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SmartComb-ULN Compact Optical Frequency Comb

NPL Management Limited

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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31 Jul 2026 at 12:17

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NPL Management Limited, the organisation operating the National Physical Laboratory, procured a compact SmartComb-ULN optical frequency comb metrology system. The requirement is a complete, fully automated, turn-key system in a compact 19-inch, 3U design, together with a BDU-FF fibre-coupled beat detection unit. The detection unit is intended to generate and detect beat signals from an external laser without adjustment, using an all-fibre-coupled opto-mechanical setup configured for a user-defined fixed wavelength. It also includes a high-sensitivity photodetector and electronics for beat-frequency signal amplification and filtering. The equipment is laboratory, optical and precision equipment, to be delivered in the United Kingdom. The buyer is based at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington.

The procurement has reached the awarded stage and the tender is complete. It was a below-threshold procurement with one package. Menlo Systems GmbH, a Germany-based supplier, was selected. The contract was signed on 6 July 2026 and runs from 6 July 2026 to 31 December 2026. Its value is €17,681,000, including gross value as reported. The contract is active. The requirement was treated as a goods purchase and delivered in the United Kingdom. The procurement used the UK legal basis associated with the Procurement Act 2023. The published outcome identifies one active award to Menlo Systems GmbH. No separate evaluation weighting or scoring basis is set out in the procurement data.

This procurement indicates demand for specialist optical metrology equipment rather than general laboratory supplies. Suppliers well placed for a future requirement would need to design, manufacture or integrate optical frequency comb systems, provide fully automated turn-key operation and fit equipment into a compact 19-inch, 3U form factor. Relevant technical capability includes fibre-coupled opto-mechanical assemblies, beat-signal generation and detection with external lasers, fixed-wavelength configuration, high-sensitivity photodetection, and electronics for signal amplification and filtering. Credibility would also depend on supplying a complete system rather than isolated components, and on demonstrating that the equipment can support precision laboratory measurement. Specialist optical instrumentation manufacturers, metrology businesses and technically capable system integrators serving UK research laboratories are the closest comparable supplier group.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

SmartComb-ULN Compact Optical Frequency Comb

Notice Description

SmartComb-ULN Compact Optical Frequency Comb: Complete, fully automated turn-key frequency comb metrology system in a compact 19" 3U design. BDU-FF- Fiber-coupled Beat Detection Unit - Fully fiber-coupled unit for adjustment free beat signal generation and detection with an external laser. Contains all-fiber coupled opto-mechanical setup for a fixed user-defined wavelength, a high sensitivity photodetector, and beat frequency distribution electronics for signal amplification and filtering.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d8b5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072674-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - unknown
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
Not specified
Contracts Value
£17,681,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
6 Jul 2026 - 31 Dec 2026 1-6 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

Menlo Systems GmbH

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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