This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

24 Jul 2026 at 13:05

Tender

29 May 2026 at 11:12

Summary of the contracting process

UK Fusion Energy Ltd, located at Culham Science Centre in Abingdon, is spearheading a procurement process titled "Pd Ag Functional Testing" within the technical testing and research services category. This project is part of the STEP Fuel Cycle system and aims to develop advanced technologies for hydrogen separation through palladium silver membrane assemblies. It involves various trials and tests, including annealing and brazing, to evaluate manufacturability. The procurement followed an open procedure, valued at £195,000 and awarded to Amentum Clean Energy Ltd. The contract period begins on 7th August 2026 and concludes on 31st March 2027, after a standstill period ending on 5th August 2026.

This tender highlights promising opportunities for businesses specialising in advanced material testing and experimental development, especially those capable of conducting complex metallurgical assessments. The open procurement method underscores a competitive environment, inviting qualified businesses to demonstrate technical expertise in areas such as membrane technology and material science. Companies with a solid track record in technical and laboratory analysis services would find this tender especially appealing, opening paths to potential collaborations and future projects in the growing field of clean energy technology.

How relevant is this notice?

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.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a8be
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070322-2026
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
Awardee Scale
Large

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
29 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
8 Jul 20264 weeks ago
Contract Period
6 Aug 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

AMENTUM CLEAN ENERGY

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06a8be-2026-07-24T14:05:53+01:00",
    "date": "2026-07-24T14:05:53+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06a8be",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PCRM-7973-DCBL",
            "name": "UK Fusion Energy Ltd",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PCRM-7973-DCBL"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Culham Science Centre",
                "locality": "Abingdon",
                "postalCode": "OX14 3DB",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ14"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Operational Procurement",
                "email": "operationalprocurement.step@ukifs.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicUndertaking",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public undertaking"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PBDC-7744-BTPG",
            "name": "Amentum Clean Energy Ltd",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PBDC-7744-BTPG"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "305 Bridgewater Place, Birchwood Park, Warrington",
                "locality": "Warrington",
                "postalCode": "WA3 6XF",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKD61"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "ukifsframeworks@amentumcms.com"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large",
                "vcse": false,
                "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false,
                "shelteredWorkshop": false
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PCRM-7973-DCBL",
        "name": "UK Fusion Energy Ltd"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "PP-UKIFS-566",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Pd Ag Functional Testing",
        "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.",
        "status": "complete",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71620000",
                        "description": "Analysis services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71632000",
                        "description": "Technical testing services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "73100000",
                        "description": "Research and experimental development services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "73111000",
                        "description": "Research laboratory services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 234000,
            "amount": 195000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/respond/T7K77D22NE",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-06-29T12:30:00+01:00"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-06-22T12:30:00+01:00"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-07-09T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "complete",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 234000,
                    "amount": 195000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Social Value",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 10,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Technical",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 70,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Commercial",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 20,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-07-22T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2028-01-22T23:59:59+00:00"
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "A-16950",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-16950",
                "format": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document"
            },
            {
                "id": "A-16951",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-16951",
                "format": "application/pdf"
            },
            {
                "id": "A-16952",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-16952",
                "format": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document"
            },
            {
                "id": "A-16953",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-16953",
                "format": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document"
            },
            {
                "id": "A-16954",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-16954",
                "format": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet"
            },
            {
                "id": "A-16955",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-16955",
                "format": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document"
            },
            {
                "id": "A-16956",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-16956",
                "format": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document"
            },
            {
                "id": "A-16957",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-16957",
                "format": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document"
            },
            {
                "id": "050785-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050785-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-05-29T12:12:20+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en",
    "bids": {
        "statistics": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "measure": "bids",
                "value": 3,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "measure": "finalStageBids",
                "value": 3,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "measure": "smeFinalStageBids",
                "value": 0,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "4",
                "measure": "vcseFinalStageBids",
                "value": 0,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ]
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "title": "Pd Ag Functional Testing",
            "status": "pending",
            "date": "2026-07-09T00:00:00+01:00",
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 234000,
                "amount": 195000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
            "aboveThreshold": true,
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-PPON-PBDC-7744-BTPG",
                    "name": "Amentum Clean Energy Ltd"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "71620000",
                            "description": "Analysis services"
                        },
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "71632000",
                            "description": "Technical testing services"
                        },
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "73100000",
                            "description": "Research and experimental development services"
                        },
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "73111000",
                            "description": "Research laboratory services"
                        }
                    ],
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UK",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "standstillPeriod": {
                "endDate": "2026-08-05T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2026-08-07T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2027-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "070322-2026",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK6",
                    "description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070322-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-07-24T14:05:53+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ],
            "assessmentSummariesDateSent": "2026-07-23T00:00:00+01:00",
            "milestones": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "type": "futureSignatureDate",
                    "dueDate": "2026-08-06T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "status": "scheduled"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}