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DSIT NMS Phase 2- LGC GC + CBM

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

Award

18 Aug 2026 at 09:41

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

22 Jul 2026 at 14:28

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

15 Jul 2026 at 14:09

UK5 - Transparency Notice
PlanningUpdate

21 Aug 2025 at 17:31

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

20 Aug 2025 at 15:11

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

22 May 2025 at 21:26

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology procured laboratory and fundamental metrology services for the UK National Measurement System. The requirement covers two programmes delivered by LGC Limited: the Government Chemist programme and Chemical and Biological Metrology. The Government Chemist provides independent referee analysis and authoritative advice to businesses, enforcement bodies, regulators and government departments, including in disputes over food and feed composition. Chemical and Biological Metrology develops, maintains and disseminates UK primary measurement standards for chemical and biological analysis, supporting medical technology, food safety, innovation and growth. Delivery is across the United Kingdom. The wider NMS supports accurate, traceable measurement, testing, calibration and validation for industry, research and public services.

This procurement is complete and was awarded by direct award to LGC Limited on 22 July 2026, following market engagement in which no alternative supplier expressed interest in delivering the proposed programmes in their entirety. The contract was signed on 10 August 2026 and runs from 10 August 2026 to 31 March 2029. Its value is £36,820,006 excluding VAT, or £44,184,007 including VAT. The award covers one lot and is classified as laboratory services. The buyer justified the direct award on the basis of a single supplier for unique work or artistic performance and single supplier for technical reasons, citing the specialist infrastructure, expertise and resources required. The contract includes quarterly monitoring of delivery performance for both programmes and gender pay gap reporting.

This award shows sustained public demand for high-end chemical and biological metrology and independent government-standard analytical expertise. Suppliers seeking to compete for a future version of this requirement would need demonstrable capability to develop, maintain and disseminate primary measurement standards, with strong traceability, accuracy and quality assurance. They would also need experience in applied research, measurement testing, calibration, validation and reference materials, alongside the scientific infrastructure and specialist staff to deliver nationally significant programmes. Credibility would be strengthened by recognised accreditation, experience advising regulators and government, and the ability to act impartially in measurement disputes. Relevant organisations should also be able to transfer knowledge through publications, training, consultancy and collaboration with industry, academia and international metrology partners.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

DSIT NMS Phase 2- LGC GC + CBM

Notice Description

DSIT conducted National Measurement System (NMS) Programme market engagement activities from 20th August 2025 to 3rd September 2025 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 Phase 2 contracts, 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.

