---
title: "Awarded Invitation To Tender - Supply of Frequency Comb Systems"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-e62cece1-8733-4cdb-97f8-398837072449"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-e62cece1-8733-4cdb-97f8-398837072449"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e62cece1-8733-4cdb-97f8-398837072449.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e62cece1-8733-4cdb-97f8-398837072449.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY"
published: "2021-04-07"
---

# Awarded Invitation To Tender - Supply of Frequency Comb Systems

Buyer: NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-e62cece1-8733-4cdb-97f8-398837072449

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## Summary

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has awarded a contract for the supply of Frequency Comb Systems, a critical component of the UK's quantum technologies programme, which will enhance national time scale infrastructure and support new testing and evaluation facilities. The tender was open with a procurement method classified as an "open procedure" above the threshold. The procurement process has completed, with the award date being 16th March 2021 and the contract set to commence on 31st March 2021, lasting until 1st April 2026. The contract is based in Teddington, London, under the category of Laboratory, optical and precision equipment (excluding glasses).

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities for companies specialising in laboratory and optical equipment, particularly those capable of supplying advanced technology compatible with ultrastable laser systems and optical lattice clocks. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are specifically encouraged to participate, making this an ideal opportunity for innovators and manufacturers in the high-tech sector. Suppliers interested in engaging with public sector projects focusing on quantum technologies would find this tender particularly relevant.

## Notice

The combs will be part of future national time scale infrastructure, as well as test and evaluation facilities and services being set up as part of the UK quantum technologies programme. For this reason, they must be able to operate independently and continuously (24/7) with minimal downtime for maintenance. The purpose is to enable greater flexibility and agility in NPL's frequency measurement and characterisation services, while simultaneously developing the new infrastructure required to support a future redefinition of the second. The setups need to work in tandem with ultrastable laser systems, optical lattice clocks and fibre networking capability in the AQML to support international collaborations and so must be compatible with these technologies. A full and detailed specification of our requirements for each individual comb is provided in separate lots as outlined in the ITT documents.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1252215e-2e1a-4d8c-a4a9-7e65db12839a |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 7 Apr 2021 |
| Submission deadline | 5 Mar 2021 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 16 Mar 2021 |
| Contract period | 30 Mar 2021 - 1 Apr 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £941,770 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY |
| Locality | TEDDINGTON |
| Post town | Twickenham |
| Postcode | TW11 0LW |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI7 Outer London - West and North West |
| ITL 3 | TLI75 Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames |
| Local authority | Richmond upon Thames |
| Electoral ward | Teddington |
| Westminster constituency | Twickenham |
| Delivery location | TLI London |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | MENLO SYSTEMS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 7 Apr 2021 at 15:39 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1252215e-2e1a-4d8c-a4a9-7e65db12839a

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1252215e-2e1a-4d8c-a4a9-7e65db12839a
  7th April 2021 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-e62cece1-8733-4cdb-97f8-398837072449. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e62cece1-8733-4cdb-97f8-398837072449.json.