---
title: "Silicon Wafers for Test Chips"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-055960"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-055960"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055960.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055960.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE OPEN UNIVERSITY"
published: "2025-08-15"
---

# Silicon Wafers for Test Chips

Buyer: THE OPEN UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-055960

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-055960)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055960.json)

## Summary

The Open University in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, has completed the procurement process for a contract titled "Silicon Wafers for Test Chips." This contract, initiated as part of the Technology Development Element project associated with the European Space Agency, has a focus on laboratory, optical, and precision equipment. The procurement method was a direct award to X-FAB Sarawak Sdn. Bhd., a large supplier based in Malaysia. The procurement rationale was due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, making X-FAB the only feasible supplier. The contract was signed on 17 July 2025, with a duration extending from 18 July 2025 to 31 January 2026, and the possibility of extension up to 1 October 2029.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in high-precision semiconductor manufacturing and supply. Companies specialising in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) imaging detectors or those that can provide expertise in the characterisation and testing of such devices will find this project particularly beneficial. Moreover, given the specialised nature of the work and the rigorous certification requirements, businesses with a strong technical foundation and previous experience aligning with similar projects are well-suited to explore subcontracting or collaboration opportunities in future phases. The procurement also stresses the absence of viable alternatives, highlighting a niche area ripe for innovation and business growth.

## Notice

As part of the existing Technology Development Element (TDE) contract with the European Space Agency (ESA), the Open University (OU), in company with Teledyne-e2v, are required to procure and test three experimental test chips for characterisation and testing. Phase 1: To procure Silicon wafers for the manufacture of Front Side Illuminated (FSI) soft X-ray Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) imaging detectors to characterise their Electro Optical (EO) performance both pre and post irradiation. Phase 2: A potential second phase subject to funding to process any remaining Silicon wafers from the first phase for the manufacture of Back Side Illuminated (BSI) soft X-ray CMOS imaging detectors to characterise their EO performance both pre and post irradiation. Phase 3: A potential third phase subject to funding to procure Silicon wafers to manufacture another batch of either FSI or BSI soft X-ray CMOS imaging detectors for further characterisation of their EO performance both pre and post irradiation. Cost Phase 1: PS220,000 Phase 2: PS250,000 Phase 3: PS350,00 Total: PS820,000

### Procurement Information

The following conditions are met in relation to the public contract- a) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works. Teledyne-e2v have previously performed a competitor analysis and based on a comparison of price and technical performance, XFAB were selected as the preferred supplier for all their silicon chip products. As a result, Teledyne's CMOS imaging device design and manufacturing plans for this project have been developed to align with XFAB's design rules and processes. Consequently, in order to meet the requirements of the ESA agreement the OU must procure wafers from XFAB to ensure compatibility with Teledyne's design and manufacturing standards.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049225-2025 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 15 Aug 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 3 Jul 2025 |
| Contract period | 17 Jul 2025 - 31 Jan 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £220,000 |
| Contracts value | £220,000 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THE OPEN UNIVERSITY |
| Locality | MILTON KEYNES |
| Post town | Milton Keynes |
| Postcode | MK7 6AA |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLJ12 Milton Keynes |
| Local authority | Milton Keynes |
| Electoral ward | Monkston |
| Westminster constituency | Milton Keynes Central |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | X-FAB SARAWAK |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 15 Aug 2025 at 14:27 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049225-2025
- 4 Jul 2025 at 15:22 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037553-2025
- 4 Jul 2025 at 14:42 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037530-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049225-2025
  15th August 2025 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037553-2025
  4th July 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037530-2025
  4th July 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.xfab.com
- 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-055960. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055960.json.