Official UK procurement notice
UAA Small Tank · UK public procurement notice
Authority: NPL Management Limited (Public body)
What is being bought3 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionNPL is seeking a solution for design, development and integration of a new underwater acoustics open tank test facility. This notice is split into lots; stakeholder and supplier management and collaboration will be the responsibility by NPL. All lots will be integrated into a wider system, and the integration activities will be managed by NPL including collaboration between suppliers as required.
The facility will be comprised of an open water tank (Lot A), a water filtration system (Lot B) and a gantry-type positioning and control system (Lot C). Acoustic test panels and hydrophones will be deployed into the open water tank. The test panels and hydrophones are mounted on the control and positioning system to perform material characterisation and hydrophone calibration activities. These activities will take place by scanning test panels and translating the hydrophones in the water.
The schematic block diagram of the facility includes overall room dimensions. Please engage with this notice and NPL Procurement to receive the attachments.
The requirements specification provides all relevant details for the open water tank, water filtration system and positioning and control system. The high-level PBS indicates what NPL Engineering and suppliers will be responsible for; any requirements relevant to the operating room will be the responsibility of NPL Estates which will be managed by NPL internally but are given in this notice as they help to provide context to the wider system. Please engage with this notice and NPL Procurement to receive the attachments.
This is not an evaluation exercise and nothing in this activity will limit the opportunity to engage in any follow on Invitation To Tender.
The specifications in the Lots below is not an exhaustive list and further details will be provided in the tendering documents.
This requirement is structured into three distinct lots. Suppliers are invited to submit their interest on a single lot, any combination of lots, or all lots.
CPV: Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) · Water filtration apparatus · Water tanks
Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure
3 lots · all with a published value (£245,000 together)Lot #1OPEN WATER TANKPlannedPublished value£30,000
NPL is seeking engagement from suppliers who have capability to provide a solution to the following requirements. High-level requirements include:
- The open water tank shall have minimum dimensions of 2m (w) x 2m (h) x 4m (l) and maximum dimensions of 3m (w) x 3m (h) x 5m (l). The open water tank shall have inner faces that are flat and free of flanges. The open water tank shall be constructed of a material such that it is subject to no galvanic activity and that it does not cause acoustic reflections.
- The open water tank shall include water monitoring instrumentation capable of measuring water temperature within ±0.1°C.
- There shall be a head tank from which the open water tank may be filled and topped up.
- The open water tank shall include an overflow prevention mechanism to avoid overfilling and flooding. It shall be possible to fill the open water tank from the head tank and shut off automatically when the required water level is reached. It shall be possible to top up the water level of the open water tank by drawing water from the head tank to make up for the water loss during normal operation. It shall be possible to fully drain the open water tank such that drained water can be directed to the wastewater mains.
Lot #2WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMPlannedPublished value£15,000
NPL is seeking engagement from suppliers who have capability to provide a solution to the following requirements. Parameters may be relaxed upon agreement. Some high-level requirements include:
- The system shall include a water filtration system that is able to filter the water from the head tank into the open water tank.
- The quality of the water after passing through the filters shall be safe for human handling. The filtration system shall use no chemical conditioning. The filtration system shall feature, as a minimum, a UV and physical canister filter.
- The water filtration system shall be able to circulate the full volume of water during out of hours operation (16-hour cycle).
- The water filtration system shall be able to maintain water temperature at the operating room ambient temperature (20±2°C) when circulating the water during out of hours operation. The water filtration system shall also be able to heat up water temperature to 20±2°C when filling the open water tank by drawing water from the head tank.
Lot #3POSITIONING AND CONTROL SYSTEMPlannedPublished value£200,000
NPL is seeking engagement from suppliers who have capability to provide a solution to the following requirements. Parameters may be relaxed upon agreement. Some high-level requirements include:
- The system shall include a 3-axis positioning and control system to support controlled placement, alignment and movement of test panels and hydrophones in and around the open water tank. The system shall be able to support simultaneous but independent operation of multiple axes. All three carriages shall be aligned along the length of the tank when in operational configuration
- The system must be able to translate in X, Y & Z, and rotate about Z (complete 360° rotation). The required accuracy and precision of the solution is as below:
o X, Y & Z precision: ±0.5mm
o Z-rotation precision: ±0.1°
o X, Y & Z repeatability: 0.5mm
o Speed: 0.06m/min to 30m/min
- The minimum payload capability shall be 50kg in two of the three carriages, and the minimum payload capability of one of the three carriages shall be 300kg. Note: all three carriages may have a payload capability of 300kg. If only one carriage has a payload capability of 300kg this shall be the middle carriage. All carriages shall feature a common mechanical mounting interface
- The system shall minimise radiated and conducted electromagnetic noise. Electrical screening and noise suppression shall be applied to power cables and control lines. The system shall be suitable for operation in an RF‑sensitive measurement environment. Major components (motors, drives, controllers) shall be selected to minimise RF and electrical noise emissions.
