Award

DSIT NMS - NPL Energy and Environment

DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

15 Apr 2026 at 10:59

AwardUpdate

09 Feb 2026 at 11:03

Award

19 May 2025 at 12:31

Award

12 May 2025 at 11:45

Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology has awarded contracts related to the National Measurement System (NMS), a critical infrastructure that underpins the UK's metrology. The primary contract, titled "DSIT NMS - NPL Energy and Environment," covers laboratory services aimed at enhancing measurement standards that support various sectors including energy, environment, healthcare, and security. This direct award to the National Physical Laboratory ensures high-quality, precise measurements aligning with international standards due to the absence of competition from other providers, attributed to technical reasons. The contract period spans from 2 June 2025 to 31 March 2026, with activities and operations centred in London, United Kingdom.

This contracting process presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in high-precision manufacturing, technological innovation, and environmental monitoring. By supporting emerging technologies like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and IoT, businesses can leverage these advancements to stay competitive and drive growth. Companies specialised in healthcare technologies and cybersecurity would find this tender especially beneficial. Engaging with the NMS programme can foster partnerships and collaborations that may lead to enhanced operational efficiencies and reduced administrative overheads, creating additional capacity to explore wider business needs. Large-scale enterprises with expertise in metrology and laboratory services, such as the National Physical Laboratory, are particularly suited to this tender due to their resources and technical capabilities.

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Notice Title

DSIT NMS - NPL Energy and Environment

Notice Description

DSIT conducted National Measurement System (NMS) Programme market engagement activities from 20th August 2025 to 31st March 2026 during which no alternative suppliers expressed an interest in delivering one of the proposed 9 separate NMS programmes in their entirety. DSIT therefore took the decision to retain the existing, aggregated contract structure of NMS for the multi-year period from 1st April 2026 onwards, in order to drive operational efficiencies, reduce administrative overheads, and create additional capacity with which to address wider business needs. Future NMS Programme iterations will conduct similar market engagement opportunities to explore the market's appetite to deliver all, or some, of the NMS programmes.

Procurement Information

This notice is to inform the market of the details of a number of contracts that will be made in relation to the National Measurement System (NMS). The NMS is the system of laboratories and capabilities that underpin the UK's metrology. The NMS provides the UK with an infrastructure of laboratories that deliver world-class measurement science and technology and provide traceable and increasingly accurate standards of measurement. The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the National Engineering Laboratory (TUV-NEL) develop and maintain measurement standards that support high-precision manufacturing processes. This ensures that UK manufacturers can produce high-quality products that meet international standards. The NMS labs support the digital economy by developing measurement techniques for emerging technologies such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT), helping the UK stay at the forefront of technological innovation. Metrology labs contribute to environmental sustainability by providing accurate measurements for monitoring air and water quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency. This supports the UK's efforts to transition to clean energy sources and mitigate climate change. The National Measurement Laboratory (NML) at LGC and other labs ensure the accuracy of measurements in healthcare, such as those used in medical diagnostics and pharmaceuticals. This helps improve public health outcomes and supports the development of new medical technologies. The NMS enhances national security by developing measurement standards for critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, and emergency response. This ensures that the UK can effectively respond to and recover from various threats. The extensive scientific and technical infrastructure, expertise, and resources necessary to provide these services mean that there is an absence of competition from other providers. These contracts are therefore awarded directly. The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason: absence of competition for technical reasons

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0510d2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034128-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

71900000 - Laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£113,215,548 £100M-£1B
Contracts Value
£113,215,548 £100M-£1B

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
12 May 202511 months ago
Contract Period
1 Jun 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active, Pending
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2EG
Post Town
South West London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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