Tender

Pd Ag Functional Testing

UK FUSION ENERGY LTD

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

29 May 2026 at 11:12

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process titled "Pd Ag Functional Testing" is being conducted by UK Fusion Energy Ltd, a public undertaking located at Culham Science Centre in Abingdon, United Kingdom. This tender falls under the industry category of services, specifically focusing on analysis services, technical testing services, and research and development within the UK region. The procurement is currently at the Tender stage, with key deadlines set for 29 June 2026 for tender submissions, followed by the award period ending on 9 July 2026. The open procedure procurement method implies an inclusive approach to selecting suitable bidders, with a project value of £195,000 (gross amounting to £234,000). The contract period is anticipated to span from 22 July 2026 to 22 January 2028.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in advanced material processing and characterisation, particularly those with expertise in hydrogen separation technologies and manufacturing techniques such as annealing, brazing, and diffusion bonding. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are especially encouraged to participate, given the project's focus on innovation within the technical and analytical service domains. With quality and technical aspects accounting for 80% of the award criteria, businesses capable of delivering high-level research laboratory services stand to gain substantial growth prospects by contributing to the development of cutting-edge membrane assemblies for UK Fusion Energy Ltd.

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Notice Title

Pd Ag Functional Testing

Notice Description

The STEP Fuel Cycle (FC) system requires advanced technologies for hydrogen separation and recovery. The aim of this investigation is to demonstrate the manufacturability of palladium silver membrane assemblies. This will be achieved through conducting annealing trials, brazing trails, and diffusion bonding trials. The effect of these processes on the alloy and its properties will be evaluated through microstructural characterisation and hardness testing, respectively. These techniques will then be used to manufacture membrane assemblies which will be inspected and delivered to UKFE for subsequent testing. The objectives of this investigation are to conduct the following: 1. Tube characterisation, characterise and test the different batches of palladium silver membrane tubes, including microscopy and hardness testing, as received. 2. Annealing trials, refine and execute the process control variables for the annealing of the palladium silver membrane tubes. The effects of annealing on the alloy shall be characterised via microscopy and hardness testing. 3. Brazing trials, refine and execute the process control variables for the brazing of palladium silver membrane tubes to steel fittings. 4. Diffusion bonding trials, develop and execute the process control variables for the diffusion bonding of palladium silver membrane tubes to steel fittings. 5. Destructive testing, to complete the manufacture, inspection, and destructive testing of brazed and diffusion bonded assemblies. The microstructure and hardness of the of the joint shall be evaluated cross-sectionally. 6. Assembly manufacture, the manufacture of membrane assemblies (Figure 1) via annealing, brazing or diffusion bonding. 7. Assembly inspection, refine and execute an inspection regime on all assemblies. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://ukfe.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Abingdon:-Analysis-services./T7K77D22NE To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://ukfe.delta-esourcing.com/respond/T7K77D22NE

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a8be
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050785-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

71620000 - Analysis services

71632000 - Technical testing services

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

73111000 - Research laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£195,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£195,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 May 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
29 Jun 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
21 Jul 2026 - 22 Jan 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK FUSION ENERGY 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
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

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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