Supply of hardware as part of The OU spaceflight instrument and planetary science research

The Open University is procuring specialist hardware from a third party provider. This award notice is regarding phase 2 of the two phases detailed in the VEAT notice 2024/S 000-006505- published in February 2024. Phase 2: Subject to successful outcomes from Phase 1, a subsequent contract for the procurement of flight-quality devices for inclusion on final I-MIM mission instrument. Procurement of two CHROMA-D 2Kx512 SWIR EM Detectors.

Negotiated without a prior call for competition. 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: Based on the use requirement of the final product, The OU requires a space-qualified combined visible-infrared detector for delivery within the funded timeframe of the project. Due to the time constraints of the project only existing "off the shelf" technology is required, any products still within the development phase or where a custom build would be required, will not be suitable. The combined visible-infrared detector is required for a specific instrument which is for an established space-flight application. The following technical specifications (arising from the existing instrument optical design) are critical requirements: Pixel pitch: 18 µm Pixel format: 2k x 1k and stitchable design Spectral range: covering less than 400nm up to 2.5 micron(i.e. UV/visible to IR in one package). The suppliers considered, using publicly available information, in the assessment includes the major detector suppliers that the European Space Agency are currently working with to develop infrared detector technology. Technical data sheets from all current European Space Agency (ESA) infrared detector technology suppliers were reviewed and assessed against the above requirements. The Chroma-D hardware available from Teledyne UK Limited were the only products which met all critical requirements.