UK Fusion Energy Ltd: Concept Design of a Laser Induced Desorption System for Measuring First Wall Retention in STEP

Contracting authority

Contracting authority:

UK Fusion Energy Ltd

Public Procurement Organisation Number:

PCRM-7973-DCBL

Address:

Culham Campus, Abingdon
Abingdon
OX14 3DB
UK

Contact name:

Operational Procurement

Email:

operationalprocurement.step@ukifs.uk

Telephone:

Not provided

Website:

Not provided

Organisation type:

BODY_PUBLIC

Devolved regulations that apply:

None

Procedure

Procedure type:

Below threshold - open competition

Dynamic market:

Not provided

Tenders received:

0

Tenders assessed:

0

Tenders from SMEs:

0

Tenders from VCSEs:

0

Special regime:

None

Scope

Title:

Concept Design of a Laser Induced Desorption System for Measuring First Wall Retention in STEP

Reference number:

PP-UKFE-572

Main category:

SERVICES

Description:

The following summary is not intended as a complete or definitive specification of the requirement. A purpose of this engagement is to seek information from the market to help refine our understanding and aid the development of a future specification.

UK Fusion Energy Ltd (UKFE) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Group, responsible for STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme to deliver the UK's prototype fusion energy plant.

This MEN aims to gather information from potential suppliers on solutions and capabilities in relation to the provision of a concept design and experimental plan of a Laser Induced Desorption Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (LID-QMS) system for measuring first wall retention. This is not a request for quotation but a preliminary stage to assess the market.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Abingdon:-Engineering-services./685N4M6E65

To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/respond/685N4M6E65

Total value (estimated):

GBP 75,000 excluding VAT

GBP 90,000 including VAT

Contract dates (estimated):

16/08/2026 to 31/03/2027

CPV classifications:

71300000 - Engineering services.

71320000 - Engineering design services.

71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services.

73100000 - Research and experimental development services.

73111000 - Research laboratory services.

73120000 - Experimental development services.

Delivery regions:

UK - UNITED KINGDOM

Participation

Suitable for SMEs:

Yes

Suitable for VCSEs:

No

Engagement

Engagement deadline:

11/05/2026

Engagement status:

The engagement has not yet been carried out.

Engagement process description:

This MEN aims to gather information from potential suppliers on solutions and capabilities in relation to the provision of a concept design and experimental plan of a Laser Induced Desorption Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (LID-QMS) system for measuring first wall retention. This is not a request for quotation but a preliminary stage to assess the market.

Suppliers responding to this MEN will have the opportunity to contribute insights that may shape the final tender requirements. All answers and correspondence will be used for market sounding purposes only and will be treated confidentially.

Any supplier that chooses to not respond to this MEN will not exclude themselves from any subsequent procurement for this workstream.

Should an NDA or similar be required, please contact the MEN Customer Contact.

Any estimated contract values and contract dates associated with the notice are indicative and do not represent a commitment by UKFE.

UKFE’s IP Policy: UKFE will own all foreground IP which is developed to deliver the STEP programme, including IP generated in projects with partners. UKFE requires a licence to any partner-owned background IP that is required to use and licence UKFE’s foreground IP freely

As part of this PME, UKFE may carry out a range of activities. These may include, but are not limited to: issuing follow-up questions to suppliers and reviewing their responses; engaging in discussions with suppliers either collectively or individually, such as through webinars or workshops; seeking feedback on proposed requirements; exploring procurement approaches; identifying potentially suitable suppliers; assessing market capacity; and discussing possible contractual terms. PME may also be used to support the development of award criteria and the refinement of tender documentation.

Any information provided in this notice, such as CPV codes, estimated contract values, anticipated contract dates and durations, and proposed engagement timelines - are indicative only and based on UKFE’s current understanding. These details may be subject to change. The purpose of PME is to improve our understanding of the market, refine our requirements, and shape our procurement strategy. The list of activities included here is illustrative rather than exhaustive, and the nature, extent and timetable of engagement may evolve in line with UKFE’s needs.

Submission

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