Award

Broadcast of the Time From NPL

NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

15 Mar 2022 at 22:45

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The National Physical Laboratory is seeking to award a contract for the broadcast of the Time From NPL, a service involving the operation and maintenance of the MSF signal at a frequency of 60 kHz, essential for providing time standards across the UK. The procurement process is currently at the Award stage, with a substantial contract value of £1,999,268, signed on 15 March 2022. The contract is categorised under postal and telecommunications services, and the delivery location is in Teddington, UK. This procurement follows a limited method, awarded without prior publication of a call for competition, based on the unique capabilities of the supplier, Babcock Communications Limited.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses in the telecommunications and broadcasting industries, particularly those with expertise in frequency management and electronic signal services. Companies capable of providing similar technological solutions or those looking to establish partnerships may find this a strategic avenue to expand their offerings. Given the complexity and technical requirements of the contract, firms with experience in maintaining high-precision broadcast services could be particularly well-suited to compete in future related tenders.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Broadcast of the Time From NPL

Notice Description

Broadcast of the Time From NPL (formerly MSF 60kHz Standard Frequency & Time Service) We are purchasing the service to provide, operate and maintain the MSF signal at a carrier frequency of 60 kHz. The effective radiated power of the signal shall be sufficient to provide a minimum field strength of 100 uVolts / m at a distance of 1000km from the transmitter, and shall cover the whole of mainland UK. The contractor shall provide at least 2 frequency standards able to maintain the carrier frequency at 60 kHz to within 2E-12 (2 parts in 10 to the power of 12) over a period of 30 days without dependence on off-air reception of any signal and shall provide the equipment required to generate and to monitor the correct time and date code at the Transmission Station.

Lot Information

Lot 1

We are purchasing the service to provide, operate and maintain the MSF signal at a carrier frequency of 60 kHz. The effective radiated power of the signal shall be sufficient to provide a minimum field strength of 100 uVolts / m at a distance of 1000km from the transmitter, and shall cover the whole of mainland UK. The contractor shall provide at least 2 frequency standards able to maintain the carrier frequency at 60 kHz to within 2E-12 (2 parts in 10 to the power of 12) over a period of 30 days without dependence on off-air reception of any signal and shall provide the equipment required to generate and to monitor the correct time and date code at the Transmission Station. Contract length: 5 Years.

Procurement Information

We are awarding this contract directly as no other provider has come forward to offer the service, and we believe that there is no other infrastructure other than that currently installed at Anthorne, operated by Babcock International, that is able to offer this service. Related PIN reference number: 2022-040278

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-03223d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007075-2022
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

CPV Codes

64000000 - Postal and telecommunications services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£1,999,268 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Mar 20223 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
15 Mar 20223 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
nina.heath@npl.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
TEDDINGTON
Postcode
TW11 0LW
Post Town
Twickenham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI7 Outer London - West and North West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI75 Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Richmond upon Thames
Electoral Ward
Teddington
Westminster Constituency
Twickenham

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BABCOCK COMMUNICATIONS

Further Information

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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