Award

DSIT NMS - NPL Programme Excellence

DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

19 May 2025 at 12:40

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

12 May 2025 at 11:59

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, located at 22 Whitehall, London, is managing the procurement for the "DSIT NMS - NPL Programme Excellence". This project, part of the National Measurement System (NMS), focuses on world-class measurement science and technology in the UK. With a focus on laboratory services, the procurement falls under the "services" category and is being conducted using a direct award method due to an absence of competition for technical reasons. The main award was announced on 19th May 2025, with the potential contract starting on 2nd June 2025 and ending on 31st March 2026. This enables the National Physical Laboratory, headquartered in Teddington, Middlesex, to continue developing essential measurement standards.

This tender presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses operating in high-precision manufacturing, digital technologies, environmental monitoring, and healthcare diagnostics. As the NMS underpins critical sectors like cybersecurity and renewable energy, businesses engaged in these arenas could benefit from innovative measurement standards and enhancements in product quality and regulatory compliance. Although this specific procurement is a direct award, firms possessing unique expertise or technological capabilities in similar fields can explore collaborations or subcontracting opportunities through the National Physical Laboratory or related government projects.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo
All Features Pricing

Notice Information

Notice Title

DSIT NMS - NPL Programme Excellence

Notice Description

This notice is to inform the market that a number of contract awards 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

Procurement Information

This notice is to inform the market that a number of contract awards 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

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0510d7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022621-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award 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
£15,811,200 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 May 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
12 May 20259 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
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
commercialexcellence@ics.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

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)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0510d7-2025-05-19T13:40:52+01:00",
    "date": "2025-05-19T13:40:52+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0510d7",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PVWZ-3216-PVQL",
            "name": "Department for Science, Innovation & Technology",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PVWZ-3216-PVQL"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "22 Whitehall",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "SW1A 2EG",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKI32"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "commercialexcellence@ics.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PYDB-8862-JBYM",
            "name": "National Physical Laboratory",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PYDB-8862-JBYM"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Hampton Road",
                "locality": "Teddington, Middlesex,",
                "postalCode": "TW11 0LW",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKI75"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "peter.thompson@npl.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large",
                "vcse": false,
                "url": "https://www.npl.co.uk/",
                "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false,
                "shelteredWorkshop": false
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PVWZ-3216-PVQL",
        "name": "Department for Science, Innovation & Technology"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "prj_5134",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "DSIT NMS - NPL Programme Excellence",
        "description": "This notice is to inform the market that a number of contract awards 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",
        "status": "complete",
        "procurementMethod": "direct",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award",
        "procurementMethodRationale": "This notice is to inform the market that a number of contract awards 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",
        "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
            {
                "id": "prototypesDevelopment"
            },
            {
                "id": "singleSuppliersIntellectualPropertyExclusiveRights"
            },
            {
                "id": "singleSuppliersTechnicalReasons"
            }
        ],
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "complete"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            }
        ]
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "title": "DSIT NMS - NPL Programme Excellence",
            "status": "pending",
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 18973440,
                "amount": 15811200,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
            "aboveThreshold": true,
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-PPON-PYDB-8862-JBYM",
                    "name": "National Physical Laboratory"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "71900000",
                            "description": "Laboratory services"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1",
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UK",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        }
                    ]
                }
            ],
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2025-06-02T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2026-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "020454-2025",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK5",
                    "description": "Transparency notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020454-2025",
                    "datePublished": "2025-05-12T12:59:50+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                },
                {
                    "id": "022621-2025",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK6",
                    "description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022621-2025",
                    "datePublished": "2025-05-19T13:40:52+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ],
            "milestones": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "type": "futureSignatureDate",
                    "dueDate": "2025-05-30T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "status": "scheduled"
                }
            ],
            "date": "2025-05-19T00:00:00+01:00",
            "standstillPeriod": {
                "endDate": "2025-05-29T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "subcontracting": {
                "subcontracts": [
                    {
                        "id": "1",
                        "mainContractors": [
                            {
                                "id": "GB-PPON-PYDB-8862-JBYM",
                                "name": "National Physical Laboratory"
                            }
                        ],
                        "description": "Dr Peter Thompson CEO peter.thompson@npl.co.uk, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "language": "en"
}