--- title: "National Standard Force Calibration Machine" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06990d" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06990d" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06990d.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06990d.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED" published: "2026-05-14" --- # National Standard Force Calibration Machine Buyer: NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06990d [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06990d) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06990d.json) ## Summary NPL Management Limited, based in Teddington, United Kingdom, is initiating a procurement process for the development of a National Standard Force Calibration Machine. Classified under industries such as electrical machinery, precision equipment, and repair services, this tender is in the planning stage with a current focus on Preliminary Market Engagement. This exercise will determine market interest and examine potential risks and opportunities, ending notably on 28th May 2026. With a planned contract start date of 28th September 2026, the project aims to develop equipment providing forces up to 12 MN, with procurement valued at £2,500,000—grossing £3,000,000. The contract is particularly suited for SMEs, with the possibility of renewal extending until September 2031. This procurement opportunity offers a substantial pathway for businesses to expand their portfolio by contributing to a state-of-the-art national calibration capability. Ideal candidates for this project include companies with expertise in low-noise servo-hydraulic systems, precision machining for large components, and manufacturing of testing machines, among others. Additionally, businesses with competencies in pressure sensing and weight handling systems will find this an opportune platform to showcase their capabilities and build long-term partnerships with a renowned scientific organisation like NPL. Such collaboration can propel business growth by establishing significant links within the public and precision equipment sectors. ## Notice NPL is seeking to engage with suppliers who can support the development of a new national standard force machine providing applied forces to at least 12 MN (1,200 tonne force) with an accuracy of 0.01% of applied load. We are looking to gain understanding with suppliers of components, systems and engineering integration services likely to be required to progress the design concept of a unique UK test and calibration capability. Our requirements are yet to be fully defined, budget is still to be secured, and at this stage we wish to understand the current art of the possible and explore the feasibility and potential cost of design options. We are keen to talk with organisations with capability aligned to: * Low noise, servo-hydraulic control systems * Precision machining (large metallic components) * Testing machine manufacture * Pressure sensing and pressure control * Weights and weight handling systems 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. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044507-2026 | | 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 | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 14 May 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 28 May 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 27 Sep 2026 - 27 Sep 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £2,500,000 | | 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 - 31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) - 50 - Repair and maintenance services ### Codes - 31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting - 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) - 50000000 - Repair and maintenance services ## Release History - 14 May 2026 at 14:53 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044507-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044507-2026 14th May 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-06990d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06990d.json.