Scope
Description
NPL will create new semiconductor metrology capabilities to improve the UK's infrastructure for pre-competitive semiconductor innovation, supporting investment and growth in next-generation materials and processes. The project will create metrology capability to support the manufacture of advanced semiconductor materials for end use in power electronics, radio frequency (RF) communications, and optoelectronics.
New capabilities will be hosted at NPL and academic partners and made available to UK industry to de-risk investments, support growth, and secure access to international markets.
Contract 1. Semiconductor Metrology
Supplier
Contract value
- £1,200,000 excluding VAT
- £1,200,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
22 September 2025
Contract dates
- 22 September 2025 to 31 March 2026
- 6 months, 9 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73110000 - Research services
Justification for not setting key performance indicators
Not more than £5M including VAT and contract is for specialist research which would be hard to set applicable KPIs
Signed contract documents
NPL REDACTED.pdf
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
- Prototypes and development
- Single supplier - technical reasons
NPL holds sovereign authority under the Metre Convention (Convention du Mètre), an international treaty signed by the UK in 1884. This treaty designates a single National Metrology Institute (NMI) per country to ensure the integrity and international comparability of measurement standards. In the UK, NPL is the designated NMI, which means it is the only body legally empowered to develop and maintain national measurement standards across most domains
Supplier
NPL Management Limited
- Companies House: 02937881
Hampton Road
Teddington
TW11 0LW
United Kingdom
Email: steve.reynolds@npl.co.uk
Region: UKI75 - Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Semiconductor Metrology
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