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DSIT NMS - NEL Flow Programme

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

This public procurement record has 8 releases in its history.

Implementation

06 Oct 2026 at 16:17

UK9 - Contract Performance Notice
ContractAmendment

03 Jul 2026 at 13:00

UK10 - Contract Change Notice
ContractAmendment

02 Jul 2026 at 17:27

UK10 - Contract Change Notice
ContractAmendment

02 Jul 2026 at 16:59

UK10 - Contract Change Notice
Award

24 Mar 2026 at 16:14

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
AwardUpdate

22 Aug 2025 at 12:30

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

19 May 2025 at 13:54

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

12 May 2025 at 13:16

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology procured laboratory services through its National Measurement System Flow Programme. The work supports the National Engineering Laboratory’s development and maintenance of measurement standards and specialist flow-measurement facilities, underpinning accurate, traceable measurement for UK manufacturing and other users. The programme covers oil, water, gas and multiphase flow, domestic gas metering, elevated pressure and temperature testing, and density calibration, alongside programme management. This work forms part of the UK’s wider metrology infrastructure, which supports high-precision manufacturing and measurement capability. The named supplier is based in Glasgow; the delivery location is identified as the United Kingdom. The requirement concerns specialist laboratory operations and measurement science rather than general laboratory testing.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded to TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory (NEL). The award was dated 19 May 2025 and the contract was signed on 30 May 2025. The award value was £9,231,213 excluding VAT (£11,077,455 including VAT); the published contract value is £12,131,351 excluding VAT (£14,557,621 including VAT). The award period was stated as 2 June 2025 to 31 March 2026, while the contract period is recorded as 3 July to 31 July 2026. The process used a direct award, justified by technical reasons and the absence of competition. There was one lot. No competitive evaluation criteria are set out: the supplier was selected on the stated technical grounds.

For a supplier hoping to compete when this requirement returns to market, the evidence points to a need for established, specialist flow-measurement capability rather than a general laboratory offer. A credible provider would need the scientific expertise and technical infrastructure to operate and maintain national measurement standards, with facilities spanning oil, water, gas, multiphase flow, domestic gas metering, density calibration, and elevated pressure and temperature testing. Programme management and sustained service delivery across these facilities are also part of the requirement. Reported performance measures track facility uptime and programme delivery, so demonstrable operational reliability and the capacity to keep specialist facilities functioning would matter. The buyer previously awarded directly on the basis that the services required extensive technical resources and expertise unavailable through competition; suppliers would need to show how their capabilities could meet that demanding national metrology role.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

DSIT NMS - NEL Flow Programme

Notice Description

This notice is to inform the market of the details of a contract award 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 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 diagnostics a 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 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. 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-0510db
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/094418-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK9 - Contract Performance 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
£9,231,213 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£12,131,351 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Oct 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
19 May 20251 years ago
Contract Period
3 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 2026 30 days
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

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
Postcode Area
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

TUV SUV National Engineering Laboratory (NEL)

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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