Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Design for Longevity- Electrolyser Prototype Design

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

15 Sep 2026 at 11:35

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

15 Sep 2026 at 10:58

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

17 Jul 2026 at 11:46

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Fusion Energy Ltd commissioned engineering and experimental development services for the conceptual design of a long-life electrolyser prototype for the STEP Fuel Cycle. The system is intended to process small quantities of tritiated water using vapour-phase electrolysis, such as solid-oxide electrolysis, to support recovery, purification and supply of tritium to the STEP fusion reactor. The design scope covers the electrochemical cell or stack and components including electrolytes, electrodes, interconnects, separators, electrical connections, vessels, structural parts, seals, gaskets, heating elements, inlet and outlet pipes, ports, flanges and instrumentation. Balance-of-plant equipment, such as power supplies, pumps, purification stages, boilers, compressors and dehumidifiers, is outside the design scope, although its impact must be considered. Delivery is in the UK.

The procurement is complete and was run as a below-threshold open competition. One lot was evaluated on commercial considerations at 40%, technical quality at 50% and social value at 10%. Two bids were received, both from SMEs. UK Fusion Energy Ltd awarded the contract to AqSorption Limited on 15 September 2026 for £120,000 excluding VAT (£144,000 including VAT). The awarded contract period is 28 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. The tender had an estimated value of £125,000 excluding VAT (£150,000 including VAT), with questions due by 7 August 2026 and bids due by 14 August 2026. The requirement was structured in three sequential phases with interim milestones to develop technical understanding, validate assumptions and agree the technical content.

This requirement is most relevant to businesses with specialist electrochemical engineering and research capability, particularly experience designing electrolyser cells or stacks for challenging gases, liquids or nuclear-related applications. Credible competitors would need to understand solid-oxide or other vapour-phase electrolysis, tritiated water handling and the interaction between electrolyser design and supporting plant. Useful expertise spans materials and component selection for electrolytes, electrodes, interconnects, separators, vessels, seals, heating systems, pipework, flanges and instrumentation, together with the ability to develop a concept through staged technical reviews and milestone decisions. The award to an SME and the two-SME final bid field indicate that a focused specialist supplier can compete, provided it can demonstrate sound technical judgement, experimental-development capability and a practical understanding of fusion fuel-cycle requirements.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Design for Longevity- Electrolyser Prototype Design

Notice Description

The STEP Fuel Cycle is the subsystem responsible for recovering, purifying and supplying tritium to the STEP fusion reactor. Tritium is present in a variety of forms, phases and compositions, including tritiated water. Vapour-phase electrolysis techniques such as solid-oxide electrolysis have been identified as a suitable technique for processing small quantities of tritiated water. The scope is to deliver the conceptual design of an electrolyser system (electrochemical cell or stack). This includes, but is not limited to, components of the electrolyser: electrolytes, electrodes, interconnects, separators, electrical connections, vessels, structural components, seals, gaskets, heating elements, inlet/outlet pipes, ports, flanges and instrumentation. The scope does not include conceptual design of 'Balance of Plant' equipment such as power supplies, pumps, purification stages, boilers, compressors or dehumidifiers. However, the impact on balance of plant equipment must be considered in design decisions for the electrolyser itself. The scope is structured into three sequential phases with interim milestones. These phases will progressively develop technical understanding, validate assumptions, and converge on agreed technical content.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06cdb2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087220-2026
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
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

71300000 - Engineering services

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

73120000 - Experimental development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£125,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£125,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£120,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Sep 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
14 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
15 Sep 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
28 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Aqsorption Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

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.

Loading OCDS record...