Planning

1D Measurement Beam

NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

30 Apr 2026 at 09:23

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NPL Management Limited, a public undertaking based at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, UK, is in the planning stage of procuring a high-precision motion stage system titled "1D Measurement Beam". This project falls under the Laboratory, Optical, and Precision Equipments industry category. NPL seeks to assess market interest through a preliminary engagement, with a focus on suppliers capable of delivering a motion stage system integrated into a stable beam material, like Granite or Silicon Carbide, for high-accuracy measurements. Interested suppliers are invited to participate in this market engagement, with responses due by 17:00 on Monday, 27th April 2026. The project is expected to progress towards the issuance of a formal tender notice after the market engagement phase concludes.

This tender presents growth opportunities for businesses in the fields of precision engineering, motion control systems, and advanced manufacturing. SMEs and VCSEs are particularly well-suited to engage with the requirements outlined in the procurement process due to its focus on specialized equipment and innovation. Companies that supply equipment with high precision and can demonstrate compliance with UKCA or CE standards will benefit from this agreement, potentially expanding their expertise and market reach within the UK and beyond. The contract period is scheduled to commence in November 2026, lasting until the end of October 2027, offering substantial duration for strategic business planning and execution.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

1D Measurement Beam

Notice Description

National Physical Laboratory (NPL), is seeking a motion stage system with 2 carriages integrated into a single beam of low CTE stable material similar to those used in high accuracy co-ordinate measurement machines, either Granite or Silicon Carbide. The figure below shows an example of the dimensions of a potential arrangement for the system. The design and development of the system is expected to follow a standard development lifecycle with a design review with NPL present to ensure the system will match the requirements and can be integrated into the wider system. The supplier will provide a copy of the relevant technical file for the solution in line with the appropriate legal requirements to be UKCA or CE compliant. NPL is seeking engagement from suppliers who have capability to provide a solution to the following requirements: * An integrated slide/Motion axis/Motion Stage on a structural beam with appropriate mounting arrangements. * A very stable slide or motion axis with in-position noise levels of 1 nanometre rms. * slide should have pitch and yaw errors of maximum 50+/- microradians. * There should be 2 carriages on the motion stage/slide, each having an operating envelope of 2300 mm or more. * The carriages should be controlled to an incremental motion of 1 micron or less, with an integrated linear encoder to detect position into the nanometer scale. * The carriages are expected to carry a payload of 10 kgs. * All cable management should be integrated into the solution with the ability to add up to 4 additional signal cables. * The carriages will move at low speeds in the range of 1 micron to 25mm per second and accelerations of at least 1 m/s2 * The slide to include an inbuilt linear encoder with a 1 nanometre resolution. * The controller for the system should be provided with an interface be controlled via LabVIEW software. This is not an evaluation exercise and nothing in this activity will limit the opportunity to engage in any follow on ITT.

Planning Information

Prior to initiating the procurement, NPL wishes to establish the level of market interest in the forthcoming procurement process. Suitably qualified and experienced suppliers who may have an interest in this project are invited to register for this Preliminary Market Engagement. The purpose of the market engagement is to help assess the reaction of the market, to understand risks and future possibilities to ensure a future proofed procurement strategy and resulting contract. Any submission received in response to this exercise will not constitute any contractual agreement between the respondent and NPL. Nor does the receipt of a response automatically include the respondent in the procurement process. A Tender Notice will be issued to the market which will provide details of how the relating procurement documentation can be accessed and timescales for submission of the said tender response. Interested parties shall bear their own costs of participation in this Market Engagement of whatever nature. NPL shall not be liable for the costs, expenses or losses howsoever arising (including, without limitation, any loss of profit or other economic loss incurred), regardless of the outcome of the Market Engagement. The next stage in the process will be considered once this exercise has been completed. If you have any questions, or would like to provide a response to the above, please email etenders@npl.co.uk to request a Preliminary Market Engagement Supplier Questionnaire "FOR RESPONSES" excel spreadsheet. Please return all responses by 17.00, Monday 27th April 2026

