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Laser Induced Desorption System for Measuring First Wall Retention in STEP

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

16 Sep 2026 at 15:11

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

20 Aug 2026 at 13:52

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

27 Jul 2026 at 17:11

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Fusion Energy Ltd procured engineering and research services for the concept design of a laser-induced desorption system to measure tritium retention in plasma-facing first-wall materials for the STEP fusion power programme. The system is intended to quantify retention in situ within the demanding environment of a future fusion power plant, supporting fuel self-sufficiency, tritium accountancy and monitoring of first-wall condition. The design needed to consider neutron radiation, strong magnetic fields, thermal loading, restricted installation space and radioactive materials. The requirement covers engineering design, technical testing, analysis, consultancy, laboratory research and experimental development. The work is delivered in the United Kingdom. UKFE is responsible for delivering STEP, the UK programme to develop a prototype fusion power plant.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded on 16 September 2026 following a below-threshold open competition. Three bids were received, including two from SMEs. IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture S.A.U. was awarded the contract for £73,720 excluding VAT (£88,464 including VAT). The contract runs from 8 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. The estimated value before award was £75,000 excluding VAT (£90,000 including VAT). The single lot was evaluated on technical quality at 60%, commercial terms at 20% and social value at 20%. The response deadline was 7 September 2026 at noon, following an extension, and the enquiry deadline was 31 August 2026 at noon. Contract signature was scheduled for 28 September 2026.

This award indicates demand for specialist fusion engineering and experimental research capable of moving a complex measurement technology from concept towards deployment. Credible competitors for a future requirement would need expertise in tritium retention measurement, plasma-facing materials, laser-induced desorption, fusion plant systems and research laboratory development. They would also need to design for neutron irradiation, strong magnetic fields, thermal loads, radioactive materials and severe space constraints, while combining scientific analysis with practical engineering design. Experience of technical testing, consultancy, technology maturation, de-risking and prototype development would be relevant. The evaluation shows that technical capability was more important than commercial price, with social value also assessed. SMEs were eligible and represented two of the three final-stage bidders, while the successful supplier was a large engineering consultancy.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Laser Induced Desorption System for Measuring First Wall Retention in STEP

Notice Description

UK Fusion Energy Ltd (UKFE) is seeking to appoint a supplier to undertake the concept design of a system capable of in-situ quantification of tritium retention within plasma-facing (first wall) materials for the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme. STEP is the UK's flagship fusion energy programme, sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), and aims to design and construct the UK's first prototype fusion power plant capable of demonstrating net energy production, fuel self-sufficiency and a viable route to plant maintenance. UKFE, a wholly owned subsidiary of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), is responsible for delivering the programme. A key challenge for future fusion power plants is the management of tritium, which serves as a fuel for the deuterium-tritium fusion reaction. Tritium is both radioactive and scarce, making accurate measurement of its retention within plasma-facing components essential to demonstrating fuel self-sufficiency, supporting tritium accountancy, and monitoring the condition of first wall materials throughout plant operation. The successful supplier will develop a concept design for a measurement system capable of operating within the demanding environment of a fusion power plant, taking into account constraints such as neutron radiation, strong magnetic fields, thermal loading, limited installation space, and exposure to radioactive materials. This procurement represents the initial concept design phase of a wider programme of work. Subject to future funding and programme approvals, the outputs of this contract are expected to inform subsequent detailed design activities, technology maturation, de-risking and testing, and ultimately the development of an integrated tritium measurement system for deployment within the STEP tokamak.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d4a1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087860-2026
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
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

71300000 - Engineering services

71320000 - Engineering design services

71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

73111000 - Research laboratory services

73120000 - Experimental development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£75,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£75,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
£73,720 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
7 Sep 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Sep 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
8 Oct 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 1-6 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

IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture S.A.U.

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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