This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

09 Jul 2026 at 10:54

Summary of the contracting process

UK Fusion Energy Ltd, based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, is seeking proposals for the provision of testing services as outlined in the tender titled "Palladium Silver Membranes Tensile and Fatigue Testing." This opportunity, classified under the industry category of Technical Testing and Analysis Services, invites suppliers to deliver a comprehensive testing programme on palladium-silver membranes. The procurement is currently at the tender stage, following an open procurement method below the threshold, with key deadlines set: the enquiry period concludes on 31st July 2026, and the tender submission deadline is on 6th August 2026. The contract is expected to commence on 3rd September 2026 and conclude by 16th March 2027.

The tender presents an excellent opportunity for businesses specialising in technical testing and consultancy services, particularly those with expertise in high-temperature and high-pressure testing environments suitable for hydrogen purification systems. The project involves providing facilities, equipment, and technical expertise to support the STEP fuel cycle, which could significantly benefit companies with a focus on research and experimental development. This tender is particularly suited to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), offering a gross estimated contract value of £198,000, aimed at supporting innovative solutions in the fields of mechanical testing and engineering analysis.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Palladium Silver Membranes Tensile and Fatigue Testing

Notice Description

The scope of this procurement is to appoint a suitably qualified supplier to undertake a programme of mechanical testing on palladium-silver membrane assemblies to generate design data that supports their application in hydrogen purification systems for the STEP fuel cycle. The supplier shall provide the specialist facilities, equipment, technical expertise, and personnel necessary to conduct slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) testing and strain-controlled fatigue testing under representative operating conditions. Testing shall be carried out at elevated temperatures between 400 degC and 500 degC in gaseous hydrogen at pressures of up to 10 bar. Where required, the supplier shall also undertake in-situ hydrogen permeation testing before and during mechanical loading to assess membrane performance under operational conditions. The supplier shall be responsible for collecting, analysing, and reporting all test data, including the mechanical properties and performance characteristics of the membrane assemblies, and shall provide comprehensive test reports containing the test methodology, raw and processed data, analysis, observations, and conclusions suitable for engineering assessment and future design activities. All testing shall be undertaken using appropriately equipped laboratory facilities capable of safely operating under elevated temperatures and pressurised hydrogen environments, in accordance with recognised industry standards or agreed test procedures, with appropriate quality assurance and full traceability throughout the programme. The outputs from this procurement will provide STEP-relevant mechanical property data to support the development, qualification, and future deployment of palladium-silver membrane technology for hydrogen purification applications. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://ukfe.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Abingdon:-Technical-testing%2C-analysis-and-consultancy-services./YM5VB3NDJJ To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://ukfe.delta-esourcing.com/respond/YM5VB3NDJJ

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c75a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064633-2026
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
Below threshold - open competition
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

71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services

71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services

71630000 - Technical inspection and testing services

71632000 - Technical testing services

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

73110000 - Research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£165,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£165,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Jul 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
6 Aug 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Sep 2026 - 16 Mar 2027 6-12 months
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)

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.

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