Award

Development of enhanced glass blown rubidium cells for UK tactical atomic clocks

DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

17 Mar 2026 at 09:53

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology recently concluded a procurement process for the development of enhanced glass blown rubidium cells for UK tactical atomic clocks. This contract falls under the category of laboratory, optical, and precision equipment, with the Department situated at 22 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2EG. HCD Research, an SME based in Burgess Hill, has been identified as the supplier for this project. The tender was awarded under a direct award method, with the rationale being the limited availability of glass blowing expertise in the UK. The procurement stage is complete, with the award notice published on 17th March 2026. The contract is scheduled to start on 19th March 2026 and conclude by the end of the same month.

This procurement opportunity presents growth potential for businesses involved in laboratory and precision equipment manufacturing. SMEs, in particular, can benefit by showcasing their specialised capabilities in glass blowing and atomic clock technology, which are critical for this project. The contract allows HCD Research to bolster its technological advancements within the UK, creating sovereign capability in manufacturing vapour cells and rubidium standards. Businesses with expertise in rubidium frequency products or those looking to expand in the optical precision equipment sector would be well-suited to engage in similar opportunities in the future. The focus on direct awards emphasises the need for suppliers with niche technical skills, underscoring a lucrative niche in glass and rubidium technologies for tactical applications.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Development of enhanced glass blown rubidium cells for UK tactical atomic clocks

Notice Description

Project to provide UK sovereign capability in both manufacturing the glass blown shapes for vapour cells and rubidium standards for use in atomic clocks.

Procurement Information

There is a lack of glass blowing expertise in the UK to manufacture the glass shapes for vapour cells. HCD Research designs and manufactures various rubidium frequency products. The project's aim with is to provide UK sovereign capability in both manufacturing the glass blown shapes for vapour cells and rubidium standards for use in atomic clocks. HCD Research Ltd will develop the new technology and capability in the UK, to UK standards.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066bc5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023846-2026
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

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

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£49,500 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Mar 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
17 Mar 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
19 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
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2EG
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

HCD RESEARCH

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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