Planning

Design & Development of CO2 Condenser

UNITED KINGDOM INDUSTRIAL FUSION SOLUTIONS

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

16 Jan 2026 at 16:05

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

United Kingdom Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) is conducting a preliminary market engagement (PME) process for the design and development of a CO2 condenser, a crucial component of the STEP power cycle project. The engagement is currently in the planning stage and seeks to gather information from potential suppliers to refine its procurement strategy. Located at the Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire, UKIFS is inviting written submissions from interested parties by 27th February 2026 and plans an online presentation and Q&A session during the week commencing 16th March 2026. This project falls under the engineering design services industry category and is part of a broader effort to enhance efficiency in power generation systems.

This tender offers an opportunity for businesses specialising in engineering design, electrical power systems, and plant engineering design services to collaborate on an innovative project driving future energy solutions. Engaging in this PME can provide visibility and networking prospects for companies with expertise in high-performance condensers and CO2 power generation systems. Organisations that demonstrate capability in adhering to UK pressure equipment regulations and a strong understanding of the technical requirements associated with CO2 condenser operations will find this opportunity particularly suitable. The prospective procurement activity related to this project is expected to commence in April 2029, providing a long-term growth potential for participants in the evolving energy sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Design & Development of CO2 Condenser

Notice Description

The following summary is not intended as a complete or definitive specification of the requirement. A purpose of this engagement notice is to seek information from the market to help refine our understanding and aid the development of a future specification. UKIFS is seeking experts to support the design and development of a CO2 condenser that is part of the STEP power cycle. This is because a high-performance CO2 condenser is critical to the efficiency of the STEP powerplant (supercritical and/or transcritical CO2 power generation cycles are currently the preferred concept for the STEP prototypic plant). The proposed technical and operating conditions of the proposed CO2 condenser are: *Operating pressure is between ca. 60-100 bar for the CO2 stream *Operating inlet temperature will be between ca. 50 - 110degC. The outlet temperature will be between ca. 20-25 degC for the CO2 stream. *Thermal duty is in the range of 1-2 GWth. *The equipment must comply with UK pressure equipment regulations. Please be aware, any future procurement activity associated with the CO2 condenser PME will likely occur in Tranche 2B of STEPs programme. T2B is due to start in April 2029 and is subject to formal sign-off of our design (T2A) and agreement of the whole T2B plan For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Culham:-Engineering-design-services./7JNTY86XYK To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/respond/7JNTY86XYK

Planning Information

Scope of Preliminary Market Engagement Activities: This Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise is intended to gather information from potential suppliers regarding the design and development of CO2 condensers. The engagement is currently expected to take place in two stages: The first stage involves a written submission via the questionnaire, which should be returned by 13:00 hrs on 27th February 2026. The second stage will be an online presentation (delivered by UKIFS) and Q&A session that multiple suppliers may attend. This is anticipated to be the week commencing 16th March 2026 (indicative only). For the avoidance of doubt: Suppliers who wish to attend the presentation and 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-0607fe
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004045-2026
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

CPV Codes

71320000 - Engineering design services

71323100 - Electrical power systems design services

71323200 - Plant engineering design services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Jan 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
27 Feb 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2029 - 30 Apr 2033 4-5 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
UNITED KINGDOM INDUSTRIAL FUSION SOLUTIONS
Contact Name
James Wood
Contact Email
james.wood@ukifs.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CULHAM
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

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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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