Planning

UKSBS PR19033 ISIS Moderators

UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

11 Mar 2019 at 10:14

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process titled "UKSBS PR19033 ISIS Moderators" is being conducted by UK Shared Business Services Limited. This tender falls under the engineering services category (CPV code: 71300000) and is located in Swindon, England. Currently, the process is in the planning stage, with a key milestone being the end of the engagement period on 22nd March 2019. An industry engagement day is scheduled for 3rd April 2019 at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, where interested economic operators can provide feedback and discuss requirements. Those wishing to attend must confirm their participation via email by the specified deadline.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in engineering and research and development services. Companies that manufacture or supply components related to scientific research facilities, particularly those experienced in producing moderators for neutron sources, will be well-positioned to compete. With an estimated requirement for approximately 10 moderators over four years, valued at around £400,000, businesses that can demonstrate expertise in designing and producing cryogenic and high-pressure containment vessels will be particularly sought after.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKSBS PR19033 ISIS Moderators

Notice Description

UKRI-STFC has a future requirement for the provision of several moderators for its ISIS facility. UKRI-STFC is interested in engaging with industry to explain its requirements and offer the opportunity to provide suggestions or feedback, prior to publication of a Contract Notice for its requirements in the future, by means of an industry engagement day on the 3rd April 2019 at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories. Economic operators that are interested in participating in such should contact UKSBS by email on majorprojects@uksbs.co.uk to confirm their interest in attending before 17:00 GMT on the 22nd March 2019. Additional information: ISIS Moderators ISIS is a facility which produces neutrons for scientific research. The neutrons are generated by firing high energy protons into a heavy metal target. The neutrons produced in this way are too energetic and need to be moderated. The moderation is carried out in hydrogenous materials such as ambient temperature water, liquid methane at 110K (-163C), solid methane at 40K (233oC) and liquid hydrogen at 20K (253oC). The moderating materials need to be contained in metallic vessels which allow them to be placed inside a neutron reflector assembly close to the neutron production target. The vessels containing the moderating material need to be as transparent to neutrons as possible whilst being sufficiently strong to operate safely and reliably for extended periods of time at significant pressure (sometimes several bar) in an extreme radiation environment. Because of this the vessels are generally made from aluminium alloys and where appropriate, austenitic stainless steel. The moderating process generates significant amounts of heat which needs to be extracted from the moderator and so they are connected to a remote cooling system via a transfer line which allows the coolant, often the liquid moderating material its self, to be flowed in and out of the moderator to extract this heat. The moderator vessel performance gradually deteriorates over time in the high radiation environment and they need to be replaced periodically with new ones. The period for replacement varies according to the moderating material used and because the vessels are highly radioactive they need to be changed by remote handling in a remote handling cell. There is often a need to know the operating temperature of the moderator and so they are usually fitted with thermocouples too. Several of the moderator vessels are operating at cryogenic temperatures and as such they have the usual requirements associated with this type of equipment such as high vacuum integrity and containment, low temperature capability, low heat leak and specialist cryogenic connections which need to connect to existing transfer lines with specialist seals. The ISIS facility operates to a demanding scientific programme which sets a requirement for moderators to befitted and operational to a schedule often agreed several years in advance. Because of this the timely delivery to site of replacement moderators is critical. Typically each year there is a requirement for 3 to 5 moderators of the different types to be delivered. The facility is always developing and periodically new moderator designs will be developed and these will need to be prototyped and tested before being used on the main science programme too. UKRI-STFC envisions that approximately 10 moderators, in total, of the various types described will be required over a 4 year period, with an approximate total value of PS400K.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-27497c19-a4ca-4873-ab73-ebfd90e2fd60
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3da8ebfe-d365-4666-aa6e-cccb5ec5cacd
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

71300000 - Engineering services

73300000 - Design and execution of research and development

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Mar 20196 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
22 Mar 2019Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
majorprojects@uksbs.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON
Postcode
SN2 1FF
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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