---
title: "UKRI-6339 - Vulcan 20-20 front end seed femtosecond laser"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06efa6"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06efa6"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06efa6.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06efa6.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION"
published: "2026-09-01"
---

# UKRI-6339 - Vulcan 20-20 front end seed femtosecond laser

Buyer: UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06efa6

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06efa6)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06efa6.json)

## Summary

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) procured a Light Conversion PHAROS seed femtosecond laser for the Vulcan 20-20 front end. The requirement is for a light-conversion laser that can operate in master/slave configuration with UKRI’s existing PHAROS system, delivering the required performance and synchronisation. This is a specialist scientific and photonics equipment supply, classified under CPV 38636100 (lasers). The equipment is to be delivered in the United Kingdom. The procurement covers one completed lot and is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. It is relevant to laser manufacturers, photonics equipment suppliers and specialist scientific-technology businesses able to supply PHAROS-compatible femtosecond laser systems and support their integration with an existing installation.

The procurement has been completed following a direct award on single-supplier technical grounds. UKRI selected Photonics Solutions, an SME. The award was dated 1 September 2026 and has a net value of £303,625, or £364,350 including VAT. The awarded contract period runs from 14 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. The award is above the relevant threshold. There was one lot, covering the complete laser requirement, and the stated basis for the decision was the technical need for compatibility with the existing PHAROS system, including master/slave operation, performance and synchronisation. A contract signature milestone was scheduled for 14 September 2026, following a standstill period ending on 11 September 2026.

This award demonstrates UKRI demand for high-value, specialist femtosecond laser equipment supporting advanced scientific facilities. Suppliers most likely to compete credibly when this requirement returns will need deep expertise in ultrafast lasers, photonics integration and precision timing or synchronisation. Compatibility with installed PHAROS equipment is central, so a competing business would need to evidence interoperability with existing systems rather than offer a standalone laser only. Relevant capabilities include configuring master/slave operation, meeting demanding performance requirements and integrating equipment into a live research environment. A supplier should also be able to provide technically authoritative product assurance and implementation support for a specialist public-sector research customer. The direct-award route indicates that demonstrating unique technical capability or an equivalent compatible solution will be particularly important.

## Notice

Single source procurement of a light conversion PHAROS Laser from Photonic Solutions. The laser is required to operate as the master/slave configuration with the existing PHAROS system, providing the required performance and synchronisation for the Vulcan 20-20 front end.

### Procurement Information

Single source procurement of a light conversion PHAROS Laser from Photonic Solutions. The laser is required to operate as the master/slave configuration with the existing PHAROS system, providing the required performance and synchronisation for the Vulcan 20-20 front end.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082759-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 1 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 1 Sep 2026 |
| Contract period | 14 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £303,625 |
| 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 | UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION |
| Locality | SWINDON, WILTSHIRE |
| Postcode area | Swindon |
| Postcode | SN2 1FL |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire |
| ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon |
| Local authority | Swindon |
| Electoral ward | Rodbourne Cheney |
| Westminster constituency | Swindon North |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | Photonic Solutions Ltd |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 38636100 - Lasers

## Release History

- 1 Sep 2026 at 15:10 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082759-2026
- 1 Sep 2026 at 14:30 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082715-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082759-2026
  1st September 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082715-2026
  1st September 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://photonicsolutions.co.uk/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.ukri.org/

## 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-06efa6. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06efa6.json.