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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

National Standard Force Calibration Machine

NPL Management Limited · Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 1 Oct 2026, 23:45.

Opportunity overview

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.

Classification

  • CPV31000000 — Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting
  • CPV38000000 — Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
  • CPV50000000 — Repair and maintenance services

Lots

  • Lot 1Value not stated

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
ocds-h6vhtk-06990d
Main Procurement Category
goods
Above Threshold
Yes
Status
planning

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Has Renewal
Yes
Status
planning

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Contract period

Starts
28 Sept 2026, 00:00
Ends
27 Sept 2029, 23:59
Max Extent Date
27 Sept 2031, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
31000000
Description
Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
38000000
Description
Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
50000000
Description
Repair and maintenance services

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Planning and budget

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Description
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.
Due
28 May 2026, 23:59
Status
scheduled

Documents

Entry 1
Id
044507-2026
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Published
14 May 2026, 15:53
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
NPL Management Limited
Id
GB-COH-02937881

Identifier

Scheme
GB-COH
Id
02937881

Additional Identifiers

Entry 1
Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PYDB-8862-JBYM

Address

Street Address
National Physical Laboratory
Locality
Teddington
Postal Code
TW11 0LW
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKI75

Contact

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicUndertaking
Description
Public undertaking

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Teddington · UKI75 · TW11 0LW · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UK · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. 044507-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·