Award

Refurbishment of Volcanic Ash LiDARs

MET OFFICE

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

26 Mar 2026 at 15:15

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

17 Mar 2026 at 13:11

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

16 Mar 2026 at 12:46

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Met Office has finalised a direct procurement contract for the refurbishment of Volcanic Ash LiDARS, a key component of the Volcanic Ash Observer Network. This procurement, classified under public authority central government, was awarded to RAYMETRICS SA, recognised for specialising in meteorological instruments. The contract was signed on 26 March 2026, with services commencing from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2036. Located in Exeter, the procurement process followed the direct award method due to technical reasons, with no viable alternatives for the goods needed. The contract is valued at €2,500,000, reflecting the importance of maintaining essential meteorological functions at the Met Office.

This tender offers significant business growth opportunities for enterprises capable of offering niche technical services where competition is limited. Companies specialising in meteorological technology, particularly those capable of handling proprietary equipment like LiDARS, or SMEs with similar technical prowess, could potentially position themselves for future opportunities following this procurement approach. The direct award method underscores the importance of unique technical capabilities and expertise that such businesses might leverage to secure similar contracts and contribute to advancements in meteorological observations.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Refurbishment of Volcanic Ash LiDARs

Notice Description

Refurbishment of Volcanic Ash LiDARs forming part of the Volcanic Ash Observer Network

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-066af7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028057-2026
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
£2,500,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£2,500,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Mar 20262 weeks 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

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

RAYMETRICS

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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