Scope
Reference
DN773233
Description
This procurement is for the supply and delivery of a Radar Antenna for C-Band Weather Radar, including a fully comprehensive 12-month warranty period commencing on the date of delivery at the Met Office installation site.
The requirement of a new weather radar in East Anglia is based on recommendations to improve the quality and coverage of the Met Office weather radar network. The Environment Agency, which jointly funds the radar network in England and Wales, places great importance on weather radar data as an input to flood forecasting schemes. The rainfall estimates from the weather radar network combined with other data sources are fed through to the flood risk models that are run by the Environment Agency. Improvements in the quality of the initial estimates of rainfall are therefore reflected in the output of the flood forecast models, and this feeds through to the accuracy and the lead times of the warnings and advice that are issued.
Serious flood events prior to the 2001 review had raised concerns as to whether the existing radar network met the Met Office and Environment Agency's requirements in terms of quality of coverage. As a result, the Weather Radar Network Review project was sponsored by the Environment Agency and the Met Office to review the quality of radar coverage and recommend how the network could be most effectively improved.
A weather radar in East Anglia will help improve the accuracy of the observations and forecasts by improving the coverage of 1-2km resolution radar data over East Anglia and to the north of London.
This is a one-off requirement for a dual polarisation C-band parabolic antenna. It needs to meet specific requirements as it has a significant impact on the overall radar performance and is not easily changed once installed.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £189,115 excluding VAT
- £226,938 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
20 August 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 21 August 2025 to 20 February 2027
- 1 year, 6 months
Main procurement category
Goods
Additional procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 32352100 - Parts of radio and radar equipment
- 35722000 - Radar
- 38100000 - Navigational and meteorological instruments
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
Switching to direct award
A procurement was carried out under PCR 2015 using the Open procedure. Following the evaluation process the Met Office were unable to award the contract as no suitable tenders had been received. The recommendation was to abandon that procurement under PCR15 and carry out a direct award under Reg 41 of PA2023.
Supplier
STEATITE LIMITED
- Companies House: 04403746
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPWV-6449-MJZG
Steatite Ltd, Acanthus Road, Ravensbank Business Park,
Redditch,
B98 9EX
United Kingdom
Email: communications@steatite.co.uk
Website: http://www.steatite.co.uk
Region: UKG12 - Worcestershire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
Met Office
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVZW-3234-DTLY
Met Office
Exeter
EX1 3PB
United Kingdom
Region: UKK43 - Devon CC
Organisation type: Public authority - central government