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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 1 release in its history.

Tender

27 Jul 2026 at 16:11

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd is inviting tenders for the concept design of a Laser Induced Desorption System, essential for measuring tritium retention in plasma-facing materials as part of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme. This procurement process, still at the tender stage, falls under the industry category of engineering services and is aligned with broader engineering and technical consultancy. The initiative is supported by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and takes place at the Culham Science Centre, Abingdon. Interested parties must submit their proposals electronically by 24th August 2026, while enquiries are welcomed till 18th August 2026. This is an open competition, allowing wide participation for below-threshold services procurement.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in engineering design and consultancy to engage in pioneering fusion energy projects in the UK. The project demands a supplier adept at handling challenges such as neutron radiation and thermal constraints, making it ideal for SMEs with capabilities in technical testing and research and experimental development services. Participation in this tender will not only allow companies to contribute to the advancement of fusion technology but also potentially position them for future opportunities in the fusion energy sector as the project progresses through subsequent phases of design and development.

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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. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Abingdon:-Engineering-services./GHYYZHV8Q5 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/respond/GHYYZHV8Q5

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/070950-2026
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

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
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
24 Aug 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
27 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 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
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

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. 

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