Planning

Josephson Arbitrary Waveform Synthesiser 2V (JAWS) primary voltage standard

NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

08 Jan 2026 at 15:18

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NPL Management Limited, based at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, has initiated a tender process for procuring a Josephson Arbitrary Waveform Synthesiser (JAWS) primary voltage standard. This procurement is categorised under the industry sectors of electrical machinery and laboratory equipment, with the contract being a public undertaking. The process is currently in the planning stage, with significant dates including the engagement deadline on 19 January 2026. The selected supplier will deliver services within the specified contract period starting from 1 February 2026 through to 1 July 2026. The procurement is anticipated to be executed as a direct award notice to the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology by the culmination of the engagement phase.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses operating in the field of electrical machinery, laboratory, and precision equipment. Companies with expertise in advanced electrical engineering, particularly those specialising in precision voltage standards, will find an advantageous position in terms of technical alignment. The project requires the integration of high-frequency synthesis and precision voltage generation, suggesting a strong fit for firms with experience in developing innovative automated calibration systems and waveform technologies. This opportunity allows such businesses to engage with a high-profile buyer like NPL, potentially leading to further collaboration and expansion within the governmental and scientific sectors.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Josephson Arbitrary Waveform Synthesiser 2V (JAWS) primary voltage standard

Notice Description

NPL is procuring a Josephson Arbitrary Waveform Synthesiser (JAWS) primary voltage standard. This is a series array of Josephson junctions in which single pulses of bias current each generate a small but precisely defined quantised voltage across the array. Accurate voltage waveforms are constructed by fast repetition of the pulses with accurately timed intervals between them. In the JAWS system, the output voltage is always precisely defined. This is in contrast to the Programmable Josephson Voltage Standard (PJVS) in which there are time intervals when the voltage output is not precisely known and is not suitable. NPL intends to award the contract for a 2V JAWS reference system to the manufacturer the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology. NPL requires the following specifications: Range and accuracy of voltage output Output voltage: Up to 2 V Upper frequency limit: Up to at least 1 MHz Lower frequency limit: Down to 5 Hz (lowest frequency component), with the capability to output DC Pulse repetition rate: At least 10 Gsamples / second RMS uncertainty with 100 Hz sine wave generation: better than 4 ppm (k=2) RMS uncertainty with 10 kHz sine wave generation: better than 8 ppm (k=2) Cooling The system will not require any liquid cryogens Automation The system will be provided with software for custom waveform design or selecting standard sine waveforms. A detailed knowledge of the techniques used to generate the pulse patterns (e.g. delta-sigma conversion) should not be required of the operators. It is highly desirable that the software is able to perform automatic calibration of AC voltmeters and calibrators such as the Fluke 5700 series. Training The system should be simple enough to operate that users already experienced with programmable Josephson voltage standards can operate it after 2-3 days of training. The training will be provided by the supplier at the NPL Teddington site.

Planning Information

This Engagement Notice is intended to act a s a Direct Award Notice that NPL will award this contract to U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology at the end of this engagement deadline .

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06020f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/001546-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

CPV Codes

31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£447,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Jan 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
19 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2026 - 1 Jul 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
etenders@npl.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
TEDDINGTON
Postcode
TW11 0LW
Post Town
Twickenham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI7 Outer London - West and North West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI75 Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Richmond upon Thames
Electoral Ward
Teddington
Westminster Constituency
Twickenham

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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