Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
National Physical Laboratory
Hampton Road
Teddington
TW11 0LW
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKI - LONDON
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://lupc.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://lupc.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Scientific Research
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
ITT - Supply of Frequency Comb Systems
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The combs will be part of future national time scale infrastructure, as well as test and evaluation facilities and services being set up as part of the UK quantum technologies programme. For this reason, they must be able to operate independently and continuously (24/7) with minimal downtime for maintenance.
The purpose is to enable greater flexibility and agility in NPL’s frequency measurement and characterisation services, while simultaneously developing the new infrastructure required to support a future redefinition of the second.
The setups need to work in tandem with ultrastable laser systems, optical lattice clocks and fibre networking capability in the AQML to support international collaborations and so must be compatible with these technologies. A full and detailed specification of our requirements for each individual comb is provided in separate lots as outlined in the ITT documents.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £1,300,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot No
4
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - UNITED KINGDOM
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is seeking to procure 4 separate frequency comb systems for our recently constructed Advanced Quantum Metrology Laboratory (AQML), where they will sit at the heart of a new optical frequency metrology capability.
The individual combs will be used to perform different tasks. The requirements for each therefore differ, and they should be quoted separately as a result. A general overview of the purpose and requirements for each of these systems are:
1) Synthesizer comb: The first frequency comb shall be appropriate for transferring the stability of a state-of-the-art ultrastable laser at 1542 nm to lasers operating at other wavelengths. These lasers include probe lasers for Yb and Sr optical lattice clocks as well as lasers used for frequency transfer over optical fibre links. It shall also be appropriate for measuring the absolute frequencies of these lasers and the optical frequency ratios between them.
2) Flexible measurement comb: The second frequency comb shall be more flexible, and appropriate for measuring optical frequencies (and the ratios between them) anywhere in the range from 500 nm to 2000 nm. It shall be possible to stabilise this comb to the same ultrastable laser at 1542 nm.
3) Backup comb: The third frequency comb will be used to provide continuous monitoring of the performance of the first two combs. As such it shall combine the capabilities of both these combs.
4) Microwave comb: The fourth frequency comb will be used in the near infrared for the generation of ultra-stable microwave signals. Comb light should be generated in the C-band.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
31 March 2021
End date
31 March 2022
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Described within tender documents
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
5 March 2021
Local time
1:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 3 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
5 March 2021
Local time
1:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
NPL Management Ltd
Teddington
Country
United Kingdom