Award

Purchase of CL61 Ceilometer Lidars

MET OFFICE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

13 Mar 2026 at 15:17

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Met Office awarded a contract for the purchase of two CL61 Ceilometer Lidars under the direct award procurement method, as stipulated by the Procurement Act 2023 due to technical reasons and the lack of reasonable alternatives. This contract is part of the 'award' stage in the procurement process, dated 13 March 2026. The project is categorised under meteorological instruments, with delivery in the United Kingdom. The contract period is set to begin on 1 April 2026 and end on 31 March 2036. VAISALA LIMITED has been identified as the supplier, highlighting the niche technical requirements involved in this award. A milestone for future signature date is scheduled for 27 March 2026.

This tender can significantly propel business growth, particularly for companies specialising in meteorological instruments and similar technical equipment. It offers a substantial opportunity for SMEs aligned with the industry category, although in this instance, a unique supplier has been acknowledged due to technical specifications. Businesses with expertise in supplying highly specialised equipment may find similar tenders advantageous, allowing them to showcase their capabilities to central government public authorities like the Met Office. Such tenders, albeit limited in competition, provide avenues for businesses to expand their portfolio by adhering to specific technical standards required by public sector organisations.

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Notice Information

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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066a27
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023114-2026
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

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
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Mar 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
13 Mar 2026Yesterday
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2036 Over 5 years
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
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)

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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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