CPV 381 – Navigation and Meteorological Instruments

What does CPV 381 cover?

CPV group 381 covers navigation and meteorological instruments and systems. Navigation devices include GPS and GNSS receivers, navigation computers, compasses (magnetic and electronic), gyrocompasses, depth sounders and sonar equipment for marine applications, as well as radar systems for aviation and maritime navigation. Meteorological instruments include weather stations (automatic and manual), rain gauges, wind measurement devices (anemometers), thermometers, barometers, humidity sensors, radiosondes and Doppler radar systems for weather surveillance.

Contracting authorities include national meteorological services, hydrographic and oceanographic offices, federal mapping and geodesy agencies, waterway and shipping authorities, armed forces (navigation), airports and research institutes for climatology and meteorology. The full CPV structure is available at the European Commission (SIMAP) and Regulation (EC) No 213/2008.

High accuracy requirements, reliability under extreme weather conditions and integration into existing measurement networks are central procurement requirements. WMO standards (World Meteorological Organization) are often mandatory for meteorological measurement systems. Calibration intervals and maintenance contracts for permanent monitoring stations require long-term planning.

Typical Services in CPV 381

• GNSS precision receivers for geodesy and navigation
• Automatic weather stations for monitoring networks
• Precipitation, wind and humidity sensors
• Doppler weather radar systems
• Radiosondes for atmospheric investigation
• Marine navigation systems (radar, sonar, AIS)
• Navigation systems for aircraft and vehicles

Examples of Tenders with CPV 381

• Renewal of an automatic weather station network: Delivery and installation of 80 new automatic weather stations with wind measurement, precipitation sensors, temperature and humidity measurement, including remote data transmission and a ten-year maintenance contract – published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily).
• Procurement of GNSS precision devices for a surveying authority: Delivery of 25 geodetic GNSS receivers (sub-millimetre accuracy class) with processing software and training for mobile survey teams – published.
• Doppler weather radar for a regional meteorological station: Procurement, construction and commissioning of a Doppler weather radar system including signal processing, visualisation software and a five-year maintenance contract – published on TED.

Current tenders with CPV 381 are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.

Who is CPV 381 relevant for?

Public Contracting Authorities

National meteorological services, hydrographic offices, geodesy agencies, waterway authorities, armed forces and research institutions are the main contracting authorities. Long-term operational support and data integration into existing networks are key requirements. WMO-standard compliance and legal calibration obligations shape the technical specifications. Further guidance is available from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).

Companies and Bidders

Manufacturers and systems integrators for navigation electronics and meteorological instruments, as well as specialised calibration and maintenance service providers, are relevant bidders. ISO certifications, WMO compliance evidence and references for comparable national measurement infrastructure projects are key eligibility criteria.

How does Bond help with CPV 381?

Tender Match – Automatically Find Tenders (CPV 381)

With tender.match, measurement and navigation technology companies automatically receive all relevant tenders with CPV 381 directly in their dashboard. BOND indexes tenders from over 1,000 procurement portals in the EU – from TED to national platforms and regional contracting authorities. Instead of manually searching dozens of portals every day, matching navigation and meteorology contracts are filtered and delivered by industry, competency, region, and company profile. An automated gap analysis immediately shows where the company meets the requirements and where gaps exist. This ensures companies never miss a deadline and can focus on preparing their bids.

Company Match – Find the Right Partners and Suppliers (CPV 381)

For companies looking for suppliers, subcontractors, or consortium partners for meteorological infrastructure projects, company.match provides direct access to qualified firms from an EU-wide database of over 28 million companies. Especially for larger navigation and weather monitoring projects that a single company cannot handle alone, company.match automatically identifies suitable partners for bidding consortia and partial services – increasing the chances of winning the contract.

Frequently Asked Questions about CPV 381

What does the CPV code 38100000 mean?

The CPV code 38100000 classifies navigation and meteorological instruments within the EU's Common Procurement Vocabulary. It covers the full range of devices procured by meteorological services, geodesy agencies, maritime and aviation authorities – from automatic weather stations and GNSS receivers through Doppler radars to marine sonar systems.

How do I find tenders with CPV 381?

Tenders are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) for EU-wide procedures and on national platforms. Bond aggregates all relevant tenders automatically.

What are the requirements for participating in tenders with CPV 381?

WMO compliance for meteorological systems, ISO calibration certifications, and references for comparable national measurement network projects are typically required. EU-wide tendering is required for supply contracts above €221,000. Below this threshold, simplified procedures apply under VgV and UVgO.