Scope
Reference
prj_5458
Description
DSIT conducted National Measurement System (NMS) Programme market engagement activities from 20th August 2025 to 3rd September 2025 during which no alternative suppliers expressed an interest in delivering one of the proposed 9 separate NMS programmes in their entirety.
DSIT therefore took the decision to retain the existing, aggregated contract structure of NMS for the multi-year period from 1st April 2026 onwards, in order to drive operational efficiencies, reduce administrative overheads, and create additional capacity with which to address wider business needs.
Future NMS Programme iterations will conduct similar market engagement opportunities to explore the market’s appetite to deliver all, or some, of the NMS programmes.
Contract 1. DSIT NMS - NPL Energy and Environment
Supplier
Contract value
- £362,775,093 excluding VAT
- £435,330,112 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
30 March 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029
- Possible extension to 31 March 2030
- 4 years
Description of possible extension:
Extension
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 71900000 - Laboratory services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
- Prototypes and development
- Single supplier - intellectual property or exclusive rights
- Single supplier - technical reasons
DSIT conducted National Measurement System (NMS) Programme market engagement activities from 20th August 2025 to 3rd September 2025 during which no alternative suppliers expressed an interest in delivering one of the proposed 9 separate NMS programmes in their entirety.
DSIT therefore took the decision to retain the existing, aggregated contract structure of NMS for the multi-year period from 1st April 2026 onwards, in order to drive operational efficiencies, reduce administrative overheads, and create additional capacity with which to address wider business needs.
Future NMS Programme iterations will conduct similar market engagement opportunities to explore the market’s appetite to deliver all, or some, of the NMS programmes.
Supplier
National Physical Laboratory
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYDB-8862-JBYM
Hampton Road, Teddington
Middlesex
TW11 0LW
United Kingdom
Email: peter.thompson@npl.co.uk
Region: UKI75 - Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. DSIT NMS - NPL Energy and Environment
Contracting authority
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVWZ-3216-PVQL
22 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2EG
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government