---
title: "Deployment and Translation of a set of hydrophones and test panels into an underwater acoustic facility."
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-066d26"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066d26"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066d26.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066d26.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED"
published: "2026-03-18"
---

# Deployment and Translation of a set of hydrophones and test panels into an underwater acoustic facility.

Buyer: NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-066d26

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## Summary

NPL Management Limited is initiating a procurement process for the "Deployment and Translation of a set of hydrophones and test panels into an underwater acoustic facility" with a focus on laboratory, industrial machinery, and engineering services. The procurement is currently at the planning stage, with preliminary market engagement scheduled until 3rd April 2026, inviting expressions of interest from qualified suppliers. Located in Teddington, UK, this public procurement exercise is valued at £200,000 (excluding VAT) and seeks innovative solutions for precise underwater acoustic measurements. The engagement aims to understand market capabilities before moving to an Invitation to Tender under the Flexible Procedure.

This contract presents a significant business opportunity, particularly for firms engaged in laboratory and precision equipment or industrial machinery. SMEs and VCSEs are encouraged to participate, as the process strives to be inclusive and leverage diverse expertise. Companies providing high-precision engineering solutions or those capable of integrating advanced control software compatible with LabVIEW would find this tender aligned with their capabilities. Participation in this tender can stimulate business growth through potential partnerships and help firms expand their footprint in the public sector, offering solutions to technologically advanced challenges.

## Notice

NPL is seeking a solution for the deployment and translation of a set of hydrophones and test panels into an underwater acoustic facility. The facility is an underwater acoustic calibration tank consisting of a large wooden vessel (5.5m in diameter and 4.7m deep) filled with potted water. The calibration activities will be performed with either 2 or 3 hydrophones and a test panel deployed at the mid-depth point of the vessel. The hydrophones and test panel are mounted at the end of carbon fibre poles. The design of the poles is flexible and may be adjusted to the solution (this will be the responsibility of NPL). The schematic and model of the facility are available upon request by emailing etenders@npl.co.uk depict a desired concept solution including dimensions, room features and required specifications for the carriage system and interlocks. The facility is operated from the first floor and the water tank expands through both the ground and first floor. The size of the room cannot be altered, but modifications to the concrete floor and steel framework are feasible for attachment/fixing of the carriage system solution. NPL has conducted initial research into possible solutions such as carriage systems. NPL is open to explore different solutions to meet the requirements below. NPL is seeking engagement from suppliers who have capability to provide a solution to the following requirements: * The solution must be able to deploy the hydrophones and test panels into the water tank. The solution must be able to mount either existing carbon fibre poles or, with a suitable adaptor, large acoustic test panels. NPL will be responsible for the design and manufacture of the poles and adaptors, but the solution must provide a common mounting flange (to be agreed during the design phase). * The solution must be able to translate the mounting flange in X, Y & Z, and rotate about Z. * The required accuracy and precision of the solution is as below (these parameters can be relaxed upon agreement): o X, Y & Z precision: +-0.5mm o Z-rotation precision: +-0.1deg o Maximum X, Y & Z linearity/orthogonality deviation: 0.5mm o Repeatability of position: 0.1mm o Minimum linear movement (scanning step): 0.5mm o Minimum speed: 0.06m/min o Maximum speed: 30m/min * The solution must have a minimum payload capability of 50kg in two of the three carriages, and a minimum payload capability of 300kg in one of the three carriages. * The solution must be able to lift the flange out of the water to the loading position at a defined height as shown in the model. * The solution must provide the following interlocks: o Interlock door from laboratory space to loading area o Interlock door from loading area to open water space * The solution control software should be compatible with LabVIEW (others considered) * The supplier must demonstrate that the solution complies with, as a minimum but not limited to, Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC), Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) and Electrical Safety EN 60204. * Design aspects such as the location of the solution control hub and operator, power and structural requirements, and IP rating will be determined during the design phase. This is not an evaluation exercise and nothing in this activity will limit the opportunity to engage in any follow-on ITT.

### Planning Information

Prior to initiating the procurement, NPL wishes to establish the level of market interest in the forthcoming procurement process.
Suitably qualified and experienced suppliers who may have an interest in this project are invited to register for this Preliminary Market Engagement.
The purpose of the market engagement is to help assess the reaction of the market, to understand risks and future possibilities to ensure a future proofed procurement strategy and resulting contract.
Any submission received in response to this exercise will not constitute any contractual agreement between the respondent and NPL. Nor does the receipt of a response automatically include the respondent in the procurement process.
A Tender Notice will be issued to the market which will provide details of how the relating procurement documentation can be accessed and timescales for submission of the said tender response.
Interested parties shall bear their own costs of participation in this Market Engagement of whatever nature. NPL shall not be liable for the costs, expenses or losses howsoever arising (including, without limitation, any loss of profit or other economic loss incurred), regardless of the outcome of the Market Engagement.
The next stage in the process will be considered once this exercise has been completed.
Questions
Your Organisation
1. What is your organisation's name?
2. What is your name and role at the organisation?
3. Please Provide a brief description of your Organisation 
4. Please provide the location (s) of your organisations operational facilities (eg headquarters, manufacturing site).
Capabilities
5. Does your organisation have the capability to deliver a solution in line with the requirements described in the Scope section of this document.
a. If yes, please provide an estimated lead time for delivery from the point of contract award.
b. Are there any current or upcoming commitments, capacity constraints, or resource limitations that may affect your ability to submit an offer or deliver the project.
Scope Delivery & Budget Alignment
6. Would your organisation be able to deliver the full project scope independently?
If not, please specify which elements would require sub-contracting and identify any anticipated delivery partners (if known).
7. Are there any risks, issues, or opportunities that you believe NPL should consider in relation to the delivery of this project?
8. NPL's estimated budget for this project is £200,000 excluding VAT. Please confirm if delivery within this budget is feasible. If not please provide an indicative budget for a project of this nature.
Route to Market, Contractual Terms & Timescales
9. NPL intends to conduct the Invitation to Tender (ITT) under the Flexible Procedure.
Would your organisation be interested in participating via this route to market? If not please outline any concerns or barriers
10. Are there any contract terms or commercial conditions that your organisation would consider unacceptable, or any terms that if not included would deter your participation?
Other Considerations
11. Are there any residual risks / recommendations / issues that you think we should consider when drafting the scope and the procurement strategy for this project?
If you have any questions, or would like to provide a response to the above, please email etenders@npl.co.uk to request a Preliminary Market Engagement Supplier Questionnaire "FOR RESPONSES" excel spreadsheet.
Please return all responses by 17.00, Friday 3rd April 2026

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024440-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 18 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 3 Apr 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 29 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £200,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED |
| 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 | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 42 - Industrial machinery
- 51 - Installation services (except software)
- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 42000000 - Industrial machinery
- 51000000 - Installation services (except software)
- 71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

## Release History

- 18 Mar 2026 at 10:36 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024440-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024440-2026
  18th March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.npl.co.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-066d26. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066d26.json.