Development of enhanced glass blown rubidium cells for UK tactical atomic clocks

Official notice

Authority: Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (Central government)

Below threshold - without competition

Sectors: Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) (38) Delivery: UK

Awarded value£49,500published contract · exc. VAT

Awarded 25 Mar 2026no call for competition

Awarded to HCD Research

What is being bought

Published requirement description

Project to provide UK sovereign capability in both manufacturing the glass blown shapes for vapour cells and rubidium standards for use in atomic clocks.

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published

Lot #1Awarded

Delivery: UK

38000000 Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record

Procedure method: Below threshold - without competition
Legal basis: UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Notice status: Awarded without competition
Procurement threshold: Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime: Standard
Commercial structure: Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type: Direct award (no call for competition)
GPA / WTO covered: Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement: Unspecified in notice
First published: 7 Apr 2026, 10:27 BST
Last source update: 7 Apr 2026, 10:27 BST
FTS notice number: 2026/S 000-031302
Latest notice: Contract details notice (UK7)
Delivery area: UK
Official registry OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-067ca6 Find a Tender

Notice history

1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender

Contract details notice published
7 Apr 2026, 10:27 BST
UK7

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast

Awards 1

Awarded value £49,5001 contract exc. VAT

Contracts signed 1latest 25 Mar 2026

Awarded to	Value	Date	Status
HCD ResearchSME	£49,500 †	—	Awarded

Contracts

Development of enhanced glass blown rubidium cells for UK tactical atomic clocks · HCD ResearchSME
Signed
25 Mar 2026
Value
£49,500
Period
26 Mar 2026 – 31 Mar 2026
Status
active

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

Contracting authorityPublic authority - central government GB-PPON: PVWZ-3216-PVQL 22 Whitehall, London, London, SW1A 2EGContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice

HCD ResearchAwarded supplier 179 Junction Road, Burgess Hill, South East, RH15 0JWContact email

Official documents & specifications (1)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender7 Apr 2026, 10:27 BST