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The Supply and Delivery of a Multiphysics Model and Furnace Digital Twin

Glass Futures

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

16 Dec 2025 at 15:10

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

17 Nov 2025 at 14:01

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

17 Nov 2025 at 11:46

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by Glass Futures focuses on the "Supply and Delivery of a Multiphysics Model and Furnace Digital Twin." The industry category involves custom software development services, programming services, hardware consultancy, and research development. Glass Futures, a public undertaking based in St Helens and Sheffield, awarded this contract directly to the University of Liverpool, a large-scale supplier. The award was made to develop a digital twin of the Glass Futures plant, integrating advanced technologies like computational fluid dynamics (CFD), thermodynamics, and artificial intelligence. Key dates include the contract signing on 27 November 2025, effective from 28 November 2025 to 31 March 2026, highlighting a direct procurement method owing to technical complexities and rapid iteration needs.

This contract offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in digital twin technology, CFD, thermodynamics, AI, and machine learning, particularly those with expertise in bespoke software development and graphical user interface design. The project, valued at £387,600, requires advanced capabilities to deliver a scientifically accurate furnace model, offering substantial growth potential for firms in the custom software and experimental development services. Companies able to integrate multiple data sources and platforms, with experience in open-source development environments, would be well-poised to capitalise on such procurement opportunities, paving the way for innovative solutions in industrial plant digitalisation. The University of Liverpool's involvement underscores the importance of expertise and proven track records in high-profile digital twin development, showcasing a lucrative field for capable enterprises.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

The Supply and Delivery of a Multiphysics Model and Furnace Digital Twin

Notice Description

The procured services consist of the development of a fully visualised digital twin of the Glass Futures plant. The project includes the development of a scientifically accurate multi-physics furnace model (CFD, chemistry, mathematics and physics) capable of performing digital experiments via 'what if...?' simulations programmed through a bespoke graphical user interface (also part of this procurement). The digital twin will integrate with the Glass Futures control system in order that it will display live, accurate, plant data.

Procurement Information

We have directly awarded this contract under the Prototypes and Development criteria. The project involves significant technical uncertainty, rapid iteration, and close integration of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), thermodynamics, and glass melt chemistry with artificial intelligence and machine learning. These are highly specialised capabilities that cannot be sourced through a standard competitive procurement process without significantly increasing project risk. The supplier to which we have awarded the contract has a proven track record of high profile digital twin development using CFD-based approaches that can be a) have their parameters adjusted via a GUI to afford a fast, novel simulation environment and b) graphically visualised using state-of-the-art graphic rendering computed at the point of simulation. Moreover, they are experienced in the use of open-source development environments and are experienced in the integration of multiple data sources and development platforms

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e24d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083460-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

48151000 - Computer control system

48520000 - Multimedia software package

72110000 - Hardware selection consultancy services

72211000 - Programming services of systems and user software

72230000 - Custom software development services

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£323,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£323,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Dec 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
17 Nov 20259 months ago
Contract Period
28 Nov 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Glass Futures
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SHEFFIELD
Postcode
WA9 5DT
Postcode Area
Warrington
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD71 East Merseyside
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
St. Helens
Electoral Ward
Peasley Cross & Fingerpost
Westminster Constituency
St Helens South and Whiston

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

The University of Liverpool

University of Liverpool

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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