Award

National Instruments Enterprise Agreement

UK Atomic Energy Authority

UK5: Transparency notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-081875

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-05f395

Published 11 December 2025, 11:36am

Scope

Reference

JNCA/GW185/25

Description

National Instruments (NI) provides software and hardware that is extensively used across UKAEA projects. For much of our hardware-most notably the CompactRIO (cRIO)-NI software is a mandatory component for operation. Key projects that rely on NI tools include H3AT, MRF, HIVE, HIVE-II, CHIMERA, EBW, HiCRIS, and numerous STEP test systems and ELSA. NI software is also integrated into various subsystems on JET and MAST-U. While comprehensive tracking across all projects is limited, it is clear that transitioning away from NI would introduce significant disruption, making only high-level estimates feasible. Additionally, NI tools are widely used by third-party collaborators, such as RACE in partnership with the European Spallation Source (ESS). NI's software suite is widely recognized across engineering and scientific industries and is a standard part of university curricula. Consequently, graduates familiar with NI software are readily available, mitigating training overheads compared with alternative platforms. The requested purchase is an Enterprise Agreement, which provides UKAEA with company-wide access to a comprehensive suite of NI software, technical support, and training (self-paced online courses, exams, and in-person sessions where required).

Contract 1. National Instruments Enterprise Agreement

Supplier

National Instruments

Contract value

£412,977 excluding VAT
£495,572.40 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Earliest date the contract will be signed

1 March 2026

Contract dates (estimated)

1 March 2026 to 28 February 2029
3 years

Main procurement category

Goods

CPV classifications

48100000 - Industry specific software package

Contract locations

UK - United Kingdom

Other information

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes

Procedure

Procedure type

Direct award

Direct award justification

Single supplier - intellectual property or exclusive rights

For creation/acquisition of unique work. If the suppliers' intellectual property or exclusive rights mean only they can supply the work, and no reasonable alternative is available.

Supplier