Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
National Physical Laboratory
Hampton Road
Teddington
TW11 0LW
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
IR Laser System for generating tuneable wavelength of light between 1.5 – 3.5 µm
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 DIAL team are looking to procure a new and upgraded IR laser system to replace their aging unit.
The pump laser will be a seeded flashlamp pumped laser with pulse duration of 9 ns and line width 0.003 cm-1, it will be capable of simultaneously emit the fundamental and second harmonic at a repetition rate of 20 Hz. The pulse energy in the IR should be around 700 mJ and 400 mJ in the green.
The system needs to be capable of outputting a total wavelength range between 1.5 – 3.5 µm. Obtaining the tuneability utilising a dye laser and a two-stage non-linear mixing component. The system should be designed in such a way that the wavelength can be switched between two wavelengths at a frequency of greater than (or equal to) 5 Hz. Any wavelength drift must be minimal and easily corrected by a competent operator.
The system should be fully integrated, and installed subject to a site acceptance test at NPL’s facility. NPL expect the system to be maintained by the supplier on an ad hoc basis and serviced by the supplier annually.
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: £321,995
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The DIAL team are looking to procure a new and upgraded IR laser system to replace their aging unit.
The pump laser will be a seeded flashlamp pumped laser with pulse duration of 9 ns and line width 0.003 cm-1, it will be capable of simultaneously emit the fundamental and second harmonic at a repetition rate of 20 Hz. The pulse energy in the IR should be around 700 mJ and 400 mJ in the green.
The system needs to be capable of outputting a total wavelength range between 1.5 – 3.5 µm. Obtaining the tuneability utilising a dye laser and a two-stage non-linear mixing component. The system should be designed in such a way that the wavelength can be switched between two wavelengths at a frequency of greater than (or equal to) 5 Hz. Any wavelength drift must be minimal and easily corrected by a competent operator.
The system should be fully integrated, and installed subject to a site acceptance test at NPL’s facility. NPL expect the system to be maintained by the supplier on an ad hoc basis and serviced by the supplier annually.
Requirement is for one unit inclusive of Installation and after sale support.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Cost criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 80
Cost criterion - Name: Commercial / Weighting: 20
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
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
A robust tuneable mid-IR laser for this application (DIAL) are very challenging to produce. The number of non-linear stages result in lots of loss of energy. Starting from 700 mJ of 1064 nm and 400 mJ of 532 nm, resulting in just 14 mJ of useable 3.4 µm energy for measuring methane. Coupled with the requirement of the narrow linewidth and short nanosecond pulse excludes many mid-IR laser sources.
The DIAL requires selectivity between two closely separated wavelengths, one which is tuned the target species absorption peak and another which is not absorbed by the species. The DIAL technique requires oscillation between the on and off resonant wavelength and is achieved in the current IR laser system on alternate shots. Furthermore, the DIAL requires the ability to measure multiple hydrocarbon species including CH4, C2H6, CO2, and VOCs, so a platform which allows tuning over a broad wavelength region is required. Both features are achieved using a dye laser for the broad tuneability with a piezo actuator in the resonator for the on and off selectivity.
Photonic Solutions are the only supplier for a complete system which meets the specification therefore competition is absent in the market.
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
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
12 September 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
Photonic Solutions Ltd
Unit 2.2 Quantum Court, Heriot Watt University Research Park
Currie
EH14 4AP
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: £321,995
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
NPL Management Ltd
Hampton Road
Teddington
TW11 0LW
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
NPL Management Ltd
Hampton Road
Teddington
TW11 0LW
Country
United Kingdom