- The system shall prevent unintended movement during power up, power down, communication loss and system failure. The system shall prevent motion beyond defined operational points with travel limits by either physical or electronic constraints. Motion shall be able to be interlocked with an access doorway or gateway such that automatic motion is inhibited when the operator is within the designated loading area. The system shall detect faults such as loss of feedback, actuator malfunction or communication errors, and automatically transition to a safe state. Safe states shall be defined as motion inhibited, brakes engaged and load supported
- The system shall include a standalone supplier‑provided control interface. The standalone control interface shall support manual jogging, commanded moves to predefined positions, and execution of multi‑axis movements. The system shall include provision for an integrated control interface which shall allow direct operation and automation from laboratory control software. The integrated control interface shall be compatible with NPL's existing laboratory control environment (e.g. LabVIEW‑based systems).
- The supplier must demonstrate that the system complies with, as a minimum but not limited to, Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) and Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU).
Pipeline intelligence · planning stage: how this market runs before the tender is published
How NPL Management Limited buys Distilling, filtering or rectifying apparatus (CPV 4291), and who usually turns up
NPL Management Limited’s published record next to the market for the same work. Frameworks and DPS are left out: they draw different bid counts. Whole-market view: Distilling, filtering or rectifying apparatus (CPV 4291) →
How the contest usually goes
Winner shares use published awards; bid and price charts use contested lots.
i
How often small and medium firms win.
Share of awards where the winner’s size is known.
The counts under this question show how many awards have a known supplier size.
Small firms have won here. Neither number says whether you qualify; it describes who has been winning.
i
How often local firms win similar work.
Winners with a registered address in the delivery region, out of awards with a known address.
Local means the winner is registered in the region where that award was delivered.
A local branch does not count if the registered address is elsewhere.
Most of this buyer’s recorded winners were registered in the region where that award was delivered.
i
How long buyers here take to decide after bids close.
Middle value in days from the bid deadline to the award date, on competitions that published both.
Only decided tenders count, so slow ones still waiting are not in.
Half of these awards have an award date within 48 days of the bid deadline.
i
How often work is awarded with no recorded rival.
Direct awards and tenders where every published lot count shows one bid.
Both shares are minimums: some awards have no bid count.
Thin markets produce this too; it is not proof of a tailored specification.
Missing bid counts may hide more single-bid awards. This share is a minimum.
How many bids did past lots attract?
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How many bids past lots received.
Each colour is a bid-count range. Only competed lots with a published count are included.
Past bids do not predict this tender.
1 bid0%
2–325%
4–663%
7+13%
How did awards compare with estimates?
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Where winning prices landed against estimates.
Each colour shows awards below, close to or above the published estimate, one lot at a time.
Past prices are a guide, not a bid price.
Below estimate44%
Within ±2%34%
Above estimate22%
Assess each lot i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
Open a lot for its forecast, this buyer’s previous supplier and possible competitors, from published award history, not a bid list
Lot #1OPEN WATER TANKCPV 4461Published estimate£30k
This lot is listed as CPV 4461. The table above uses the notice category.
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative. The bar shows 33 past lots.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid15%
2–333%
4–645%
7+6%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
Candidate suppliers for this notice have not been worked out yet, so this is not a verdict that nobody fits.
Lot #2WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMCPV 4291Published estimate£15k
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative. The bar shows 220 past lots.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid24%
2–339%
4–629%
7+8%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
Candidate suppliers for this notice have not been worked out yet, so this is not a verdict that nobody fits.
Lot #3POSITIONING AND CONTROL SYSTEMCPV 4291Published estimate£200k
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative. The bar shows 220 past lots.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid24%
2–339%
4–629%
7+8%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
Candidate suppliers for this notice have not been worked out yet, so this is not a verdict that nobody fits.
About this data
- Source. Official UK public procurement notices (Find a Tender), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. New notices arrive through the day; the figures are rebuilt nightly.
