---
title: "Refurbishment of Volcanic Ash LiDARs"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-066af7"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066af7"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066af7.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066af7.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MET OFFICE"
published: "2026-03-26"
---

# Refurbishment of Volcanic Ash LiDARs

Buyer: MET OFFICE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-066af7

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066af7)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066af7.json)

## Summary

The Met Office has finalised a direct procurement contract for the refurbishment of Volcanic Ash LiDARS, a key component of the Volcanic Ash Observer Network. This procurement, classified under public authority central government, was awarded to RAYMETRICS SA, recognised for specialising in meteorological instruments. The contract was signed on 26 March 2026, with services commencing from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2036. Located in Exeter, the procurement process followed the direct award method due to technical reasons, with no viable alternatives for the goods needed. The contract is valued at €2,500,000, reflecting the importance of maintaining essential meteorological functions at the Met Office.

This tender offers significant business growth opportunities for enterprises capable of offering niche technical services where competition is limited. Companies specialising in meteorological technology, particularly those capable of handling proprietary equipment like LiDARS, or SMEs with similar technical prowess, could potentially position themselves for future opportunities following this procurement approach. The direct award method underscores the importance of unique technical capabilities and expertise that such businesses might leverage to secure similar contracts and contribute to advancements in meteorological observations.

## Notice

Refurbishment of Volcanic Ash LiDARs forming part of the Volcanic Ash Observer Network

### Procurement Information

The conditions of Paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023, have been met in relation to an award of a public contract (a) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, i.e. 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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028057-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 26 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 16 Mar 2026 |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2036 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £2,500,000 |
| Contracts value | £2,500,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MET OFFICE |
| Locality | EXETER |
| Post town | Exeter |
| Postcode | EX1 3PB |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK4 Devon |
| ITL 3 | TLK43 Devon CC |
| Local authority | Exeter |
| Electoral ward | Pinhoe |
| Westminster constituency | Exmouth and Exeter East |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | RAYMETRICS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 38120000 - Meteorological instruments

## Release History

- 26 Mar 2026 at 15:15 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028057-2026
- 17 Mar 2026 at 13:11 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024039-2026
- 16 Mar 2026 at 12:46 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023475-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028057-2026
  26th March 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024039-2026
  17th March 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023475-2026
  16th March 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://WWW.RAYMETRICS.COM
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/

## 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-h6vhtk-066af7. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066af7.json.