UKRI-1167 - Cryogenic Cooling System for a High-Power Laser

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is building an advanced Yb:YAG laser system delivering pulse energies in excess of 10 J at 100 Hz repetition rate. This system will be built, tested, and operated at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK. This specification describes the requirements for a cryogenic cooling system to control and maintain the temperature of the main laser amplifier head.

1.1Scope of contract

This specification covers the supply of a cooling system, in the following also called the System comprising of:

•The cooling system itself (based on a sealed helium coolant loop that is cooled using a liquid nitrogen (LN2) supply).

•An EPICS compatible control system.

•All cabling and piping required to interface points specified herein.

•Factory demonstration of the System demonstrating the full performance specified herein

•Attendance at STFC’s RAL site to confirm the adequacy of the installation and to set up and demonstrate the plant, reconfirming the performance of the equipment to this specification.

•Reports and documentation as stated herein.

•Full technical construction file and certification, in reproducible form, attesting to compliance with European Trading Regulations (CE marking).

•CE declaration of conformity.

•Certificate of conformity to this specification.

•Operating and maintenance manuals in English (UK).

•Specialist plant and equipment to support assembly, testing and installation, including blanks and seals for all flanges.

•Provision of cryostat and transfer line support and adjustment system.

•Flexible vacuum jacketed supply and exhaust lines.

This cooling system will be supplied and delivered to STFC where it will be integrated with other hardware as part of a project to design and construct an advanced laser system

All equipment supplied must be suitable for operation in the UK. All equipment supplied must meet European Regulations and, as appropriate, be CE marked.

The full specification and requirements can be found within the Delta eSourcing Portal, mentioned below;

UKRI will be using the Delta eSourcing Portal for this procurement. To register on the Delta eSourcing portal please use the link www.delta-esourcing.com ↗ and follow the instructions to register. If you are already registered on the Delta eSourcing Portal and wish to participate in this procurement, please use the link provided in this Notice, and then follow the instructions to ‘Login’. Once you are logged into the system you will be able to link yourself into this procurement using the Access Code www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/H5V9UP64NY ↗. As a user of the Delta eSourcing Portal you will have access to the Delta messaging service which facilitates all messages sent to you and from you in relation to any specific tender event. Please note it is your responsibility to access these messages on a regular basis to ensure you have sight of all relevant information applicable to this opportunity. Please ensure you review all attached information to ensure a full understanding of this requirement. All attachments can be found with the Document Uploads tab within the Delta eSourcing Portal.

The contracting authority expressly reserves the right:

i. not to award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice; and

ii.to make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the procurement; and in no circumstances will the contracting authority be liable for any costs incurred by any supplier. If the contracting authority decides to enter into a contract with the successful supplier, this does not mean that there is any guarantee of subsequent contracts being awarded. Any expenditure, work or effort undertaken prior to contract award is accordingly a matter solely for the commercial judgement of bidders.