV and helium ions up to 8 MeV * Switching/analysing magnet * 2 beamlines (approx. 14 m and 7 m long) with associated ion optics (electrostatic quadrupoles) and monitoring (faraday cups and profile monitors) * Computer control system and software The ion sources, pulser/buncher, accelerator and switching/analysing magnet will fit in the existing accelerator room (approx. 11 x 8.5 m) and the beamlines will extend into the neighbouring experimental area. The procurement will include transportation, on-site acceptance testing, training of personnel and equipment warranty.

### Procurement Information

The technological solution required by this project is an electrostatic accelerator and there is only 1 company globally that produce electrostatic accelerators with the required specifications, High Voltage Engineering (HVE). The unique features of the HVE solution are as follows: * The high voltage generation equipment is based on a Cockcroft-Walton generator and has no moving parts. This results in a highly stable terminal voltage and low electronic noise and voltage ripple. This results in a better beam energy resolution when compared to other similar accelerators. It also simplifies the machine operation, increases the machine reliability, dramatically reducing maintenance burden. * The accelerator is able to produce higher beam currents than similar machines. Higher beam current means the production of higher neutron fluences which are required for planned research and new measurement services. * The manufacturer is based in Europe and regulatory alignment to the UK is beneficial. Additional benefits, such as a proximity and similar time zone make the project and ongoing logistics easier (i.e. factory visits, future maintenance).

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005785-2023 |
| 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 | 28 Feb 2023 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 28 Feb 2023 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £4,000,000 |

## 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 | YELO |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 28 Feb 2023 at 11:03 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005785-2023

## Notice URLs

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

## Provenance

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