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High-Precision laboratory-based laser absorption spectrometer

NPL Management Limited

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

17 Jul 2026 at 11:47

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

30 Apr 2026 at 13:28

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

30 Apr 2026 at 13:12

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NPL Management Limited, based at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, procured a high-precision laboratory-based laser absorption spectrometer. The equipment is intended to measure carbon and hydrogen isotope ratios in methane, specifically δ13C-CH4 and δD-CH4, together with methane amount fraction in atmospheric air. The requirement is for a single analyser to perform these measurements directly and simultaneously, rather than using multiple analysers or alternative measurement approaches. This is a goods procurement for specialist laboratory, optical and precision equipment, with delivery in the United Kingdom. The buyer is a public undertaking operating through the National Physical Laboratory.

The procurement is complete and was awarded through a direct award on technical grounds, on the basis that a single supplier could meet the combined measurement requirement within one analyser. Aerodyne Research, Inc. was awarded the contract on 30 April 2026. The award value was USD 332,900 gross, while the signed contract value was USD 304,900 gross. The contract was signed on 11 June 2026 and runs from 11 June 2026 to 18 March 2027. One lot was completed. A standstill period ended on 12 May 2026, and the award milestone for signature was due on 18 May 2026. The contract is active.

This award demonstrates demand from NPL Management Limited for highly specialised atmospheric methane measurement equipment used in a laboratory environment. A credible future competitor would need to provide a laser absorption spectrometer capable of directly and simultaneously measuring carbon and hydrogen methane isotope ratios and methane amount fraction in air through one integrated analyser. The procurement indicates that equivalent functionality delivered through several analysers or alternative measurement methods would not satisfy the requirement. Suppliers should therefore be able to demonstrate precise isotope-ratio and methane-concentration measurement, suitability for specialist laboratory use, and the capability to supply, install and commission the equipment. Experience delivering comparable high-precision analytical instruments to research or metrology organisations would strengthen their position.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

High-Precision laboratory-based laser absorption spectrometer

Notice Description

Procurement of a high-precision laboratory-based laser absorption spectrometer for the direct and simultaneous measurement of carbon and hydrogen isotope ratios (d13C-CH4 and dD-CH4) and methane amount fraction in air using a single analyser.

Procurement Information

Single supplier - technical reasons The contract is proposed as a direct award because only one supplier can provide a laboratory-based laser absorption spectrometer that enables the direct and simultaneous measurement of carbon and hydrogen isotope ratios of methane and methane amount fraction in an atmospheric air sample within a single analyser. Other instrument suppliers do not offer equivalent functionality within one system and would require multiple analysers or alternative measurement approaches. As a result, there is no reasonable alternative solution that meets the technical and operational requirements of the contracting party.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068f3d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067696-2026
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
Not specified
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
£332,900 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£304,900 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
30 Apr 20264 months ago
Contract Period
11 Jun 2026 - 18 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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
Postcode Area
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Aerodyne Research, Inc.

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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