Award

* Purchasing 2 second hand oscilloscopes from Keysight, which meet requirements.

DEFENCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

23 Feb 2026 at 15:23

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), a central government public authority, is undertaking a procurement process to purchase two second-hand oscilloscopes from Keysight Technologies UK Limited, a large company. This procurement falls under the goods category and aims to facilitate trials with Ultra Intense Lasers at the PULSAR Laser Test Facility located at MOD Shoeburyness. The procurement process is in the award stage, with the award date set for 5 March 2026 and contract completion expected by 31 March 2026. The direct award method was employed due to technical reasons and urgency, ensuring the timely acquisition of essential equipment to meet upcoming trial requirements.

This tender presents substantial business growth opportunities for suppliers specialising in high-specification electronic measuring instruments, particularly those dealing with oscilloscopes. Companies with technical expertise in laser testing equipment and a capability to supply second-hand yet reliable instruments at competitive rates would be well-suited to engage with similar procurements in the future. It showcases a strategic procurement decision that prioritises cost-efficiency and environmental sustainability through the acquisition of used equipment, thereby offering a reliable partner with a robust supply chain an opportunity to serve the public sector while enhancing their market reputation and expanding business reach in government contracts.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

* Purchasing 2 second hand oscilloscopes from Keysight, which meet requirements.

Notice Description

Purchase of qty 2 Used Keysight DSOZ204A Infiniium Oscilloscope / Z-Series / 20 GHz / 80 GSa/S / 4 Channels

Procurement Information

Currently DSTL borrow three oscilloscopes to undertake our trials with Ultra Intense Lasers (UIL), so far we have always been able to gain access access free of charge to the required number of oscilloscopes. In addition to the oscilloscopes we also borrow an oscilloscope from the Dstl Instrumentation Novel Sensing Techniques (INST) team. Our trials require a minimum of four oscilloscopes to ensure the collection of enough statistically valid data. However, relying on the loan of these assets introduces significant risk to our ability to conduct essential trials to deliver to Customer requirements. This risk will be significantly increased in the new year as we start to conduct regular testing at the new PULSAR Laser Test Facility based at MOD Shoeburyness because we will need frequent, short notice access to high specification oscilloscopes for extended periods of time. This risk is very likely to manifest this financial year. We have a trial in February, and we wish to borrow three oscilloscopes. unfortunately concerns have been raised over our ability to borrow more than one this time. If this asset is not procured the trials are at risk, which will introduce significant delays to the project and potentially jeopardise our ability to deliver robust, valid data with confidence to inform the direction of the project and advise stakeholders on future investment in UIL. Spreading the data collection over multiple trials because of limited oscilloscope availability will significantly increase costs. The cost of a single trial is in excess of PS400k when considering facility hire, resources costs etc., and at a minimum the cost would double. Therefore, the purchase of these assets represents a significant cost saving and reduction in project risk. This is extremely cost efficient and environmentally friendly as we intend to source used oscilloscopes at a considerable saving over new units. Additionally, as outlined above, this will facilitate trial cost savings in the long run as we will be able to collect all data points in one go. This will also improve the quality and validity of our data. Possessing rather than borrowing oscilloscopes will mean that the PULSAR project will have flexibility with its use of the new laser test facility at MOD Shoeburyness, enabling the realisation of maximum value from the significant investment (>PS5M) that MOD has already made into that facility as PULSAR will be able to undertake trials when it's beneficial to the project and not be limited to when oscilloscopes are available to borrow.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065a50
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016169-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

38342000 - Oscilloscopes

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£231,297 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
23 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
5 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 30 days
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
DEFENCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SALISBURY
Postcode
SP4 0JQ
Post Town
Salisbury
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK72 Wiltshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Wiltshire
Electoral Ward
Winterslow & Upper Bourne Valley
Westminster Constituency
Salisbury

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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