---
title: "Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector Arrays"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000649158"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000649158"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000649158.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000649158.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY"
published: "2021-03-31"
---

# Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector Arrays

Buyer: HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000649158

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## Summary

The procurement process is being conducted by Heriot-Watt University for the contract titled "Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector Arrays." This project falls within the education sector and is located in Riccarton, Edinburgh, UK. The procurement method employed is a limited award procedure, allowing the University to contract without prior competition due to technical reasons. The contract was signed on 26 March 2021 and involves the delivery of a 64-pixel photon detector array required for an European Research Council grant project. A voluntary standstill period commenced on 1 April 2021.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in advanced photonics and sensor technology, particularly those that can provide highly technical solutions in superconducting nanowire detectors. Firms with expertise in cryogenic systems and collaborations with research institutions would be particularly well-suited to engage in such specialised procurements. The specific nature of this contract suggests a niche market with limited competition, making it an attractive prospect for innovative small to medium enterprises focused on emerging technologies.

## Notice

The University requires a 64-pixel superconducting nanowire single photon detector array operating at 1550nm housed in a custom, pulse-tube cryocooler with free-space access, and vacuum and remote control package. This is for the European Research Council (ERC) grant "PIQUaNT: Photonics for High-Dimensional Quantum Networking".

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The University requires a 64-pixel superconducting nanowire single photon detector array operating at 1550nm housed in a custom, pulse-tube cryocooler with free-space access, and vacuum and remote control package. Detector design and manufacturing will be subcontracted to the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). System integration & electronics interfacing shall be performed by Photon Spot.

### Procurement Information

Under Regulations 2015 33(1)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, a contracting authority may award a contract without competition based on the following justification: (ii) competition is absent for technical reasons Superconducting nanowire single photon detector arrays are currently not commercially available and have only been the subject of very recent research studies carried out by the subcontractors (JPL) involved. This in contrast with single superconducting nanowire detectors that are commercially available from a few providers on the market. This is related to several technical reasons such as the device architecture involved, array fabrication, free-space access, device testing capabilities, etc. As such, competition for the equipment being ordered is absent for technical reasons.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR410845 |
| Notice type | OJEU - F15 - Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 31 Mar 2021 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 26 Mar 2021 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £420,000 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY |
| 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 | PHOTON SPOT |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 31 Mar 2021 at 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F15 - Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR410845

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR410845
  Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector Arrays - The University requires a 64-pixel superconducting nanowire single photon detector array operating at 1550nm housed in a custom, pulse-tube cryocooler with free-space access, and vacuum and remote control package. This is for the European Research Council (ERC) grant "PIQUaNT: Photonics for High-Dimensional Quantum Networking".

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://hw.ac.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000649158
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=649158

## 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-r6ebe6-0000649158. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000649158.json.