---
title: "Habitable Worlds Observatory Detector"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06e87e"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06e87e"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e87e.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e87e.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE OPEN UNIVERSITY"
published: "2026-08-20"
---

# Habitable Worlds Observatory Detector

Buyer: THE OPEN UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06e87e

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## Summary

The Open University is procuring bespoke CIS300-series UVIS detectors and associated space-qualification test equipment for the Habitable Worlds Observatory, a NASA-led mission supported by UK Space Agency research funding. The requirement covers qualification testing of detectors, including back-thinning of CIS303-33 and CIS303-66 wafers, Invar and silicon-carbide packaging, a back-thinning report, CIS300 test equipment, a Te2v CEB, interconnect and flex-rigid PCBs, and an FPGA update. The work supports space and radiation-effect testing and continuation of detector development originally undertaken for the Canadian CASTOR mission. The buyer is The Open University, based in Milton Keynes. The equipment and technical work are for the University’s research activity and the wider HWO mission.

This completed procurement used a direct award. The University selected Teledyne UK Limited because the requirement concerns prototype and development work, and the specific detector technology and continuation of existing testing mean that only this supplier can provide the required goods and services. The award date was 20 August 2026. Stage 1 runs from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027, with an awarded value of £585,000 excluding VAT (£702,000 including VAT). The award provides for renewal or extension to 31 March 2030. A provisional Stage 2 is planned from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030, with an estimated value of £1,902,000 including VAT, subject to funding and successful completion of Stage 1. There is one completed lot.

This requirement is relevant to suppliers with specialist capability in bespoke ultraviolet imaging detectors, semiconductor wafer back-thinning, surface preparation, packaging and precision testing for space applications. Credible competitors for a future requirement would need experience with detector qualification, radiation-effect testing and the manufacture or modification of novel scientific hardware, together with the ability to supply compatible test equipment and supporting electronics. The specification also indicates a need for Invar and silicon-carbide packages, interconnect and flex-rigid printed circuit boards, configurable FPGA work and clear technical reporting. The selected supplier is a large specialist manufacturer, so competitors would need sufficient engineering capacity, controlled production and testing facilities, and experience continuing an established detector development programme rather than delivering a standard catalogue product.

## Notice

Habitable Worlds Observatory Detector. Qualification testing of bespoke CIS300 series UVIS detectors. This work is being performed under the remit of a UK Space Agency (UKSA) research grant, with costs for the procurement of this equipment specifically stated within the UKRI offer letter. This phase of work being performed by the OU is taking place in the broader context of a NASA led mission (HWO). The critical success factors for this phase of the activity are completion/delivery of the following items by 31/02/2027: CIS303-33: o Part thinning (to pre-AR coat) of 6 off wafers. Each wafer has 4 (unyielded) devices on it. o 8 Invar PCB packages * CIS303-66 o Part thinning (to pre-AR coat) of 4 off wafers. Each wafer has 1 (unyielded) device on it. o 4 Silicon Carbide Packages. * Back-thinning report * CIS300 test equipment o latest build standard of the Te2v CEB. o Interconnect board. o Flex rigid PCB. * FPGA update o As the requirements for this update are unknown a nominal number has been assumed, once the requirements are confirmed this cost may increase or reduce. Phase 2 would follow on to 31/03/2030, if required.

### Procurement Information

Prototypes and development The public contract concerns the production of a prototype, or supply of other novel goods or services, for the purpose of-- (a) testing the suitability of the goods or services, (c) other research, experiment, study or development. Single suppliers 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. The Open University (OU) has been awarded research grant funding via the UK Space Agency (UKSA) for the NASA Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) mission. For this, bespoke CIS300 series UVIS detectors from Teledyne e2v Ltd need to be procured along with associated test equipment for space qualification and radiation effect testing. These specific detectors were initially procured as part of an earlier phase of work for the Canadian Space Agency's Cosmological Advanced Survey Telescope for Optical and UV Research (CASTOR) mission. The work of the current and future planned phases for the HWO mission is a continuation of the work initially completed for the Canadian CASTOR mission which was testing the same technology. The OU's continued inclusion in the HWO mission was subject to funding awarded by the UKSA and they have agreed to increase funding (FY26-27) for the OU to procure more Teledyne-e2v CIS300 detectors and test equipment for the mission. The funding agency's request is specifically for the OU to continue the testing of this specific detector. As this is a continuation of work already being undertaken and it is specific equipment, it is not possible to procure the necessary items from any supplier other than Teledyne e2v Ltd. The project is split into two stages. Stage 1 is for existing detectors to be back thinned and made ready for packaging, and testing for future space missions, specifically HWO. It is planned for 01/09/2026 - 31/03/2027 with a value of PS702,000 including VAT and is confirmed. Stage 2 would be a larger project to use the outcome of the testing from stage 1 to make changes to the design of the detectors. Following this, the newly designed detectors would be manufactured, back thinned, surface coated and packaged. It is provisionally planned for 01/04/2027 - 31/03/2030 with an estimated value of PS1,902,000 including VAT and is subject to funding and the successful completion of stage 1.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079422-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award 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 | 20 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 20 Aug 2026 |
| Contract period | 1 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £585,000 |
| 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 | THE OPEN UNIVERSITY |
| Locality | MILTON KEYNES |
| Postcode area | 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 | Teledyne UK Limited |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 20 Aug 2026 at 12:39 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079422-2026
- 20 Aug 2026 at 12:22 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079409-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079422-2026
  20th August 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079409-2026
  20th August 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- 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-06e87e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e87e.json.