Official UK procurement notice
Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector Arrays
Authority: Heriot-Watt University (Education)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe 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”.
CPV: Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedProcedure terms & legal framework
From the official record · publisher note attached- Procedure method
- Negotiated without publication of a contract notice
- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Goods
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 31 Mar 2021, 13:16 BST
- Last source update
- 31 Mar 2021, 13:16 BST
- Authority reference
HWU/2001- FTS notice number
2021/S 000-006659- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-02a174Find a Tender
- Why no open competition
The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator due to absence of competition for technical reasons
- Published justification
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.
Publisher note: The University is entering into a voluntary 10 day standstill commencing 1 April 2021. NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=649158. (SC Ref:649158)
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photon Spot, Inc.SME | US$420,000 † | — | Awarded |
Contracts
Contract 006659-2021-HWU/2001-1 · Photon Spot, Inc.SME
- Signed
- 26 Mar 2021
- Value
- US$420,000
- Status
- active
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
2 public bodies on the noticeOther public bodies
- European UnionFunder
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- Edinburgh Sheriff CourtReview body
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- Photon Spot, Inc.Awarded supplier
Official documents & specifications
Official links; attachments are not copiedNo document links were published on the notice.