This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

29 Jul 2026 at 14:31

Summary of the contracting process

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), based at Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire, has awarded a framework contract to Kinectrics Inc. for the design, manufacture, and support of glovebox assemblies as part of the H3AT Isotope Separation System (ISS) at the Tritium Loop Facility. This procurement, which falls under the NEC4 suite framework, is focused on the manufacture, delivery, and installation of systems critical to isotope separation at the H3AT Tritium Loop Facility. The contract stage is currently at the Award phase, with the contract period commencing on 18 September 2026 and concluding on 18 September 2031. Designed as a direct award due to exclusive intellectual property rights and technical reasons, this contract illustrates a strategic collaboration aimed at advancing cryogenic and glovebox technologies.

The award of the ISS glovebox contract presents substantial business opportunities, particularly for entities with experience in specialised machinery and engineering in the realm of isotope separation systems. Large suppliers like Kinectrics Inc., who hold unique manufacturing intellectual properties, are particularly well-suited for such projects. Companies specialising in technical engineering solutions, especially those catering to public authorities or central government sectors, will find this contract aligns with industry growth and technological advancement in high-specification research environments. This award also potentially opens avenues for further purchases under the framework, fostering long-term partnerships and innovations in the field.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

H3AT Isotope Separation System (ISS) Gloveboxes

Notice Description

This transparency notice is issued to advise the market that the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) intends to award a framework contract to Kinectrics Inc. for the design, manufacture, factory acceptance testing, delivery, installation support and commissioning support of the glovebox assemblies forming part of the Isotope Separation System (ISS) of the H3AT Tritium Loop Facility at Culham Campus, Oxfordshire, together with the associated professional design services. H3AT is constructing a tritium fuel cycle facility providing a closed-loop simulation plant and experimental laboratory. The ISS is a critical subsystem responsible for isotope separation using cryogenic and glovebox technologies. The gloveboxes provide the contained working environment necessary for tritium handling within the separation process and are a prerequisite to introducing active materials into the facility. The framework will be established under the NEC4 suite, with call-off contracts placed under the NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract for manufacture and build scope and the NEC4 Professional Services Contract for design and advisory scope, as the design matures.

Procurement Information

The ground relied upon under section 41(1) of, and Schedule 5 to, the Procurement Act 2023 (as required to be stated by regulation 26 of the Procurement Regulations 2024) is Single Supplier -- paragraph 5 (intellectual property rights or other exclusive rights) and paragraph 6 (absence of competition for technical reasons) of Schedule 5. The decision to award directly to Kinectrics Inc. is necessary because the ISS gloveboxes must interface directly with the ISS cryogenic system and conform to the glovebox standard adopted for the remainder of the H3AT facility, and because the detailed design and manufacturing solution incorporate intellectual property held by Kinectrics Inc. Any alternative manufacturer would be required to redesign to those interfaces and to develop a fresh manufacturing solution, which would duplicate completed work, incur disproportionate cost and could not be achieved within the programme window. UKAEA has assessed the market and is satisfied that there are no reasonable alternatives to the goods, services and works required.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d6c9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071823-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

42 - Industrial machinery


CPV Codes

42900000 - Miscellaneous general and special-purpose machinery

42990000 - Miscellaneous special-purpose machinery

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£8,250,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
29 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
18 Sep 2026 - 18 Sep 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK 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
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

KINECTRICS

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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