--- title: "Manual RF cryogenic probe station with four RF probe arms and cryogen-free operation" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0790d7" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0790d7" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0790d7.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0790d7.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "NPL Management Limited" published: "2026-10-27" --- # Manual RF cryogenic probe station with four RF probe arms and cryogen-free operation Buyer: NPL Management Limited Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0790d7 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0790d7) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0790d7.json) ## Summary NPL Management Limited intends to buy a manual radio-frequency cryogenic probe station for its facility in Teddington. The system must have four installed RF probe arms and operate without liquid cryogens, using a closed-cycle refrigerator. It must reach a base temperature no higher than 5.5 K and allow temperature control from 6 K to 350 K. RF measurements must cover DC to 40 GHz using ground-signal-ground probes, and the station must accommodate samples at least two inches in diameter, with sample-stage vibration below one micrometre. The supply includes a turbomolecular pumping system, microscope with at least 12:1 zoom, probes and calibration substrate. The supplier is also expected to install and verify the equipment and train users. This is at the planning stage: NPL has set out an intention to procure, but has not yet issued an invitation to tender. It plans to use an open procedure, with the next procurement notice expected on 4 January 2027. The stated contract period is 1 February 2027 to 1 February 2028. The estimated value is £310,000 excluding VAT (£372,000 including VAT). The procurement is organised as a single lot. NPL’s preliminary market engagement is intended to gauge supplier interest and inform its procurement strategy; expressions of interest for that engagement are expected by 13 November 2026. Participation costs are borne by suppliers, and responding to the engagement does not guarantee inclusion in the later procurement. This will suit suppliers with experience supplying specialist cryogenic RF measurement equipment, particularly systems using closed-cycle refrigeration and multiple RF probe arms. Bidders should be able to provide the complete system and demonstrate that it meets the demanding temperature, frequency, sample-size and vibration requirements. The work also calls for the capability to install and verify laboratory equipment and train users, so suppliers able to support the equipment through commissioning and handover are well placed. The single-lot scope brings equipment, accessories and installation together in one supply. NPL has indicated that it wants suitably qualified and experienced suppliers to contribute to market engagement, helping shape a future-proofed procurement strategy and contract. Small and medium-sized businesses are identified as suitable to participate. ## Notice NPL require a RF cryogenic probe station with four installed RF probe arms. The system must support cryogen-free operation using a closed cycle refrigerator. The base temperature must not exceed 5.5 K, and the temperature must be controllable from 6 K to 350 K. The system must support RF measurements from DC to 40 GHz using groundsignal- ground (GSG) probes. The system must accommodate samples with a diameter of at least 2 inches. Vibration at the sample stage must be less than 1 micrometre. The system must include all necessary components, including a turbomolecular pumping system, a microscope with a zoom ratio of at least 12:1, probes, and a calibration substrate. The supplier must install and verify the system and provide user training. ### 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. If you have any questions, or would like to register interest to the above, please emailetenders@npl.co.uk to request a Preliminary Market Engagement Supplier Questionnaire. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/101383-2026 | | Notice type | UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 27 Oct 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 4 Jan 2027 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Feb 2027 - 1 Feb 2028 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £310,000 | | Lots value | £310,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | Lots status | Planned | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | NPL Management Limited | | Locality | TEDDINGTON | | Postcode area | 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 - 33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) ### Codes - 33141641 - Probes - 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) ## Release History - 27 Oct 2026 at 10:31 - Planning - UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/101383-2026 - 27 Oct 2026 at 10:18 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/101372-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/101383-2026 27th October 2026 - Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/101372-2026 27th October 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-0790d7. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0790d7.json.