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National Timing Centre (NTC) Delivery Programme 2

DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

14 Jul 2026 at 11:46

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Planning

09 Jul 2026 at 14:40

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The "National Timing Centre (NTC) Delivery Programme 2" procurement process, managed by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, is a significant undertaking within the communications infrastructure sector, specifically focusing on building and operating a resilient and high-quality terrestrial Timing Signal. Based in London, UK, the buying organisation has completed this direct award on 14th July 2026, following the planning stage announced on 9th July 2026. The procurement method, classified as a direct award, was selected due to the absence of competition for technical reasons, with the National Physical Laboratory as the sole supplier. The contract for this project is valued at £180 million and is scheduled from 31st July 2026 to 31st March 2030.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for growth, particularly for businesses engaged in the communications infrastructure sector. While the procurement was awarded directly due to unique technical capabilities, companies in the field can gain insights into the requirements and standards expected by government bodies, potentially positioning themselves for future collaborations or similar projects. Organisations with substantial technical expertise in providing sovereign and sustainable technology solutions may find pursuing future tenders in this niche advantageous.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

National Timing Centre (NTC) Delivery Programme 2

Notice Description

National Timing Centre (NTC) Delivery Programme 2. The programme will build and operate an NTC to provide a resilient, terrestrial, sovereign, sustainable, and high-quality Timing Signal

Procurement Information

Direct Award is made on the basis that NPL are the sole provider for technical reasons under Schedule 5, paragraph 6 of the Procurement Act 2023 - The following conditions are met in relation to the public contract - (a)due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, 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-06c7d3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066157-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

CPV Codes

32571000 - Communications infrastructure

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£180,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£180,000,000 £100M-£1B
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Jul 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
13 Jul 2026Expired
Award Date
14 Jul 2026Yesterday
Contract Period
30 Jul 2026 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 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
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

NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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