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Palladium Silver Membranes Tensile and Fatigue Testing

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

14 Aug 2026 at 11:22

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

20 Jul 2026 at 11:14

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

09 Jul 2026 at 11:54

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Fusion Energy Ltd is procuring specialist mechanical testing services for palladium-silver membrane assemblies used in hydrogen purification systems supporting the STEP fuel cycle. The work covers slow strain rate tensile testing and strain-controlled fatigue testing under representative operating conditions, at temperatures between 400°C and 500°C and hydrogen pressures up to 10 bar. Where required, the supplier must also perform in-situ hydrogen permeation testing before and during mechanical loading. The supplier will provide the laboratory facilities, equipment, technical personnel, data collection and analysis needed to generate design and performance data. Outputs include comprehensive reports with methods, raw and processed data, analysis, observations and conclusions. Delivery is in the United Kingdom, with the buyer based at Culham Campus, Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

The procurement has reached tender: UK Fusion Energy Ltd invited offers through a below-threshold open competition. It is a single lot. Enquiries were due by 17 August 2026 at 12:00, and tender submissions were due by 24 August 2026 at 12:00. Offers were submitted electronically through the Delta eSourcing portal. The contract period is 21 September 2026 to 16 March 2027. The estimated value is £165,000 excluding VAT, or £198,000 including VAT. Evaluation is weighted 70% technical quality, 20% commercial and 10% social value. The lot is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. The tender was amended to update the social value question and extend the tender deadline.

This opportunity suits specialist laboratories, engineering test houses and research organisations with experience of mechanical testing for metallic membranes, hydrogen systems or comparable high-temperature applications. Suppliers need facilities and equipment that can safely handle gaseous hydrogen at pressures up to 10 bar and temperatures of 400°C to 500°C, together with capability for slow strain rate tensile and strain-controlled fatigue testing. In-situ hydrogen permeation testing capability may also be required. The successful supplier must provide suitably qualified technical personnel, robust data collection and analysis, and test reports suitable for engineering design, qualification and future deployment. Strong quality assurance, full test traceability and the ability to work to recognised industry standards or agreed procedures are central requirements. The work is research-led and technically demanding, but is explicitly suitable for SMEs.

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Notice Information

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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c75a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077598-2026
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
14 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
24 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
21 Sep 2026 - 16 Mar 2027 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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