Planning

UKRI-5351 Large Vacuum chamber for Vulcan 20-20 Target Area-1

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

07 Nov 2025 at 10:28

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

07 Nov 2025 at 10:18

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

07 Nov 2025 at 10:17

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) is in the planning stage for a public procurement titled "UKRI-5351 Large Vacuum chamber for Vulcan 20-20 Target Area-1". This procurement falls under the goods category and relates to laboratory, optical, and precision equipment, specifically parts of vacuum pumps. The project is part of the development of the Central Laser Facility's new high-power laser system, Vulcan 20-20. The procurement process is scheduled to involve Supplier Engagement Sessions at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire during the week commencing 24th November 2025. Suppliers are invited to confirm attendance by 12pm on 21st November 2025. The main delivery location is in the region of UKJ14, United Kingdom.

This procurement presents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in the design and manufacture of high-specification laboratory equipment and vacuum technologies to contribute to an innovative research facility. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged to participate. The procurement process allows businesses to showcase their unique capabilities and technical solutions, potentially leading to a contract for supplying the required equipment valued at £1,500,000 to £1,800,000 GBP. Engaging in this project will position businesses within an emerging field critical to cutting-edge scientific research and development.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-5351 Large Vacuum chamber for Vulcan 20-20 Target Area-1

Notice Description

The Central Laser Facility (CLF) is developing a new high-power laser system, Vulcan 20-20, to support cutting-edge research in fundamental physics. The facility will enable experiments simulating extreme astrophysical conditions, particle acceleration, radiation generation, and fusion energy research. These experiments will take place within a custom-built vacuum chamber designed to support high-power, high-energy laser interactions under controlled conditions. The chamber must meet stringent vacuum, structural, and safety requirements to ensure reliable and safe operation.

Planning Information

UKRI-STFC with be holding individual Supplier Engagement Sessions at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire on the week commencing 24th November 2025. 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 sessions will start at either 10am UK Time or 2pm UK Time. UKRI-STFC is flexible on having a meeting online or meeting onsite at RAL. If you are planning to be onsite arrival time to be 9:30am for 10 AM meeting and 1:30pm for 2:00 PM meeting. The purpose of these discussions is to gain a clearer understanding of supplier capabilities, potential technical approaches, indicative costs, and any challenges or opportunities that could inform the final specification and tender documentation. The same information will be given to all suppliers who attend a session. To book onto the Supplier Engagement Session, please submit the names, email addresses, contact phone numbers, whether your perference is online or in person and vehicle registrations (if attending onsite) to the following email address: STFCprocurement@ukri.org, with the subject in the email being UKRI-5351 Vacuum chamber for Vulcan 20-20 Target Area-1-Supplier Engagement Session Please can you also confirm a preferred date and time on the week of 24th November, and we will try and accommodate. Please confirm your attendance no later than 12pm (noon) on Friday 21st November. If you are planning to attend the meeting onsite 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 an overview of the project 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-5351 Vacuum chamber for Vulcan 20-20 Target Area-1 -Project overview document.”

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05dc72
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071909-2025
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

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

42 - Industrial machinery

CPV Codes

38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

42124320 - Parts of vacuum pumps

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
13 Feb 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
14 May 2026 - 16 Oct 2027 1-2 years
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 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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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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