Award

Project Caesium

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

05 Jan 2026 at 23:58

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence has completed a procurement process titled "Project Caesium" within the defence security industry, focusing on military research and technology related to quantum clocks. This contracting process, identified by ID ocds-h6vhtk-05ffb2, took place in Portsmouth, United Kingdom, with the main stage being the award. The contract for this project commenced on 5th January 2026 and is set to conclude by 31st March 2026. The procurement was conducted directly without competition and was below the threshold. NPL Management Limited was selected as the supplier to provide specialist research and advisory services culminating in three reports by the end of the financial year.

This procurement presents a valuable opportunity for businesses specialising in advanced technology and military research and development. While the contract had specific direct procurement without open competition, businesses involved in similar sectors can benefit from understanding the strategic needs highlighted in such defence projects. Companies with expertise in delivering sophisticated analytical and research capabilities, particularly within defence, would be well-suited to explore similar opportunities to contribute to governmental advancements and operational efficiencies in future projects.

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Notice Title

Project Caesium

Notice Description

Caesium will provide world leading specialist research and advice from NPL to understand the potential of UK sovereign quantum clocks to deliver operational advantage to Navy and inform capability requirements and decision making in NAVY. NPL will be providing 3 reports by the end of the Financial Year.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ffb2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000491-2026
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
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

73410000 - Military research and technology

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£185,359 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
5 Jan 20261 months ago
Contract Period
5 Jan 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
eleanor.rust100@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
PORTSMOUTH
Postcode
PO2 8BY
Post Town
Portsmouth
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ31 Portsmouth
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Portsmouth
Electoral Ward
Nelson
Westminster Constituency
Portsmouth North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NPL MANAGEMENT

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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