---
title: "Prototyping and testing work for the PRIMA project"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-066595"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066595"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066595.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066595.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "CARDIFF UNIVERSITY"
published: "2026-03-09"
---

# Prototyping and testing work for the PRIMA project

Buyer: CARDIFF UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-066595

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## Summary

This public procurement process, initiated by Cardiff University, centres on the prototyping and testing work for the PRIMA project. The University's focus is on research and development services, particularly involving a bespoke optical filter chain for PRIMA instrumentation. This project requires design, prototyping, manufacture, testing, and reporting, with optical, mechanical, cryogenic testing activities, and associated documentation included. The location for this procurement is Cardiff, within the region of UKL22 in the United Kingdom. The procurement process has reached the award stage, with the contract period set to commence on 23rd March 2026 and end on 31st March 2026. The tender was executed as a direct award to Celtic Terahertz Technology Limited, a supplier recognised for its exclusive expertise in the field, following technical requirements and the lack of reasonable alternative suppliers in this niche market.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses operating within the specialised field of research and development, particularly those with expertise in optical and cryogenic testing activities. Companies that provide highly specialised technical services, akin to Celtic Terahertz Technology Limited, can benefit from such contracts due to their ability to deliver a unique set of services that meet rigorous technical specifications. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with similar capabilities stand to gain from engaging in procurement opportunities that recognise and reward their niche expertise and technical mastery. This contract, valued at £412,314.00, underscores the growth potential for businesses that can leverage their specialist knowledge and facilities to secure prestigious university-led projects.

## Notice

Design, prototyping, manufacture, testing, and reporting associated with a bespoke optical filter chain for PRIMA instrumentation, including optical, mechanical and cryogenic testing activities and associated documentation.

### Procurement Information

The contract was awarded under Schedule 5, Regulation 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 on the basis that: - The services can only be supplied by a particular supplier due to technical reasons and exclusive expertise; and. - There are no reasonable alternative suppliers capable of meeting the requirement. The justification is based on the supplier's unique technical capability, specialist facilities, and long-established expertise within a globally limited and highly specialised research market.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021053-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 9 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 9 Mar 2026 |
| Contract period | 23 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £343,595 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | CARDIFF UNIVERSITY |
| Locality | CARDIFF |
| Post town | Cardiff |
| Postcode | CF24 4HQ |
| Country | Wales |
| ITL 1 | TLL Wales |
| ITL 2 | TLL5 South East Wales |
| ITL 3 | TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan |
| Local authority | Cardiff |
| Electoral ward | Cathays |
| Westminster constituency | Cardiff South and Penarth |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | CELTIC TERAHERTZ TECHNOLOGY |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

## Release History

- 9 Mar 2026 at 16:37 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021053-2026
- 9 Mar 2026 at 16:32 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021046-2026
- 9 Mar 2026 at 15:40 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021004-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021053-2026
  9th March 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021046-2026
  9th March 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021004-2026
  9th March 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/business/why-work-with-us/for-suppliers
- 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-066595. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066595.json.