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STEP Interim Socio-economic Evaluation

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

24 Jul 2026 at 09:05

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

05 May 2026 at 11:53

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Fusion Energy Ltd is procuring independent socio-economic evaluation consultancy services for the STEP programme. The supplier’s work covers a baseline evaluation, a process evaluation and an interim impact evaluation, producing an independent, proportionate and reproducible evidence base. The findings are intended to support accountability for public investment, organisational learning, programme improvement, future Spending Reviews, development of the STEP Tranche 2b Business Case for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, UKFE’s positioning as an investible proposition, and the future final evaluation of Tranche 2a. The work is delivered across the United Kingdom. This is a services opportunity classified under CPV 79419000, evaluation consultancy services.

The procurement is complete and has reached award stage following an open procedure. One lot was evaluated on technical quality, including social value, weighted at 80%, and commercial considerations weighted at 20%. Economic and technical selection criteria applied, with further requirements set out in the invitation-to-tender documentation. The tender deadline was 1 June 2026, enquiries closed on 18 May 2026, and the award decision was dated 18 June 2026. PA Consulting Services Limited was selected for £449,995 excluding VAT, or £539,994 including VAT. The contract period runs from 7 August 2026 to 18 May 2027. The award standstill ends on 5 August 2026, with signature scheduled for 6 August 2026. Sixteen bids were received, with 14 reaching the final stage.

This procurement shows demand from UK Fusion Energy Ltd for evaluation specialists able to assess a major public-sector programme independently and withstand scrutiny from government stakeholders and external investors. A credible competitor would need experience designing and delivering baseline, process and impact evaluations, with the ability to create robust, proportionate and reproducible evidence. Familiarity with UK Government evaluation, appraisal and assurance guidance, including the Magenta Book, would be important. Relevant capability also includes socio-economic analysis, evidence-based recommendations, programme improvement, public investment accountability and support for business-case development and Spending Review decisions. The requirement was marked as suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises, while the selected supplier was a large consultancy.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

STEP Interim Socio-economic Evaluation

Notice Description

The purpose of this procurement is for UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced supplier to design and deliver an independent interim socio-economic evaluation of the STEP programme. The evaluation shall comprise a Baseline Evaluation, a Process Evaluation and an Interim Impact Evaluation and will be conducted in accordance with UK Government evaluation, appraisal and assurance guidance including the Magenta Book. The evaluation will provide, a robust, proportionate and reproducible evidence base to support: *accountability for public investment, *organisational learning and programme improvement, and *future decision-making including Spending Reviews, development of the STEP Tranche 2b Business Case for DESNZ and the positioning of UKFE as an investible proposition *the future final evaluation of Tranche 2a. The Contract will provide UKFE with an independent, proportionate, and reproducible evaluation framework and evidence base capable of withstanding scrutiny from HMG stakeholders and external investors.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069127
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070010-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79419000 - Evaluation consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£449,995 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
1 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
18 Jun 20263 months ago
Contract Period
7 Aug 2026 - 18 May 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
ABINGDON
Postcode
OX14 3DB
Postcode Area
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

PA CONSULTING SERVICES LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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