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STEP Vapour Shielding Scenario Simulation

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

16 Jul 2026 at 16:36

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd is preparing a service contract for reactor-scale vapour shielding scenario simulation to support the STEP prototype powerplant programme. The work will examine vapour shielding effects from transient plasma events and their impact on plasma-facing components, helping to inform plant design, protection systems and operational strategies. The scope covers four sequential phases: assessing limiter strike scenarios and architecture risks; analysing wider transient scenarios, material degradation and mitigation; developing engineering models and lifetime assessments for plasma-facing components; and assessing combined transient hazards for protection system design. The work is categorised as research and experimental development, including research, laboratory, experimental development, testing and evaluation services. Delivery is in the United Kingdom, for the buyer based at Culham Science Centre, Abingdon.

This procurement is at preliminary market-engagement and planning stage, before any invitation to tender. The buyer expects suppliers to submit proposals for Phase A, with separate pricing for Phases B and C; Phase D is intended to explore future capability without pricing at this stage. The estimated value is £200,000 excluding VAT, or £240,000 including VAT, and is above the relevant threshold. The anticipated contract period is 26 October 2026 to 26 April 2027. Market engagement responses are due by 14 August 2026, although the buyer states that engagement timings, contract dates, duration, values and requirements are indicative. Engagement may include follow-up questions, supplier discussions, webinars, workshops and feedback on requirements, procurement approach, award criteria and draft tender documents.

The work will suit specialist fusion, plasma physics, nuclear engineering, computational modelling and research organisations with established reactor-scale vapour shielding modelling frameworks. Strong candidates will be able to model transient plasma events and limiter strike scenarios, assess architecture and protection-system risks, analyse material degradation and mitigation measures, and translate simulation results into engineering models and plasma-facing component lifetime assessments. Capability should extend to combined transient hazards and their implications for plant protection design. Suppliers should be prepared to demonstrate relevant technical expertise, modelling tools, reactor-scale access and the capacity to progress through successive technical phases. The buyer may use supplier input to refine requirements, evaluation criteria and tender documentation. UKFE will own foreground intellectual property created for the STEP programme and require licences for necessary background IP.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

STEP Vapour Shielding Scenario Simulation

Notice Description

This Market Engagement Notice seeks engagement with organisations capable of delivering reactor-scale vapour shielding modelling to support the STEP prototype powerplant programme. The work will investigate vapour shielding effects arising from transient plasma events and their impact on plasma-facing components, informing design, protection systems, and operational strategies. The scope is divided into four sequential phases covering: (A) initial assessment of limiter strike scenarios and architecture risks; (B) expanded analysis of transient scenarios, material degradation, and mitigation strategies; (C) development of engineering models and lifetime assessments for plasma-facing components and (D) assessment of combined transient hazards and their implications for protection system design. Suppliers must submit proposals for Phase A, with separate pricing for Phases B and C, while Phase D will focus on future capability without pricing at this stage. Suppliers are expected to demonstrate access to established reactor-scale vapour shielding modelling frameworks, with work progressing through successive phases subject to technical outcomes, funding availability, and STEP programme priorities. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Abingdon:-Research-and-experimental-development-services./2ZAK72P477 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/respond/2ZAK72P477

Planning Information

This MEN aims to gather information from potential suppliers on solutions and capabilities in relation to the provision of vapour shielding scenario simulation. This is not a request for quotation but a preliminary stage to assess the market. Suppliers responding to this MEN will have the opportunity to contribute insights that may shape the final tender requirements. All answers and correspondence will be used for market sounding purposes only and will be treated confidentially. Any supplier that chooses to not respond to this MEN will not exclude themselves from any subsequent procurement for this workstream. Should an NDA or similar be required, please contact the MEN Customer Contact. Any estimated contract values and contract dates associated with the notice are indicative and do not represent a commitment by UKFE. UKFE’s IP Policy: UKFE will own all foreground IP which is developed to deliver the STEP programme, including IP generated in projects with partners. UKFE requires a licence to any partner-owned background IP that is required to use and licence UKFE’s foreground IP freely As part of this PME, UKFE may carry out a range of activities. These may include, but are not limited to: issuing follow-up questions to suppliers and reviewing their responses; engaging in discussions with suppliers either collectively or individually, such as through webinars or workshops; seeking feedback on proposed requirements; exploring procurement approaches; identifying potentially suitable suppliers; assessing market capacity; and discussing possible contractual terms. PME may also be used to support the development of award criteria and the refinement of tender documentation. Any information provided in this notice, such as CPV codes, estimated contract values, anticipated contract dates and durations, and proposed engagement timelines - are indicative only and based on UKFE’s current understanding. These details may be subject to change. The purpose of PME is to improve our understanding of the market, refine our requirements, and shape our procurement strategy. The list of activities included here is illustrative rather than exhaustive, and the nature, extent and timetable of engagement may evolve in line with UKFE’s needs.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06cd3a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067419-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

73110000 - Research services

73111000 - Research laboratory services

73120000 - Experimental development services

73430000 - Test and evaluation

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
26 Oct 2026 - 26 Apr 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
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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