Planning

UKRI-5168 Provision of Steel Chevrons

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

01 Sep 2025 at 09:34

Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process outlined here is being initiated by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) for the provision of steel chevrons required by the Central Laser facility as part of their radiation shielding applications. The procurement is currently in the planning stage, with a supplier engagement session scheduled on 11th September 2025 at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire. The procurement falls under the goods category, specifically relating to structural steelworks, and requires delivery to the UKJ14 region. UKRI requires these goods in alignment with BS 4513:1969 standards, and proposes a contract period starting from 28th November 2025 to 27th March 2026, with a contract value of up to £330,000. Potential suppliers must confirm attendance for the engagement session by 10th September 2025.

This tender presents an opportunity for businesses specialising in the production and supply of steel products, particularly those capable of manufacturing bespoke radiation shielding blocks. It offers a growth avenue for companies experienced in the structural steel sector who can meet specific quality standards and budget considerations. Moreover, the suitability criteria indicate that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can compete effectively in this opportunity, providing them with a chance to expand their market presence by delivering high-standard products to a major public authority agency. The procurement method allows for both single stage and staged delivery options, opening the scope for flexible supply chain logistics that can align with business operational capabilities.

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Notice Title

UKRI-5168 Provision of Steel Chevrons

Notice Description

The Central Laser facility (CLF), part of UKRI's Science and Technology Facilities Council, is investigating the use of steel shielding bricks for a specialised radiation shielding application as a potential replacement for lead shielding blocks. To be a consideration, we would need to be able to purchase a large quantity of steel chevron blocks, comparable in design and tolerancing to that of readily available lead chevrons. As such We would be looking for blocks that meet or exceed the mechanical requirements of BS 4513:1969 (Specification for lead bricks for radiation shielding), type V. This includes a linear tolerances of +-0.2mm. Any production method that can meet these requirements would be considered. While special bricks will be required for wall edging most of the bricks will need to be "Plain Bricks" measuring 50x100x150 (BS 4513: V50/7, extended 50mm in breadth). As such solely production of these bricks will be considered in this PMEN. Any Iron based alloy would be acceptable so long as its density meets or exceeds 7.85 tonne/m3. The bricks would need to be coated to prevent rust formation, any coating must be considered so as the finished block does not deviate from the mechanical requirements of BS 4513. To be considered as a potential alternative for the lead shielding, the cost of manufacture would need to be below or equal to that of the lead shielding (on a weight for weight basis). Total quantity required would be around 88.5 tonne, for around 15,000 blocks. We would therefore require costs to be under PS330,000 (PS3,750/tonne, PS22 per block). If delivery is to be in a single stage, blocks would be required by the end of March 2026. However, we would be interested in a staged delivery process as this would allow installation and manufacture to run concurrently, minimising storage requirements for both CLF and supplier.

Planning Information

UKRI-STFC with be holding a Supplier Engagement Session at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire on Thursday 11th September. The session will last no more than 2 hours and a maximum of two attendees from each supplier organisation to register for the session. The session will start at 10am (Arrival time to be 9:30am). A presentation and drawings to explain the requirement will be issued on the day. To book onto the Supplier Engagement Session, please submit the names, email addresses, contact phone numbers and vehicle registrations you would like to book onto to the following email address: STFCprocurement@ukri.org, with the subject in the email being UKRI-5168 Provision of Steel Chevrons-EOI. Please confirm your attendance no later than 12pm (noon) on Wednesday 10th September. You should bring photo ID with you to RAL otherwise you may not be allowed on site. The full address is; Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QX. If you would like to review the drawings before registering for the supplier event to determine whether this requirement is suitable for you, please email stfcprocurement@ukri.org with the subject line: UKRI-5168 Provision of Steel Chevrons – Drawings.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05910b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052704-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

42 - Industrial machinery

45 - Construction work


CPV Codes

42950000 - Parts of general-purpose machinery

45223210 - Structural steelworks

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£330,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
11 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
28 Nov 2025 - 27 Mar 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
stfcprocurement@ukri.org
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN2 1FL
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
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC

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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