---
title: "Purchase of Closed-Cycle Helium Cryogenic System"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-060d16"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-060d16"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060d16.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060d16.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY"
published: "2026-04-29"
---

# Purchase of Closed-Cycle Helium Cryogenic System

Buyer: HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-060d16

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## Summary

The procurement process initiated by Heriot-Watt University for a closed-cycle helium cryogenic system was conducted using an open procedure and has recently completed its award stage. The tender aimed to acquire laboratory, optical, and precision equipment, specifically for quantum optics experiments at the university's Riccarton Campus in Edinburgh. It was open to bids from 23rd January to 23rd February 2026, attracting seven bids in total, with all submissions made electronically. The successful contract was awarded to attocube systems AG on 27th April 2026, valued at £165,173.62, under the auspices of the European Union as a funder. Heriot-Watt University was the buyer, a public body engaged in education and located in Edinburgh.

This tender presented significant opportunities for growth, especially for businesses involved in supplying precision laboratory equipment and technologies relevant to quantum-optics. Companies like attocube systems AG, which specialise in cryogenic systems, stand to benefit immensely from this contract. Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in optomechanics and semiconductor chip technologies were well-suited to bid, given the technical nature of the project and requirements for high-quality equipment. The project's scope also offered potential for innovative solutions in cooling systems necessary for advanced quantum technology experiments, enhancing the business prospects for entities with these capabilities.

## Notice

The University is seeking a contractor to supply, deliver and install a closed-cycle helium cryogenic system for quantum-optics experiments,

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The University is seeking a contractor to supply, deliver and install a closed-cycle helium cryogenic system for quantum-optics experiments capable of cooling small semiconductor chips to a temperature of 4K, which are mounted with on-chip optical and electrical connections. The chips should be optically addressable using a low working distance objective. The system will be used for a range of experiments in quantum optics and quantum technologies, with particular focus on characterising devices in silicon carbide where solid-state defect spins are coupled to optomechanical microcavities. The system will be situated in an optics lab at the University's Edinburgh campus

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038915-2026 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 29 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 23 Feb 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 26 Apr 2026 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £220,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £165,173 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY |
| Additional buyers | EUROPEAN UNION |
| Locality | RICCARTON, EDINBURGH |
| Post town | Edinburgh |
| Postcode | EH14 4AP |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM13 City of Edinburgh |
| Local authority | City of Edinburgh |
| Electoral ward | Pentland Hills |
| Westminster constituency | Edinburgh South West |
| Delivery location | TLM75 City of Edinburgh |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ATTOCUBE SYSTEMS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting
- 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

### Codes

- 31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

## Release History

- 29 Apr 2026 at 07:53 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038915-2026
- 23 Jan 2026 at 11:01 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006090-2026

## Notice URLs

- http://hw.ac.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000821492
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00307
- https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html

## 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-060d16. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060d16.json.