Planning Information

Preliminary Market Engagement for National Measurement System Programmes 2026-2030 Background Information: The National Measurement System (NMS) is the UK’s infrastructure of laboratories and capabilities that deliver world-class measurement science and provide accurate, precise, and traceable measurements that underpin research, innovation, and trade. The NMS enables the UK to compete in global trade and manufacturing by ensuring consistency and recognition of measurement units and standards throughout the world. Internationally-leading knowledge and expertise is passed on to UK stakeholders by a coordinated programme of knowledge transfer. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) supports the NMS because of the substantial impact it has on every aspect of UK life and its economic success. DSIT does so by funding science programmes delivered by the UK’s National Metrology Institute, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), and other nationally designated metrology institutes. The science programmes are focused across a range of sectors and technology areas, including: • Advanced manufacturing, including power electronics, metamaterials, semiconductors, and mass, dimensional, and temperature measurements. Current projects include: o Providing and maintaining the UK’s national primary standards for temperature, humidity, mass, force, and length. o Establishing metrology capabilities to test and evaluate new semiconductor materials. • Digital, including communications and time and electromagnetic measurements. Current projects include: o Research to maintain the UK’s world-class optical frequency metrology and influence the international redefinition of the SI second. o Maintaining and delivering SI-traceable realisations of electrical, magnetic, and optical units. o Developing data science capabilities and tools to improve end-users’ confidence in their use of metrology data and AI systems. • Life sciences and health, including radiation dosimetry, bioimaging, and engineering biology. Current projects include: o Maintaining and developing the UK’s primary standards for ionising radiation, and providing validation and measurement confidence for radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, and associated imaging provided by the NHS and other healthcare providers. o Research and development to establish measurement capabilities, SI-traceable phantom materials, uncertainty assessments, and guidance for quantitative imaging in PET, SPECT, MRI and ultrasound. • Energy and environment, including gas composition and fluxes, and metrology for clean technology. Current projects include: o Maintaining and developing the UK’s primary standards for gas composition and aerosol measurements. o Developing measurement procedures and reference materials for the measurement of environmental DNA (eDNA). • Quantum, including quantum sensing, computing, and timing and navigation. Current projects include: o Developing test and evaluation capabilities for security assurance of commercially available quantum communications products such as Quantum Key Distribution systems and Quantum Random Number Generator devices. o Providing metrology, testing, and benchmarking for UK industry in the development of the next generation of quantum sensors for magnetometry and imaging, including their applications in health care and critical infrastructure. • Chemical and biological metrology, including purity measurements, organic analysis, isotope ratios, and the delivery of the statutory Government Chemist function. Current projects include: o Maintaining and delivering accredited, SI-traceable calibration and reference materials for purity determination. o Developing and validating measurement methods to quantify particle additives in regulated consumer products and accidental food and environmental pollutants. o Develop capabilities to analyse and act as a referee in relation to alternative protein sources such as edible insects, plant-based alternatives, and seaweed. o Provide authoritative analysis to resolve measurement-related disputes between businesses and enforcement bodies. • Gears metrology. Current projects include: o Providing and maintaining the UK’s primary standards for the measurement and characterisation of gears. These programmes are currently provided via contracted services for DSIT by: • The National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the UK’s National Metrology Institute; • The National Measurement Laboratory at LGC (formerly the Laboratory of the Government Chemist), the UK’s designated institute for chemical and biological measurement; • TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory, the UK’s designated institute for flow measurement; • The National Gear Metrology Laboratory, the UK’s designated institute for gear measurement. The purpose of this questionnaire is to better understand the market for fundamental metrology capabilities in the UK ahead of the current contracts expiring on 1st April 2026, and assess whether any of the DSIT NMS programmes could be delivered, in whole or in part, by alternative providers. Service Description: The aims of these programmes are to: 1) Ensure that industry, researchers, regulators, and other users in the UK can reliably, accurately, and precisely measure, test, calibrate, and validate their products, services, and processes, as necessary to support, for example, trade, scientific research, the development of innovative technologies, environmental monitoring and protection, and public health. 2) Directly support innovation by helping businesses to overcome measurement and analytical problems, and bringing more businesses, researchers, and other stakeholders to the technological frontier through consultancy and training services. The services involved in delivering these programmes may include, across all sector and technology areas set out above: • Developing and maintaining, to the highest accuracy, precision, and traceability, the UK’s fundamental measurement standards in a given area. The accuracy and uncertainty of these standards must be evidenced through, for example, the highest standards of accreditation. This will involve applied research and the development, validation and documentation of measurement protocols, instrumentation, reference materials, and reference data, and will involve collaboration with partners as appropriate. • Collaborating with standards bodies, regulators, and other stakeholders to develop and advise on technical standards, regulatory frameworks, and testing and calibration methodologies to support technological development. • Horizon-scanning and engagement with stakeholders (including industry, researchers, and the government) to identify, and develop the capabilities required to meet, new measurement needs. • Collaborating with national metrology institutes and designated institutes in other countries on joint research and development projects. • Knowledge transfer and support for industry, researchers, and other stakeholders through collaboration with businesses, publication of research, training, and consultancy services. This work will leverage the expertise developed through the development and maintenance of the fundamental measurement standards. • Acting as an impartial scientific arbitrator of measurement and analytical disputes. Questions: Your Organisation 1. What is your organisation’s name? 2. What is your name and role at the organisation? 3. Please provide a brief description of your organisation, including information on: a. The services you provide and the sectors and technologies you cover. b. The approximate size and revenue of your business (or the parts thereof that deliver measurement services or R&D). c. Where your services are carried out. Measurement Capabilities 4. What fundamental measurement capabilities and services does your organisation provide? Please describe: a. The measurement, testing, calibration, or validation activities your organisation carries out, and the sectors and technologies in which these are offered. b. The level of uncertainty your organisation achieves in those activities. c. Any accreditations your organisation holds, or is in the process of securing, in relation to the preceding. d. The traceability of your activities. e. Whether your measurements are, or could function as, a UK primary standard. Please explain and justify any claim. 5. What experience does your organisation have in providing measurement services to customers? 6. What experience does your organisation have in undertaking applied research in fundamental metrology? Collaboration 7. What experience does your organisation have in working with other organisations to develop or advise on technical standards, regulatory frameworks, and measurement protocols? 8. What other experience does your organisation have working with government, industry, academia, international partners, and other stakeholders in relation to metrology? Knowledge Transfer 9. What experience does your organisation have in disseminating the knowledge and expertise developed through the measurement capabilities and services your organisation provides? Please describe any activities you undertake (e.g., training, publications, consultancy services, and collaborative projects with business) and your audiences. Quality Assurance 10. What quality assurance plans do you have in place to ensure the reliability and accuracy of your measurements? Programme Delivery 11. What parts, if any, of the NMS programmes could your organisation deliver? In which fields, technologies, or sectors could your organisation deliver them? Justify this by reference to your previous answers. If you have any further questions, or would like to provide a response to the above, please email barney.rankin2@dsit.gov.uk to request a “DSIT National Measurement System Preliminary Market Engagement Supplier Questionnaire FOR RESPONSES” excel sheet. We then politely request that all responses are returned to barney.rankin2@dsit.gov.uk by 17:00, Wednesday 03rd September, 2025.

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 measurement standards and capabilities. 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. LGC Limited delivers two programmes for BIST as part of the NMS: the Government Chemist (GC) programme and the Chemical and Biological Metrology (CBM) programme. The GC programme involves fulfilling the statutory role of the Government Chemist, a role appointed by BIST. The Government Chemist acts as an independent referee analyst to provide authoritative advice to businesses and enforcement bodies in cases of disputes over, e.g., the composition of foods and feeds. It also provides independent expert advice to regulators and government departments. The CBM programme involves developing, maintaining and disseminating the UK's primary standards of measurement for chemical and biological analysis. These programmes support, e.g., the development and verification of new medical technologies, food safety, and innovation and growth. 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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051f99
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078385-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, 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
SME, VCSE
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
£36,820,006 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
£36,820,006 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Mar 2026Expired
Award Date
15 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
10 Aug 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 years
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

LGC Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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