---
title: "Optical Vector Analyser & Optical Spectrum Analyser"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05456d"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05456d"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05456d.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05456d.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "ASTON UNIVERSITY"
published: "2025-06-24"
---

# Optical Vector Analyser & Optical Spectrum Analyser

Buyer: ASTON UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05456d

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05456d)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05456d.json)

## Summary

The contracting authority, Aston University, located in Birmingham, United Kingdom, has completed a procurement process to award contracts for the supply and installation of an Optical Vector Analyser and Optical Spectrum Analyser. The procurement falls under the Laboratory, optical and precision equipment category and is vital for advancing research in microphotonic devices. The procurement method was direct award, with Lambda Photometrics Limited designated as the sole supplier due to intellectual property and technical reasons, as per a certificate provided by the firm. The contracts, signed on 24th June 2025, are set to commence on 1st July 2025 and will continue until 30th June 2030.

This unique tender offers significant opportunities for businesses involved in high-precision optical equipment and photonic research, particularly those specialising in the provision of laboratory and precision instruments. Companies with expertise in optical buffers, delay lines, microwave photonic filters, and optical spectrum analysers are well-positioned to engage with Aston University and similar institutions. The procurement emphasises the need for highly accurate and speed-enhancing devices, presenting a lucrative niche for suppliers capable of delivering cutting-edge technology in optical vector characterisation and spectrum analysis.

## Notice

Supply & Installation of an Optical Vector Analyser & Optical Spectrum Analyser. The LUNA OVA 5100 is the only optical vector analyzer (OVA) that would be identified that is capable of acquiring the full Jones' matrix. This enables comprehensive characterisation of passive photonic devices, including polarisation, group delay, and phase, which are essential for optimising optical buffers, delay lines, frequency combs, and microwave photonic filters. No alternative system identified provides LUNA OVA 5100's level of accuracy and measurement speed for full vector characterisation, making it the only viable choice to support SNAP-based microresonator research and maintain Aston University's leadership in photonic device development and characterisation. A sole supplier certificate for the LUNA has been provided by Lambda Photometrics Limited regarding UK distribution. When evaluating high-resolution optical spectrum analysers (OSAs) suitable for our microphotonic device fabrication and sensing applications, The APEX OSA-AP6 provides 0.04 pm (5 MHz) resolution. This level of precision is critical for tuning and characterizing high-Q microresonators and optical frequency combs. APEX also features a higher close-in dynamic range than other options considered, which improves measurement accuracy when analysing closely spaced spectral components. The APEX OSA-AP6 has a sweep speed of up to 35 nm/s, making it significantly faster than other options considered, essential for real-time spectral analysis of fast-changing optical signals, particularly in optofluidic sensing and microwave photonics applications. The APEX OSA-AP6 uses a rectangular-shape resolution filter, which provides a more uniform spectral response, improving measurement stability for broadband and high-Q optical components. Since SNAP technology demands extremely precise spectral characterization, which lower-resolution devices cannot achieve, the APEX OSA-AP6 is the only viable option identified for advancing our research. With its improved measurement method and faster sweep speed, it ensures the sub-picometre precision, resolution, and functionality essential for SNAP microphotonic research. A sole supplier certificate for the APEX has been provided by Lambda Photometrics Limited regarding UK distribution.

### Procurement Information

Supply & Installation of an Optical Vector Analyser & Optical Spectrum Analyser. The LUNA OVA 5100 is the only optical vector analyzer (OVA) that would be identified that is capable of acquiring the full Jones' matrix. This enables comprehensive characterisation of passive photonic devices, including polarisation, group delay, and phase, which are essential for optimising optical buffers, delay lines, frequency combs, and microwave photonic filters. No alternative system identified provides LUNA OVA 5100's level of accuracy and measurement speed for full vector characterisation, making it the only viable choice to support SNAP-based microresonator research and maintain Aston University's leadership in photonic device development and characterisation. A sole supplier certificate for the LUNA has been provided by Lambda Photometrics Limited regarding UK distribution. When evaluating high-resolution optical spectrum analysers (OSAs) suitable for our microphotonic device fabrication and sensing applications, The APEX OSA-AP6 provides 0.04 pm (5 MHz) resolution. This level of precision is critical for tuning and characterizing high-Q microresonators and optical frequency combs. APEX also features a higher close-in dynamic range than other options considered, which improves measurement accuracy when analysing closely spaced spectral components. The APEX OSA-AP6 has a sweep speed of up to 35 nm/s, making it significantly faster than other options considered, essential for real-time spectral analysis of fast-changing optical signals, particularly in optofluidic sensing and microwave photonics applications. The APEX OSA-AP6 uses a rectangular-shape resolution filter, which provides a more uniform spectral response, improving measurement stability for broadband and high-Q optical components. Since SNAP technology demands extremely precise spectral characterization, which lower-resolution devices cannot achieve, the APEX OSA-AP6 is the only viable option identified for advancing our research. With its improved measurement method and faster sweep speed, it ensures the sub-picometre precision, resolution, and functionality essential for SNAP microphotonic research. A sole supplier certificate for the APEX has been provided by Lambda Photometrics Limited regarding UK distribution.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034593-2025 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 24 Jun 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 8 Jun 2025 |
| Contract period | 30 Jun 2025 - 30 Jun 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £337,257 |
| Contracts value | £337,257 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | ASTON UNIVERSITY |
| Locality | BIRMINGHAM |
| Post town | Birmingham |
| Postcode | B4 7ET |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands |
| ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham |
| Local authority | Birmingham |
| Electoral ward | Nechells |
| Westminster constituency | Birmingham Ladywood |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | LAMBDA PHOTOMETRICS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 24 Jun 2025 at 08:52 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034593-2025
- 9 Jun 2025 at 14:01 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030998-2025
- 9 Jun 2025 at 13:54 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030993-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034593-2025
  24th June 2025 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030998-2025
  9th June 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030993-2025
  9th June 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.lambdaphoto.co.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-05456d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05456d.json.