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Technical Support for Assembly and Installation of Scientific Mechanical Systems for MAST-U Tokamak Plasma Heating Systems

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

29 Jul 2026 at 09:18

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Atomic Energy Authority is planning to procure specialist technical support for complex assembly and installation work on scientific mechanical systems used in the MAST-U tokamak plasma heating systems. The requirement is for services covering delicate and intricate mechanical equipment, including the supply of specialist technicians to carry out defined assembly and installation work packages. Delivery is in the United Kingdom, with the buyer based at Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire. This is a specialist scientific engineering and mechanical installation requirement rather than a general construction or facilities-management service. Businesses with relevant experience of installing complex mechanical systems in demanding research, fusion, nuclear, laboratory or similarly controlled technical environments should consider the requirement relevant when the procurement reaches the market.

This process is at the planning stage and records the buyer’s intention to procure; it is not an invitation to tender. The UK Atomic Energy Authority expects to issue a subsequent notice on 4 September 2026. The planned contract is for one lot, with an anticipated period from 6 November 2026 to 26 February 2027. The estimated value is £100,000 excluding VAT, or £120,000 including VAT. The procurement is for services and is below the applicable threshold. The buyer has scheduled preliminary market engagement, with responses requested by 17:00 BST on 10 August 2026. The lot is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. The planned installation-services classification is CPV 51120000.

This planned work is likely to suit specialist mechanical engineering, scientific installation and technical-support businesses able to provide technicians for complex, delicate and intricate systems. Suppliers should be prepared to demonstrate practical competence in assembling and installing scientific mechanical equipment, following detailed work packages and working accurately around sensitive plasma-heating or other high-technology systems. Experience in fusion, nuclear, research, laboratory, energy or comparable engineering environments would be relevant to the technical nature of the requirement. The buyer has expressly indicated that small and medium-sized enterprises may be suitable, so the scale should be accessible to focused specialist firms as well as larger engineering contractors. Businesses with appropriately skilled technical teams should use the engagement stage to understand the eventual scope and prepare for the expected procurement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Technical Support for Assembly and Installation of Scientific Mechanical Systems for MAST-U Tokamak Plasma Heating Systems

Notice Description

The UK Atomic Energy Authority is looking to engage with Suppliers regarding the supply of specialist technicians to undertake complex assembly and installation work packages on complex scientific mechanical systems that are delicate and intricate in nature. Some brief information is available at this stage in the enclosed document. UKAEA is looking to hear from suppliers who are interested in this work. Responses are requested by 17:00 hours BST 10 August 2026.

Planning Information

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=107771&TID=100112849&B=

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d5f6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071511-2026
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

51 - Installation services (except software)

CPV Codes

51120000 - Installation services of mechanical equipment

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
4 Sep 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
6 Nov 2026 - 26 Feb 2027 1-6 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
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
OXFORDSHIRE
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
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
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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