Official UK procurement notice
UKRI-5382 ZnS:Ag/6LiF Neutron Scintillator Screens
Authority: UK Research and Innovation (Central government)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe ISIS Neutron and Muon Source is a world-leading centre for research using neutrons and muons, supporting a broad scientific user community across disciplines such as materials science, physics, chemistry, and engineering. As part of its detector development programme, ISIS manufactures a range of in-house detectors, including wavelength-shifting fibre (WLSF) based scintillation detectors, which are critical for capturing and characterising neutron interactions with high spatial and temporal resolution.
A key component of these detectors is the neutron scintillator screen which is composed of a zinc sulphide silver activated phosphor and an enriched lithium-6 fluoride neutron-sensitive converter material. Following neutron capture in the converter, light is emitted from the phosphor subsequently collected by wavelength-shifting fibres and guided to photodetectors for signal processing. The quality, consistency and performance of the scintillator screen directly impact detection efficiency and effective gamma‑ray and background discrimination.
To support new detector builds, particularly for the HRPD-X, SANDALS II and WISH II instruments, a framework contract is required to ensure a reliable supply of high-performance ZnS:Ag/6LiF screens that meets the stringent technical and operational demands of ISIS instruments. These screens must be provided in different shapes, sizes and thicknesses to match the range of instrument beamline geometries and neutron fluxes encountered at ISIS. Some of the screens will be operated in vacuum and must be capable of maintaining performance within a vacuum environment for the lifetime of the detector, typically 15 years.
The purpose of this tender is to guarantee a steady supply of ZnS:Ag/6LiF neutron scintillator screens to cover the needs of the ISIS Endeavour Programme, a 10-year programme to upgrade the suite of ISIS instruments. It will ensure a consistent and reliable product is always being provided throughout the programme. It will help to reduce the need for generating repeat tendering and for storing large quantities of product on site until needed.
This contract is being awarded following a competitive open tender process.
CPV: Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1AwardedPublished value£1,760,000
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (2)
- Technical/Quality: 75%
- Price: 25%
Published award criteria (2)
- Technical/Quality
- Price
- Price carries 25 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 2.5 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Goods
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- 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
- 23 Dec 2025, 13:30 GMT
- Last source update
- 20 May 2026, 11:49 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 18 Feb 2026
- Authority reference
UKRI-5382- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-085842- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05fc90Find a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 17 Feb 2026, 14:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 4 Feb 2026, 14:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
To access this opportunity please click here: ukri2.my.salesforce-sites.com/ProSpend__CS_Contrac… ↗ Please note the following steps for accessing this opportunity via the Atamis eSourcing platform: 1. Log in or create an account here: ukri2.my.site.com ↗ 2. Navigate to the opportunity in the Find an Opportunity section of the site or via the direct access link above. 3. Select Register Interest (you will not be able to view the tender documentation without registering an interest). 4. Go back to the main menu and navigate to the My Proposals and Quotes section of the site. 5. Select the opportunity from the list. Tender Documents for download are found in the Documents tab.
Timeline
23 Dec 2025 → 20 May 2026 · 8 dates- Tender notice published309 days ago23 Dec 2025, 13:30 GMT
- Clarification questions by266 days ago4 Feb 2026, 14:00 GMT
- Submission deadline253 days ago17 Feb 2026, 14:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by251 days ago18 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Assessment summaries sent219 days ago23 Mar 2026
- Contract starts213 days ago30 Mar 2026, 00:00 BST
- Standstill ends210 days ago1 Apr 2026, 23:59 BST
- Latest notice published161 days ago20 May 2026, 11:49 BST
Notice history
7 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 23 Dec 2025- Tender notice published23 Dec 2025, 13:30 GMTUK4
- Tender notice published22 Jan 2026, 14:08 GMTUK4
- Deadline moved to 17 Feb 2026, 14:00 GMT22 Jan 2026, 14:08 GMT+14 days · was 3 Feb 2026, 14:00 GMT
- Contract award notice published23 Mar 2026, 16:41 GMTUK6
- Status changed to complete23 Mar 2026, 16:41 GMT
- Contract signature expected3 Apr 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract details notice published20 May 2026, 11:49 BSTUK7
Published amendments (1)
To extend the tender response deadline from 3rd February 2026 to 17th February 2026.
Routine re-releases (4)
- 2025-12: 1 release · 23 Dec 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scintacor Ltd6 Apr 2026 – 5 Apr 2030 | £1,760,000 | 19 Mar 2026 | Awarded |
Contracts
UKRI-5382 ZnS:Ag/6LiF Neutron Scintillator Screens · Scintacor Ltd
- Signed
- 21 Apr 2026
- Value
- £1,760,000
- Period
- 21 Apr 2026 – 20 Apr 2030
- Status
- active
No agreed KPIs: N/A
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1final-stage tenders | 1 | 0 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- Scintacor LimitedAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (4)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender