Planning

Lithium Lead Liquid Metal Manufacture and Testing

UK INDUSTRIAL FUSION SOLUTIONS LTD

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

27 Oct 2025 at 16:05

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd is in the planning stage of a procurement process focused on the title "Lithium Lead Liquid Metal Manufacture and Testing". This initiative falls under the services industry category, particularly involving composition and purity testing and analysis services. The buying organisation, situated at Culham Science Centre in Abingdon, is engaging in a market preliminary engagement (PME) to refine its requirements and inform a future tender. Key dates for this process include the submission of a written questionnaire by 10th November 2025, with further engagement activities such as Q&A sessions projected for the following week. The intended contract period is from 11th January 2026 to 31st March 2026. This process aims to gather insights on developing Lithium Lead compositions for breeder blanket applications and assessing their thermophysical and chemical compatibility.

This opportunity represents a significant avenue for growth for businesses with expertise in research and experimental development services, particularly those experienced in composition and analysis services. Companies capable of providing innovative solutions to the challenges outlined, such as structural material impacts and LiPb stability, may stand out in the selection process. Furthermore, the process encourages suppliers to propose alternative delivery approaches, promoting a flexible engagement model and presenting businesses a chance to tailor their offerings to align with UKIFS's ambitious timelines and resource needs. Such engagements can enhance the supplier's profile, lead to future collaborations, and expand their presence in the market for advanced research and development services.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Lithium Lead Liquid Metal Manufacture and Testing

Notice 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. UKIFS is seeking to understand the possible development of Lithium Lead (LiPb) of varying compositions to for breeder blanket applications. A short-term experimental programme, aimed to address key concerns over thermophysical and chemical compatibility is required. UKIFS would like to assess risks in LiPb stability and phase separation at higher Li contents, as well as understand corrosion effects, with and without non-metallic impurities in the molten metal. This project aims to manufacture and carry out an initial screening assessment of the chemistry and thermophysical properties of LiPb as a function of Li content. The stability of compositions and uptake of impurities will also be quantified. Ingots of lithium lead eutectic of 17, 30, 40 and 50% lithium will be manufactured and characterised. Materials testing, consisting of static or stirred corrosion testing of SiC and steel samples will inform the changes to LiPb properties and impact to structural materials of corrosive reactions. Our aim is to complete Work Packages 1-4 by 31st March 2026 and we acknowledge that the proposed timescale for the delivery of the outlined requirements is ambitious. In recognition of this, we welcome suppliers to provide alternative approaches to delivery, including phased implementation, concurrent work package planning, or other innovative scheduling strategies that may better align with their capabilities and resource availability. All such proposals will be considered as part of the overall assessment process, with a view to achieving the most effective and pragmatic delivery outcome. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Abingdon:-Composition-and-purity-testing-and-analysis-services./5U75JGY572 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/respond/5U75JGY572

Planning Information

This MEN aims to gather information from potential suppliers on solutions and capabilities in relation to the provision of Lithium Lead Liquid Metal Manufacture and Testing. This is not a request for quotation but a preliminary stage to assess the market. The first stage involves a written submission via the questionnaire, which should be returned by 15:00 hrs on 10th November 2025. Any following stages, such as a Q&A session, will be arranged from week commencing 10 November 2025. For the avoidance of doubt: Suppliers who wish to attend a possible Q&A session will need to confirm that they wish to participate by indicating this within the questionnaire and submitting this via Delta as directed. Supplier's who do not to respond to this notice are NOT thereby excluded from any subsequent tender process for this workstream. As part of this PME, UKIFS 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 UKIFS'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 UKIFS's needs.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d484
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068683-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
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

71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services

71620000 - Analysis services

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Oct 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
11 Jan 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK INDUSTRIAL FUSION SOLUTIONS LTD
Contact Name
Operational Procurement
Contact Email
operationalprocurement.step@ukifs.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

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
Not specified
Local Authority
South Oxfordshire
Electoral Ward
Sandford & the Wittenhams
Westminster Constituency
Didcot and Wantage

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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