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Supply of Hoppers, Screwfeeders, Vibratory Feeders and Rotary Barrels

NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

29 Jul 2026 at 11:15

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory Limited intends to purchase four types of small-scale powder-handling equipment for research and development in nuclear powder technology: hoppers, screwfeeders, vibratory feeders and rotary barrels. The equipment will be used inside a laboratory fumehood with a footprint of 600 mm by 1,200 mm, and should be easy to move in and out for rapid changes. Each item is expected to handle or hold up to one litre of powder, with short-duration performance such as a maximum flow rate of 1 litre per hour. The requirement covers laboratory and precision equipment, machining, fabrication and engineering services. Delivery is required in the United Kingdom.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the buyer has stated an intention to procure but has not invited tenders. UKNNL is considering either one supplier for all four equipment types or multiple suppliers. It expects the contract to run from 1 October to 31 December 2026. The estimated value is £150,000 excluding VAT, or £180,000 including VAT. The planned approach is market engagement before any future competition, with suppliers asked to provide information about available or similar equipment by 17 August 2026. The buyer expects to assess whether suppliers can provide suitable designed, machined or off-the-shelf solutions, with the final procurement route and arrangements still being explored.

This will suit specialist manufacturers, precision engineering firms, laboratory equipment suppliers and research-technology businesses able to provide bespoke or standard powder-processing equipment at small scale. Relevant capability includes designing and machining equipment for laboratory fumehood use, while modularity and rapid equipment changes are important. The buyer is looking for interchangeable hopper outlets and valve couplings; interchangeable screws with different configurations and pitches; variable feeder rotation, vibration and chute settings; and rotary barrels with adjustable speed, incline, diameter and internal inserts such as lifters or baffles. Suppliers should also consider transparent materials where compatible, to allow visual observation of powder movement. Small and medium-sized enterprises are identified as suitable.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Supply of Hoppers, Screwfeeders, Vibratory Feeders and Rotary Barrels

Notice Description

UKNNL is looking to purchase four pieces of equipment to support research and development activities relating to nuclear powder technology. The four pieces of equipment are Hoppers, Screwfeeders, Vibratory Feeders and Rotary Barrels. The equipment is required to be used within a laboratory fumehood. The fumehood has a 600 mm by 1200 mm (Depth x Width) footprint. Ideally, these technologies can be handled easily, making quick and easy switching of equipment into and out of the fumehood. It is expected that these technologies can handle/hold up to 1 litre of powder and performance over a short fixed duration (e.g. 1 l h-1 max flow rate). UKNNL would like to hear from suppliers who are able to design and machine these items to the suitable scale, or suppliers who have off the shelf solutions, meeting the sizing requirements stipulated. UKNNL are exploring the option of purchasing all four items from a singular supplier or from a multiple suppliers. Flexibility of equipment must be considered where possible, whether this is screw size in a feeder, or interchangeable hopper outlets. The key here is to allow UKNNL's powder capability to test as many scenarios as possible against different powders. Table 1 below captures where flexibility is of interest for different technologies. Hoppers * Interchangeable Hopper outlets, specifically different outlet diameters * 12.5 cm and 10 cm Hopper diameters * Coupling for outlet valve attachments Screwfeeders * Interchangeable screws with: o Different configurations o Varying pitches * Variable rotation speeds Vibratory feeders * Variable vibration frequency * Variable angles of chute * Variable chute geometries (e.g. cylindrical, rectangular) Rotary Barrels * Variable rotational speeds * Variable angles of incline * 12.5 cm and 10 cm diameters * Interchangeable 'inserts' (e.g. lifters, baffles) All * Where possible (and compatible), transparent materials to provide visual feedback

Planning Information

UKNNL welcomes information from suppliers on what you have available and if suppliers have supplier similar equipment before. Please email with as much detail as you can provide. If you are able to supply one or more of the pieces of equipment listed please get in touch with Emma.Kirkpatrick@uknnl.com and Joshua.Fitzpatrick@uknnl.com If you require further technical information on the equipment, please contact Joshua Fitzpatrick directly.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d633
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071597-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

42 - Industrial machinery

45 - Construction work

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

42612000 - Machining centre

45255400 - Fabrication work

71300000 - Engineering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£150,000 £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
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Oct 2026 - 31 Dec 2026 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
NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WARRINGTON
Postcode
WA3 6AE
Postcode Area
Warrington
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD61 Warrington
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Warrington
Electoral Ward
Birchwood
Westminster Constituency
Warrington North

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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