- Two views, kept apart. The authority’s own track record and the wider market for the same kind of work sit side by side and are never mixed. Where the local picture is too thin, a figure widens to a broader market and says which one it used.
- Forecasts are labelled. The price forecast and its range, possible competitors and the earlier-work matches are our estimates from past awards: not published facts, not win chances and not price advice. Official notices do not say who is bidding.
- Every figure shows what it rests on. Not every notice publishes a bid count, a value or a delivery region, so each figure carries the number of records behind it, and one built on few records is marked as such. The on a figure explains it; the counting rules are in the methodology. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Goods
- Notice status
- Planned procurement
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 29 May 2026, 15:28 BST
- Last source update
- 13 Jul 2026, 13:26 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 30 Oct 2026
- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-065603- Accelerated
- Qualifying planned procurement notice
- Latest notice
- Planned procurement notice (UK3)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a91bFind a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 28 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 15 Sept 2026, 17:00 BST
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
29 May 2026 → 1 Jan 2027 · 8 dates- Planning notice published150 days ago29 May 2026, 15:28 BST
- Market engagement122 days ago26 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
Prior to initiating the procurement, NPL wishes to establish the level of market interest in the forthcoming procurement process.
Suitably qualified and experienced suppliers who may have an interest in this project are invited to register for this Preliminary Market Engagement.
The purpose of the market engagement is to help assess the reaction of the market, to understand risks and future possibilities to ensure a future proofed procurement strategy and resulting contract.
Any submission received in response to this exercise will not constitute any contractual agreement between the respondent and NPL. Nor does the receipt of a response automatically include the respondent in the procurement process.
A Tender Notice will be issued to the market which will provide details of how the relating procurement documentation can be accessed and timescales for submission of the said tender response.
Interested parties shall bear their own costs of participation in this Market Engagement of whatever nature. NPL shall not be liable for the costs, expenses or losses howsoever arising (including, without limitation, any loss of profit or other economic loss incurred), regardless of the outcome of the Market Engagement.
The next stage in the process will be considered once this exercise has been completed.
Questions - Your Organisation
- What is your organisation's name?
- What is your name and role at the organisation?
- Please Provide a brief description of your Organisation
- Please provide the location (s) of your organisations operational facilities (eg headquarters, manufacturing site).
Capabilities
- Does your organisation have the capability to deliver a solution in line with the requirements described in the Scope section of this document.
a. If yes, please provide an estimated lead time for delivery from the point of contract award.
b. Are there any current or upcoming commitments, capacity constraints, or resource limitations that may affect your ability to submit an offer or deliver the project.
Scope Delivery & Budget Alignment
- Would your organisation be able to deliver the full project scope independently?
If not, please specify which elements would require sub-contracting and identify any anticipated delivery partners (if known).
- Are there any risks, issues, or opportunities that you believe NPL should consider in relation to the delivery of this project?
- NPL's estimated budget for this project is Lot A £30,000.00, Lot B £15,000.00 and Lot C £200,000.00, all values are excluding VAT.
Please confirm which Lot(s) you are submitting your interest in.
Please confirm if delivery within the Lot budgets is feasible. If not please provide an indicative budget for the Lot(s) you are interested in.
Route to Market, Contractual Terms & Timescales
- Are there any contract terms or commercial conditions that your organisation would consider unacceptable, or any terms that if not included would deter your participation?
If you have any questions, or would like to provide a response to the above, please email etenders@npl.co.uk to request a Preliminary Market Engagement Supplier Questionnaire "FOR RESPONSES" excel spreadsheet.
Please return all responses by 17.00, Friday 26th June 2026
- Latest notice published105 days ago13 Jul 2026, 13:26 BST
- Tender notice expected55 days ago1 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST
- Clarification questions by41 days ago15 Sept 2026, 17:00 BST
- Submission deadline28 days ago28 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST
- Today27 Oct 2026
- Award decision expected byin 3 days30 Oct 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Contract startsin 65 days1 Jan 2027
Notice history
5 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 29 May 2026- Preliminary market engagement notice published29 May 2026, 15:28 BSTUK2
- Planned procurement notice published13 Jul 2026, 13:26 BSTUK3
- Status changed to planned13 Jul 2026, 13:26 BST
- Procurement method changed13 Jul 2026, 13:26 BST
- Deadline published: 28 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST13 Jul 2026, 13:26 BST
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Pipeline notice- Awards (0)
- No award published
- Contracts (0)
- No contract published
- Bid statistics
- No aggregate bid statistics published
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender