Notice Information
Notice Title
Large Ti Furnace Hydraulic Modifications
Notice Description
The requirement is for the servicing and modernization of the VAC 4 titanium vacuum arc re-melting furnace (304170) hydraulic system. The VAC 4 is a unique national research asset and the largest furnace of its type in the UK, enabling strategic development of largescale titanium castings. Reliability issues have arisen due to the hydraulic control system design, which now requires modification to ensure safe and reliable operation. The scope includes replacement of actuator seals, system flushing, and modernization of the hydraulic tank (bulkhead transitions, filter adapters, breather filter, condensate drip tray with drainage). The works also cover modification of the Power Ram actuator, including installation of three counter-balance valves. On-site attendance will be provided by SWSA and B&I Hydraulika teams for 3 weeks, extended to 5 weeks with an additional fitter if required. Due to the bespoke nature of the equipment, only the original equipment manufacturer has the technical knowledge and authority to undertake these works while maintaining UKCA compliance.
Procurement Information
Due to the unique nature of the equipment, only the OEM has the expertise and authority to make modifications, with full knowledge of the integrated control and safety systems. External parties cannot deliver these changes safely or provide the documentation required to maintain UKCA compliance. Accordingly, award to the OEM is necessary to ensure safety, compliance, and operational integrity.
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-058e52
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051535-2025
- Current Stage
- Award
- All Stages
- Award
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- UK6 - Contract Award Notice
- Procurement Type
- Standard
- Procurement Category
- Goods
- Procurement Method
- Direct
- Procurement Method Details
- Direct award
- Tender Suitability
- Not specified
- Awardee Scale
- SME
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
14 - Mining, basic metals and related products
42 - Industrial machinery
-
- CPV Codes
14724000 - Titanium
42300000 - Industrial or laboratory furnaces, incinerators and ovens
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- Not specified
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- £327,000 £100K-£500K
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 27 Aug 20255 months ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- Not specified
- Award Date
- 26 Aug 20256 months ago
- Contract Period
- 9 Sep 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 6-12 months
- Recurrence
- Not specified
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Complete
- Lots Status
- Complete
- Awards Status
- Pending
- Contracts Status
- Not Specified
Buyer & Supplier
Contracting Authority (Buyer)
- Main Buyer
- UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
- Contact Name
- Not specified
- Contact Email
- procurement@sheffield.ac.uk
- Contact Phone
- Not specified
Buyer Location
- Locality
- SHEFFIELD
- Postcode
- S10 2TN
- Post Town
- Sheffield
- Country
- England
-
- Major Region (ITL 1)
- TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
- Basic Region (ITL 2)
- TLE3 South Yorkshire
- Small Region (ITL 3)
- TLE32 Sheffield
- Delivery Location
- Not specified
-
- Local Authority
- Sheffield
- Electoral Ward
- Broomhill and Sharrow Vale
- Westminster Constituency
- Sheffield Central
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051535-2025
27th August 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051501-2025
27th August 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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.
{
"tag": [
"compiled"
],
"id": "ocds-h6vhtk-058e52-2025-08-27T11:38:38+01:00",
"date": "2025-08-27T11:38:38+01:00",
"ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-058e52",
"initiationType": "tender",
"parties": [
{
"id": "GB-COH-RC000667",
"name": "UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD",
"identifier": {
"scheme": "GB-COH",
"id": "RC000667"
},
"additionalIdentifiers": [
{
"scheme": "GB-PPON",
"id": "PXDP-7327-GWHT"
}
],
"address": {
"streetAddress": "Firth Court, Western Bank",
"locality": "Sheffield",
"postalCode": "S10 2TN",
"country": "GB",
"countryName": "United Kingdom",
"region": "UKE32"
},
"contactPoint": {
"email": "procurement@sheffield.ac.uk"
},
"roles": [
"buyer"
],
"details": {
"url": "https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/",
"classifications": [
{
"scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
"id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
"description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
}
]
}
},
{
"id": "GB-PPON-PPCB-5361-BJRN",
"name": "SECO/WARWICK S.A.",
"identifier": {
"scheme": "GB-PPON",
"id": "PPCB-5361-BJRN"
},
"address": {
"streetAddress": "Sobieskiego 8",
"locality": "Swiebodzin",
"postalCode": "66200",
"country": "PL",
"countryName": "Poland",
"region": "PL"
},
"contactPoint": {
"email": "info-poland@secowarwick.com"
},
"roles": [
"supplier"
],
"details": {
"url": "https://www.secowarwick.com/",
"scale": "sme",
"vcse": false,
"publicServiceMissionOrganization": false,
"shelteredWorkshop": false
}
}
],
"buyer": {
"id": "GB-COH-RC000667",
"name": "UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD"
},
"tender": {
"id": "4816/APJ/GM/25",
"legalBasis": {
"id": "2023/54",
"scheme": "UKPGA",
"uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
},
"title": "Large Ti Furnace Hydraulic Modifications",
"description": "The requirement is for the servicing and modernization of the VAC 4 titanium vacuum arc re-melting furnace (304170) hydraulic system. The VAC 4 is a unique national research asset and the largest furnace of its type in the UK, enabling strategic development of largescale titanium castings. Reliability issues have arisen due to the hydraulic control system design, which now requires modification to ensure safe and reliable operation. The scope includes replacement of actuator seals, system flushing, and modernization of the hydraulic tank (bulkhead transitions, filter adapters, breather filter, condensate drip tray with drainage). The works also cover modification of the Power Ram actuator, including installation of three counter-balance valves. On-site attendance will be provided by SWSA and B&I Hydraulika teams for 3 weeks, extended to 5 weeks with an additional fitter if required. Due to the bespoke nature of the equipment, only the original equipment manufacturer has the technical knowledge and authority to undertake these works while maintaining UKCA compliance.",
"status": "complete",
"procurementMethod": "direct",
"procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award",
"procurementMethodRationale": "Due to the unique nature of the equipment, only the OEM has the expertise and authority to make modifications, with full knowledge of the integrated control and safety systems. External parties cannot deliver these changes safely or provide the documentation required to maintain UKCA compliance. Accordingly, award to the OEM is necessary to ensure safety, compliance, and operational integrity.",
"procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
{
"id": "additionalRepeatExtensionPartialReplacement"
},
{
"id": "urgency"
}
],
"lots": [
{
"id": "1",
"status": "complete"
}
],
"documents": [
{
"id": "conflictOfInterest",
"documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
"description": "Not published"
}
]
},
"awards": [
{
"id": "1",
"status": "pending",
"value": {
"amountGross": 392400,
"amount": 327000,
"currency": "EUR"
},
"mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
"aboveThreshold": true,
"suppliers": [
{
"id": "GB-PPON-PPCB-5361-BJRN",
"name": "SECO/WARWICK S.A."
}
],
"items": [
{
"id": "1",
"additionalClassifications": [
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "14724000",
"description": "Titanium"
},
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "42300000",
"description": "Industrial or laboratory furnaces, incinerators and ovens"
}
],
"relatedLot": "1",
"deliveryAddresses": [
{
"region": "UKE",
"country": "GB",
"countryName": "United Kingdom"
}
]
}
],
"contractPeriod": {
"startDate": "2025-09-10T00:00:00+01:00",
"endDate": "2026-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
},
"hasOptions": true,
"options": {
"description": "Extended visit of SWSA team to 5 weeks (one additional fitter) if required."
},
"relatedLots": [
"1"
],
"documents": [
{
"id": "051501-2025",
"documentType": "awardNotice",
"noticeType": "UK5",
"description": "Transparency notice on Find a Tender",
"url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051501-2025",
"datePublished": "2025-08-27T10:59:45+01:00",
"format": "text/html"
},
{
"id": "051535-2025",
"documentType": "awardNotice",
"noticeType": "UK6",
"description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender",
"url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051535-2025",
"datePublished": "2025-08-27T11:38:38+01:00",
"format": "text/html"
}
],
"milestones": [
{
"id": "1",
"type": "futureSignatureDate",
"dueDate": "2025-09-09T23:59:59+01:00",
"status": "scheduled"
}
],
"date": "2025-08-27T00:00:00+01:00",
"standstillPeriod": {
"endDate": "2025-09-08T23:59:59+01:00"
}
}
],
"language": "en"
}