United Kingdom15 days leftOpen

UKRI-5382 ZnS:Ag/6LiF Neutron Scintillator Screens

Tender Overview

LOCATION

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

VALUE

£2,112,000

DEADLINE

February 17, 2026 at 14:00

CATEGORY

Other

CPV CODE

38000000

REFERENCE

005787-2026

Project Timeline

Contact Information

View Original

Original Tender Description

The 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.
⚠️

MANDATORY EXCLUSION GROUNDS

  • No specific mandatory exclusion grounds are detailed in the provided tender information.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • No specific eligibility requirements (e.g., legal status, registrations, specific certifications) are detailed in the provided tender information.
🔧

TECHNICAL CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Supply high-performance ZnS:Ag/6LiF neutron scintillator screens.
  • Ensure the screens are critical for capturing and characterising neutron interactions with high spatial and temporal resolution.
  • Provide screens composed of a zinc sulphide silver activated phosphor and an enriched lithium-6 fluoride neutron-sensitive converter material.
  • Guarantee that the quality, consistency, and performance of the scintillator screen directly impact detection efficiency and effective gamma-ray and background discrimination.
  • Offer screens in different shapes, sizes, and thicknesses to match various instrument beamline geometries and neutron fluxes.
  • Ensure screens are capable of maintaining performance within a vacuum environment for a typical detector lifetime of 15 years.
  • Guarantee a reliable and consistent supply of product throughout the 10-year ISIS Endeavour Programme.
  • Support new detector builds, specifically for the HRPD-X, SANDALS II, and WISH II instruments.
💰

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • No specific financial requirements (e.g., minimum turnover, insurance) are detailed in the provided tender information.
📋

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • Submit bids by the deadline: 2026-02-17 at 14:00:00+00:00.

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DOC
OCDS Record
OCDS Data005787-2026_ocds_record.json
Summary:
This tender is for a framework contract to ensure a reliable supply of high-performance ZnS:Ag/6LiF neutron scintillator screens in various specifications for UKRI's ISIS facility, supporting its detector development programme and the 10-year ISIS Endeavour Programme.
DOC
OCDS Release Package
OCDS Data005787-2026_ocds_release.json
Summary:
UK Research & Innovation requires a framework contract for the reliable supply of high-performance ZnS:Ag/6LiF neutron scintillator screens, in various forms, to support its ISIS Neutron and Muon Source detector development and the 10-year ISIS Endeavour Programme.
PDF
Official PDF Version
Administrative Documents005787-2026_official.pdf
Summary:
UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) seeks a framework contract supplier for high-performance ZnS:Ag/6LiF neutron scintillator screens in various shapes, sizes, and thicknesses, capable of 15-year vacuum operation, to support the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source's detector development and upgrade programme.
HTM
Tender Notice
Notice005787-2026.html
Summary:
Download failed - no summary available

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53
Fair

Tender Quality Score

This tender for highly specialized neutron scintillator screens provides a clear technical description but suffers from critical deficiencies in completeness, clarity, and fairness due to missing key documents, evaluation criteria, and a lack of e-submission.

Score Breakdown

Legal Compliance65/100

The tender defines the procedure type and CPV code correctly, and the remaining submission period is reasonable. However, the absence of detailed mandatory exclusion grounds and eligibility requirements is a significant legal compliance oversight.

Missing mandatory exclusion grounds
Missing eligibility requirements
Clarity60/100

The technical description of the required scintillator screens and their application is exceptionally clear and detailed. However, the tender lacks specified evaluation criteria, and the AI-extracted requirements note the absence of eligibility and financial requirements, which significantly hinders overall clarity for potential bidders.

No evaluation criteria specified
Missing eligibility requirements
Completeness40/100

While basic information, value, and duration are provided, the critical 'Tender Notice' document failed to download, rendering the tender fundamentally incomplete for any interested party. Furthermore, essential eligibility, financial, and evaluation criteria are not defined.

Main 'Tender Notice' document failed to download
Missing eligibility requirements
Fairness45/100

The inability to access the primary tender document, coupled with the complete absence of evaluation criteria, severely compromises the fairness and transparency of this procurement. The lack of e-submission further creates an unequal playing field. While the technical requirements are highly specific, this is likely justified by the specialized scientific context rather than being tailored.

Main 'Tender Notice' document failed to download
No evaluation criteria specified
Practicality50/100

The tender's practicality is significantly hampered by the lack of electronic submission capabilities, which is a standard expectation in modern procurement. The failed download of a key document also presents a practical barrier for bidders.

No e-submission
Main 'Tender Notice' document failed to download
Data Consistency80/100

Most key fields are populated, and dates are logical and consistent. Minor inconsistencies include an empty 'Liable Person' field and missing codes for the 'Type' and 'Procedure' fields. No disputes or suspensions are reported.

Empty 'Liable Person' field
Missing codes for 'Type' and 'Procedure'
Sustainability30/100

The tender does not explicitly incorporate any green procurement, social, or innovation-focused criteria. While the underlying project (ISIS Endeavour Programme) is innovative, the tender itself does not solicit or evaluate sustainability aspects from suppliers.

No explicit green procurement criteria
No explicit social criteria

Strengths

Clear and detailed technical description of requirements
Value, duration, and contract start date are clearly specified
Appropriate CPV code and defined procedure type
No reported disputes or suspensions

Concerns

Critical 'Tender Notice' document failed to download
Absence of specified evaluation criteria
Missing mandatory exclusion, eligibility, and financial requirements
Lack of electronic submission (e-submission)
No explicit sustainability or social criteria

Recommendations

1. Ensure all tender documents are accessible and downloadable immediately.
2. Clearly define and publish all mandatory exclusion grounds, eligibility, financial, and evaluation criteria.
3. Implement electronic submission capabilities to enhance fairness and practicality.

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C
Tender Quality Score
53/ 100 · Fair

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