Award

Diffusion Bonding Furnace

UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

03 Jan 2025 at 16:16

TenderUpdate

19 Jul 2024 at 12:49

Tender

27 Mar 2024 at 14:48

TenderUpdate

17 Feb 2023 at 12:09

Planning

26 Jan 2023 at 17:24

Summary of the contracting process

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has completed a procurement process for the design, manufacture, installation, and commissioning of a diffusion bonding furnace at their facilities in Culham, Oxfordshire. This tender, titled "Diffusion Bonding Furnace", falls under the industry category of industrial or laboratory furnaces (CPV code 42300000) and was conducted using a competitive dialogue procurement method. The procurement process commenced with initial planning in January 2023, moved through the tendering stages with key updates in February, March, and July 2024, and reached the award stage in January 2025. The contract was awarded to HHV Ltd., who will deliver a solution capable of creating diffusion bonded joints and components for materials like tungsten and CuCrZr alloys.

Securing this contract presents significant opportunities for business growth, especially for companies specialising in advanced industrial machinery and technologies. Businesses involved in manufacturing high-performance materials, those with expertise in vacuum and high-temperature processes, or SMEs targeting opportunities in sustainable nuclear energy research would find this tender particularly suitable. The competitive dialogue process used in this tender allows for an in-depth exchange of ideas and solutions between the buyer and suppliers, ensuring the procurement meets high technical and performance standards while fostering innovation and collaboration. Such engagements can lead to long-term partnerships and provide a foothold in further advanced material and energy sector projects.

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Notice Title

Diffusion Bonding Furnace

Notice Description

UKAEA researches fusion energy and related technologies, with the aim of positioning the UK as a leader in sustainable nuclear energy. As part of a renovation and upgrade plan of the Special Techniques Group (STG) capabilities, new diffusion bonding equipment has been identified to be added as a key capability. This project's scope shall include the design, manufacture, installation, and commissioning of a diffusion bonding furnace for UKAEA's facilities at Oxfordshire. The requirement is to procure a capability to create diffusion bonded joints and components for specified materials. Currently, in fusion, there is an increased interest in tungsten and its alloys & CuCrZr components. Diffusion bonding is envisaged as one of the most promising techniques to joint this material. This procurement will be via a Competitive Dialogue process.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) was formed in 1954 when the British Government set up a new body to oversee the nation's nuclear research programme. UKAEA is a non-departmental public body (NDPB), under the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). UKAEA researches fusion energy and related technologies, with the aim of positioning the UK as a leader in sustainable nuclear energy. As part of a renovation and upgrade plan of the Special Techniques Group (STG) capabilities, new diffusion bonding equipment has been identified to be added as a key capability. This project's scope shall include the design, manufacture, installation, and commissioning of a diffusion bonding furnace for UKAEA's facilities at Oxfordshire. The requirement is to procure a capability to create diffusion bonded joints and components for specified materials. Currently, in fusion, there is an increased interest in tungsten and its alloys & CuCrZr components. Diffusion bonding is envisaged as one of the most promising techniques to joint this material. This procurement will be via a Competitive Dialogue process.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-039b0c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000115-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive dialogue
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

42 - Industrial machinery


CPV Codes

42300000 - Industrial or laboratory furnaces, incinerators and ovens

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£800,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£800,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Jan 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
29 Apr 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
22 Jun 2023Expired
Award Date
3 Jan 20251 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Charlotte Byrne
Contact Email
charlotte.byrne@ukaea.uk
Contact Phone
+44 123546

Buyer Location

Locality
ABINGDON
Postcode
OX14 3DB
Post Town
Oxford
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
Delivery Location
TLJ South East (England), TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC

Local Authority
South Oxfordshire
Electoral Ward
Sandford & the Wittenhams
Westminster Constituency
Didcot and Wantage

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

HHV

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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