Planning

UKRI-5543 Cryogenic Plant for the National Cryogenic Facility (NCF)

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

13 Jan 2026 at 13:32

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), a central government authority based in Swindon, Wiltshire, is currently in the planning stage for a new procurement process involving a cryogenic plant for the National Cryogenic Facility. The procurement is focused within the industrial machinery category and is intended to extend UKRI-STFC's expertise in cryogenics. A preliminary market engagement is underway, with a Supplier Engagement Session scheduled via Teams on 28th January 2026. Interested businesses need to express interest by 26th January 2026, providing the details of their organisation and attendees. This engagement aims to gather input from a broad range of market suppliers to shape the future procurement process, which, if approved, will be detailed from 20th April 2026 onwards. The planned procurement has a significant value, with a gross amount pegged at GBP 24 million, and is geared towards goods delivery across the UK.

This procurement offers substantial growth opportunities for businesses with expertise in manufacturing machinery for liquefying air or other gases, particularly those that can provide scalable solutions for cryogenic processes. The invitation to part-take in early market engagement can be pivotal for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in positioning themselves for successful competition in future tenders. Involvement in this process allows businesses to contribute to defining the technical capabilities and commercial models that UKRI might adopt. Such contracts not only bolster business portfolios but also align firms with cutting-edge technological requirements set forth by UKRI and other associated partners.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-5543 Cryogenic Plant for the National Cryogenic Facility (NCF)

Notice Description

This requirement is for a new cryoplant, which has the capacity rated at 2kW at 4K (equivalent to 350W at 2K.) It is to have the capability to provide cooling at 2K, 4K and 20K to multiple users. This capability has been specified to enable UKRI-STFC to meet requirements identified by all initial users and is scalable to meet varying demand. This is to expand UKRI-STFCs existing expertise in cryogenics and experience in running a cryoplant as a facility user.

Planning Information

The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is to inform the market that UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is exploring the future procurement of a new cryoplant for the National Cryogenic Facility. UKRI has already undertaken initial, non-binding discussions with a small number of suppliers with relevant specialist expertise to inform early project thinking. This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is intended to broaden engagement across the market, validate assumptions, and ensure that any future procurement is informed by a wide range of potential delivery approaches, commercial models, and technical capabilities. Participation in this early engagement does not confer any advantage or preference in any future procurement process. UKRI will be undertaking a Supplier Engagement Session via Teams at 14:00hours on Wednesday 28th January 2026. If you would like to express your organisations interest in this event, please send the following information to STFCProcurement@ukri.org no later than Monday 26th January 2026: - Name of organisation - Names and email address of those attending the session Please not, we would limit the number of attendees to 3 per organisation. Please note that this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice does not constitute a commitment by UKRI to commence a procurement or to award any contract. Any future procurement activity will be subject to internal approvals, including business case approval by the relevant UK Government departments. All future tender documentation, should a procurement proceed, will be made available via UKRI’s e-sourcing portal, and potential bidders will be required to register on that portal to access further information.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0604aa
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002669-2026
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

CPV Codes

42000000 - Industrial machinery

42511200 - Machinery for liquefying air or other gases

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£20,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Jan 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
20 Apr 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
19 Jul 2026 - 21 Jun 2027 6-12 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 RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)
Contact Name
William Garvey
Contact Email
william.garvey@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
Not specified
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

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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