Award

Purchase of CL61 Ceilometer Lidars

MET OFFICE

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

26 Mar 2026 at 15:09

Award

17 Mar 2026 at 13:16

Award

13 Mar 2026 at 15:17

Summary of the contracting process

The Met Office, a central government authority located in Exeter, UK, has completed a procurement process involving the purchase of two CL61 Ceilometer Lidars, commonly used as meteorological instruments within the Volcanic Ash Observer Network. The tender, identified under DN806726, was executed through a direct award method, justified by technical reasons and the absence of competition. The procurement process was initiated by tender on 13th March 2026, culminating in an active contract award on 26th March 2026, with the contract period starting from 1st April 2026 and lasting until 31st March 2036. The primary supplier involved in this contract is Vaisala Limited, based in Birmingham, with the contract valued at €130,678.40.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in the provision and innovation of meteorological instruments, particularly those with technical capabilities that match the unique requirements of the Met Office. Companies operating in similar domains or possessing unique technological solutions might find lucrative opportunities in future procurement initiatives of this nature. As the contract was awarded through a direct award process due to specific technical needs, businesses that can demonstrate specialised expertise and minimal competition are well-positioned to compete in related tenders. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with cutting-edge capabilities could particularly benefit from tapping into this sector.

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Notice Title

Purchase of CL61 Ceilometer Lidars

Notice Description

Purchase of 2 CL61 Ceilometer Lidars

Procurement Information

The conditions of Paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023, have been met in relation to an award of a public contract (a) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, i.e. only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and (b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066a27
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028050-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

38120000 - Meteorological instruments

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£130,678 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£130,678 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
13 Mar 20262 months ago
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2036 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MET OFFICE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EXETER
Postcode
EX1 3PB
Post Town
Exeter
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK43 Devon CC
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Exeter
Electoral Ward
Pinhoe
Westminster Constituency
Exmouth and Exeter East

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

VAISALA

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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