Commercial Use of the Translational Research Hub (TRH) Cleanroom Facility

The University is seeking to engage with the market on an exploratory basis only to consider potential approaches, capabilities, and appetite relating to the operation and commercial use of a specialist cleanroom facility located within the University’s Translational Research Hub (TRH). This is to support the acceleration of the Authority’s mission for innovation and regional economic growth across the Cardiff Capital Region.

The University owns and operates a specialist compound semiconductor cleanroom facility located within the Translational Research Hub (TRH) at Cardiff University. The TRH is a research‑intensive environment for academic researchers and industry partners.

It supports the University’s activity aligned to the Institute for Compound Semiconductors, the School of Physics and the School of Engineering. The facility comprises a purpose‑built c.1500m² compound semiconductor cleanroom, supporting the fabrication and processing of compound semiconductor wafers up to 200mm (8‑inch) diameter.

The cleanroom provides the capability to trial, establish, and scale compound semiconductor devices to an industrial standard, supported by advanced, industry‑standard processing and characterisation capabilities. Dedicated characterisation and back‑end processing areas enable end‑to‑end wafer processing.

The University is considering options for further commercial utilisation of the facility while ensuring that appropriate access for academic and research purposes is maintained. As part of this review, the Authority wishes to engage openly and transparently with the market to consider operating, access, and partnership models that could support these objectives.

The University is seeking expressions of interest from organisations with relevant experience in operating or managing specialist cleanroom, laboratory, or semiconductor fabrication facilities. Through this premarket engagement, the University is seeking market feedback on potential commercial and operational models.

No preferred commercial or other operating model has been selected at this stage. Organisations responding to this notice will be invited to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) Response Document, receive further technical information, participate in individual meetings or site visits, and provide feedback on potential commercial models.

Engagement will be conducted on a non-competitive and non-discriminatory basis. Participation will not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any future procurement.

The outcome of this pre-market engagement will inform the University’s decision on whether a procurement is required and the appropriate route to market, if any. The University reserves the right to take no further action, proceed to a competitive procurement, or consider other compliant routes in line with the Procurement Act 2023. Interested organisations are invited to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) Response Document as confirmation of interest in participating in discussions.