Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
National Physical Laboratory
Hampton Road
Teddington
TW11 0LW
Telephone
+44 2089773222
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Research
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
4-Port 10MHz - 67GHz Vector Network Analyser (VNA)
Reference number
123115
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
4-port Vector Network Analyser covering frequencies from 10 MHz to 67 GHz. In addition to S-parameters, this asset should allow for noise figure measurements, up to 50 GHz, of low gain and low noise devices.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £291,269.25
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The unit must have all performance characteristics as detailed below:
4-port Vector Network Analyser with the following specifications:
• Lower frequency limit 10 MHz (maximum)
• Upper frequency limit 67 GHz (minimum)
• 4 ports
• 1.85 mm coaxial test port interface
• Hardware realised noise measurements up to 50 GHz
• GPIB interface
• CE or UKCA marked with declaration of conformity
• 220 V operating mains voltage
Performance specifications
Typical corrected system performance at 60 GHz as follows:
• Noise floor for 10 Hz IF Bandwidth across frequency range 100MHz to 67GHz: ≤-100 dBm, Direct Rx Access ≤-100 dBm across the whole band.
• System dynamic range ≥107 dB from 50MHz to 67GHz. Corrected Numbers, after a calibration.
• Directivity at 50-67GHz: ≥ 34 dB
• Source match at 50-67GHz: ≥ 40 dB
• Load match at 50-67GHz: ≥ 33 dB
• Reflection tracking (Mag) at 50-67GHz: ≤ ±0.031 dB
• Transmission tracking (Mag) at 60-67GHz: ≤ ±0.15 dB
• Three harmonically clean DDS RF sources, with harmonics better than -60dBc
• Internal signal combiner, a flexible set of switches and direct generator and receiver access points which can all be reconfigured for non-standard measurement applications without the need for an external test set or switching.
• Linearity at test port < 0.05 dB @ -60 dBm across frequency band.
• Dual DDS sources providing 94dBc/Hz phase noise performance at 10kHz offset at 10GHz carrier (typical)
Additional Features
• Noise Figure using built-in low noise receiver and filtering allowing for low gain, low noise measurements of amplifiers and converters
• Source corrected Vector noise figure measurements suitable for measuring low gain, low noise devices. Includes Noise Parameters.
• Option to add ARB functionality to all VNA sources, up to 6GHz Modulation BW
• Integrated touch screen display
• ≥2 USB ports & 2 USB-C Ports
• Option to add 3rd internal source operating up to 13.5GHz
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
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
Negotiated without a prior call for competition
- The products involved are manufactured purely for the purpose of research, experiment, study or development
- The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- absence of competition for technical reasons
Explanation:
The specification for the instrument that is needed to deliver the cutting-edge science is supplied by a specialist of scientific equipment, the specific needs are around low noise measurement which Keysight offer as a special built option rather than a software adjustment.
Integration with NPL software written around interaction with Keysight equipment (Time already spent with science teams – a effective plug and play requirement) is highly desirable. Specifically compatible with NPL PIMMS software (designed around Keysight PNA remote interface command set) as this software is complex and would require significant of time to rewrite the software.
In addition, Keysight offer a trade in service on all new purchases with items currently at NPL which are no longer useable or required by the science teams, this will be a significant saving. We currently have at least two items that fit the criteria for a trade in with Keysight, one is a unfeasible repair and one is an old 8510 unit that was one of the first to enter the UK which has since been super seeded by more modern equivalents which offer greater measurements options.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
123115
Title
4-Port 10MHz - 67GHz Vector Network Analyser (VNA)
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
25 June 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Keysight Technologies UK Limited
610 Wharfedale Road, Winnersh Triangle
Wokingham
RG41 5TP
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £291,269.25
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract/lot/concession is likely to be subcontracted
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
MPL Management Limited
Teddington
TW11 0LW
Country
United Kingdom