---
title: "Step-change improvements in sensitivity and scan speed"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0495a6"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0495a6"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0495a6.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0495a6.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED"
published: "2024-08-27"
---

# Step-change improvements in sensitivity and scan speed

Buyer: NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0495a6

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## Summary

The National Nuclear Laboratory Limited (NNL), located in Warrington, UK, has completed the award stage of a procurement process aimed at step-change improvements in sensitivity and scan speed, with a notable focus on research and experimental development services. This tender, part of the Gamechangers Innovation Programme, is valued at £432,836 and has been awarded to Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd, based in Glasgow. The project involves developing hydromap technologies to detect hydrogen molecules with great precision. Initial feasibility funding was completed in August 2024, leading to the current award for further development.

This tender presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses engaged in advanced research and experimental development, particularly those specialising in sensor technology, single-photon detection, and hydrogen-related innovations. Companies of all sizes are encouraged to engage with similar innovation programmes and challenges. The Gamechangers Innovation Programme is particularly suitable for SMEs looking to transition from feasibility to proof-of-concept phases, fostering ownership of intellectual property and advancing technology readiness levels in the nuclear industry.

## Notice

National Nuclear Laboratory ("NNL") intends to award a contract to Fraunhofer UK Research Limited who will further develop the Concept for Hydromap III - Step-change improvements in sensitivity and scan speed as part of the Gamechangers Innovation Programme.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The aim of this proof of concept project is to exploit a unique property of Hydrogen, in combination with the recent emergence of high performance single-photon detectors, to realise a device that will be able to detect this elusive molecule with unprecedented concentration and spatial accuracy over extended stand-off ranges.

Options: Should additional funding become available to further develop this scope of work then the potential to extend is available.

### Procurement Information

National Nuclear Laboratory ("NNL") intends to award a contract to Sensor Driven who will further develop the concept for a Step-change improvements in sensitivity and scan speed as part of the Gamechangers Innovation Programme. Fraunhofer UK Research Limited has been developing the Hydropmap III and were selected through a response to a Gamechangers Challenge Statement which sought applications for feasibility funding. The aim of this proof-of-concept project is to exploit a unique property of Hydrogen, in combination with the recent emergence of high performance single-photon detectors, to realise a device that will be able to detect this elusive molecule with unprecedented concentration and spatial accuracy over extended stand-off ranges. Following all supplier applications for feasibility funding for the above project, Fraunhofer UK Research Limited was selected as a successful supplier by the funders (Sellafield Ltd). An initial PS5,000.00 of feasibility funding was provided, which supported Fraunhofer UK Research Limited to: * Create a Business Case * Generate of a Project Plan * Identify milestones and funding requirements The output of this feasibility study was then further evaluated by Sellafield Ltd and Fraunhofer UK Research Limited have been selected for additional funding for the Proof-of-Concept phase of this project, which will enable them to further develop this concept and technology further. This additional funding to support technology development is due to be awarded following the expiry of this VEAT notice. Gamechangers is an innovation programme which finds solutions for complex nuclear industry challenges and allows the supplier to retain ownership of the Intellectual Property throughout the advancement of technology readiness level. They accept applications and work with all sizes and across all sectors to identify and develop the most promising of technology. Suppliers who have an idea which might be of interest, please follow the below link to the Gamechangers Technology challenge website for further information or to explore Challenges that may be of interest. https://www.gamechangers.technology/

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027281-2024 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| 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 | 27 Aug 2024 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 15 Aug 2024 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £432,836 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED |
| Locality | WARRINGTON |
| Post town | Warrington |
| Postcode | WA3 6AE |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD6 Cheshire |
| ITL 3 | TLD61 Warrington |
| Local authority | Warrington |
| Electoral ward | Birchwood |
| Westminster constituency | Warrington North |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | FRAUNHOFER UK RESEARCH |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73100000 - Research and experimental development services

## Release History

- 27 Aug 2024 at 12:41 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027281-2024

## Notice URLs

- https://www.gamechangers.technology/
- https://www.nnl.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-0495a6. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0495a6.json.