---
title: "Dilution Refrigerator for Cryogenic Characterisation of RF Hardware"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0685fe"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0685fe"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0685fe.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0685fe.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED"
published: "2026-04-20"
---

# Dilution Refrigerator for Cryogenic Characterisation of RF Hardware

Buyer: NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0685fe

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## Summary

NPL Management Limited, a public undertaking based at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, UK, is initiating preliminary market engagement to procure a "Dry" pulse tube cooled dilution refrigerator system. This system will be used for cryogenic characterisation of RF hardware and quantum circuits, aiming to expand its measurement capabilities. The procurement is currently in the planning stage with a focus on understanding market interest prior to formal tendering. Business users who are suitably qualified are invited to express interest in this engagement by 30th April 2026, though it does not guarantee participation in subsequent tendering rounds. The procurement classification includes goods related to electrical machinery and laboratory equipment, expecting delivery within the UK.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in laboratory and industrial machinery, particularly those with capabilities in cryogenic and quantum technologies. SMEs are encouraged to compete, potentially offering growth and expansion paths through access to a contract valued at GBP 500,000. Eligible suppliers capable of providing high-frequency RF measurements and cryogenic solutions are prime candidates to benefit from this procurement. Engaging in this process not only opens new business avenues but also provides exposure to innovative technological requirements that might be leveraged for future ventures.

## Notice

NPL is seeking engagement from suppliers who can provide "Dry" pulse tube cooled dilution refrigerator system to be used for characterisation of quantum hardware including RF and quantum circuits with sample volume under vacuum. The system should include thermometry and associated wiring and readout electronics with provision to integrate additional temperature sensors in future for comprehensive diagnostics. The purpose is to complement our existing measurement systems and add measurement capability, for characterisation of quantum and RF hardware with high throughput and faster cooldowns repeated typically every 2 weeks. The dilution refrigerator needs to be suitable for RF measurements of complex quantum circuits and hardware, meaning it must be equipped with 20+ coaxial lines with provision to further increase the number of coaxial lines in the future. These lines must include high attenuation input lines suitable for use with sensitive quantum devices such as superconducting qubits and parametric amplifiers and low-loss output coaxial lines suitable for use with low-noise amplifiers, isolators and parametric amplifiers. Some of these coaxial lines must operate up to 40 GHz with provision to integrate even higher frequency RF cabling in the future. There should be sufficient number of DC lines with sufficient reconfigurability to enable biasing of at least tens of RF multi-way switches, at least four low noise amplifiers and few dedicated high resistance and low resistance DC looms for devices under test with provision to integrate more DC looms in the future. The asset must enable the characterisation of quantum and cryogenic RF hardware based on the following: 1) Base temperature of less than or equal to 10 mK with access to PT2 and other intermediate stages for testing components at intermediate temperatures. 2) Mixing chamber plate diameter of at least 500 mm and vertical experimental sample space below the mixing chamber with a height of at least 400 mm accessible for custom experimental apparatus 3) We do NOT require a magnet. This is not an evaluation exercise and nothing in this activity will limit the opportunity to engage in any follow on ITT.

### Planning Information

Prior to initiating the procurement, NPL wishes to establish the level of market interest in the forthcoming procurement process.
Suitably qualified and experienced suppliers who may have an interest in this project are invited to register for this Preliminary Market Engagement.
The purpose of the market engagement is to help assess the reaction of the market, to understand risks and future possibilities to ensure a future proofed procurement strategy and resulting contract.
Any submission received in response to this exercise will not constitute any contractual agreement between the respondent and NPL. Nor does the receipt of a response automatically include the respondent in the procurement process.
A Tender Notice will be issued to the market which will provide details of how the relating procurement documentation can be accessed and timescales for submission of the said tender response.
Interested parties shall bear their own costs of participation in this Market Engagement of whatever nature. NPL shall not be liable for the costs, expenses or losses howsoever arising (including, without limitation, any loss of profit or other economic loss incurred), regardless of the outcome of the Market Engagement.
The next stage in the process will be considered once this exercise has been completed.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035497-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 20 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 30 Apr 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 27 Sep 2026 - 27 Sep 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £500,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED |
| Locality | TEDDINGTON |
| Post town | Twickenham |
| Postcode | TW11 0LW |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI7 Outer London - West and North West |
| ITL 3 | TLI75 Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames |
| Local authority | Richmond upon Thames |
| Electoral ward | Teddington |
| Westminster constituency | Twickenham |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 42000000 - Industrial machinery

## Release History

- 20 Apr 2026 at 09:43 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035497-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035497-2026
  20th April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.npl.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-0685fe. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0685fe.json.