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068ee2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039680-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

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
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Apr 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Apr 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 31 Oct 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
TEDDINGTON
Postcode
TW11 0LW
Post Town
Twickenham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI7 Outer London - West and North West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI75 Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Richmond upon Thames
Electoral Ward
Teddington
Westminster Constituency
Twickenham

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-068ee2-2026-04-30T10:23:43+01:00",
    "date": "2026-04-30T10:23:43+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-068ee2",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-02937881",
            "name": "NPL Management Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "02937881"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PYDB-8862-JBYM"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "National Physical Laboratory",
                "locality": "Teddington",
                "postalCode": "TW11 0LW",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKI75"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "etenders@npl.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.npl.co.uk",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicUndertaking",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public undertaking"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-COH-02937881",
        "name": "NPL Management Limited"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "Prior to initiating the procurement, NPL wishes to establish the level of market interest in the forthcoming procurement process. Suitably qualified and experienced suppliers who may have an interest in this project are invited to register for this Preliminary Market Engagement. The purpose of the market engagement is to help assess the reaction of the market, to understand risks and future possibilities to ensure a future proofed procurement strategy and resulting contract. Any submission received in response to this exercise will not constitute any contractual agreement between the respondent and NPL. Nor does the receipt of a response automatically include the respondent in the procurement process. A Tender Notice will be issued to the market which will provide details of how the relating procurement documentation can be accessed and timescales for submission of the said tender response. Interested parties shall bear their own costs of participation in this Market Engagement of whatever nature. NPL shall not be liable for the costs, expenses or losses howsoever arising (including, without limitation, any loss of profit or other economic loss incurred), regardless of the outcome of the Market Engagement. The next stage in the process will be considered once this exercise has been completed. If you have any questions, or would like to provide a response to the above, please email etenders@npl.co.uk to request a Preliminary Market Engagement Supplier Questionnaire \"FOR RESPONSES\" excel spreadsheet. Please return all responses by 17.00, Monday 27th April 2026",
                "dueDate": "2026-04-30T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "039680-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039680-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-30T10:23:43+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-068ee2",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "1D Measurement Beam",
        "description": "National Physical Laboratory (NPL), is seeking a motion stage system with 2 carriages integrated into a single beam of low CTE stable material similar to those used in high accuracy co-ordinate measurement machines, either Granite or Silicon Carbide. The figure below shows an example of the dimensions of a potential arrangement for the system. The design and development of the system is expected to follow a standard development lifecycle with a design review with NPL present to ensure the system will match the requirements and can be integrated into the wider system. The supplier will provide a copy of the relevant technical file for the solution in line with the appropriate legal requirements to be UKCA or CE compliant. NPL is seeking engagement from suppliers who have capability to provide a solution to the following requirements: * An integrated slide/Motion axis/Motion Stage on a structural beam with appropriate mounting arrangements. * A very stable slide or motion axis with in-position noise levels of 1 nanometre rms. * slide should have pitch and yaw errors of maximum 50+/- microradians. * There should be 2 carriages on the motion stage/slide, each having an operating envelope of 2300 mm or more. * The carriages should be controlled to an incremental motion of 1 micron or less, with an integrated linear encoder to detect position into the nanometer scale. * The carriages are expected to carry a payload of 10 kgs. * All cable management should be integrated into the solution with the ability to add up to 4 additional signal cables. * The carriages will move at low speeds in the range of 1 micron to 25mm per second and accelerations of at least 1 m/s2 * The slide to include an inbuilt linear encoder with a 1 nanometre resolution. * The controller for the system should be provided with an interface be controlled via LabVIEW software. This is not an evaluation exercise and nothing in this activity will limit the opportunity to engage in any follow on ITT.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "38000000",
                        "description": "Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-11-01T00:00:00Z",
                    "endDate": "2027-10-31T23:59:59Z"
                },
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}