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Control Software

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

11 Sep 2026 at 12:03

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Atomic Energy Authority is planning to procure control software for six existing motion-control modules at its Culham Science Centre site in Oxfordshire. Each module contains an x-y stage, tilt goniometric stage and rotational stage, with four motors controlled through a shared system. The requirement is for software to interface with the existing controller box and hardware, or for a new controller that can operate all six modules. The system must support serial communication between the controller and stages, including RS232-to-USB and RS232 connections, and control 24 motors through six module outputs. This is a specialist industrial automation and custom software requirement, with associated electronic and process-control equipment. The main category is goods, although software development is central to the requirement.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the Authority has stated its intention to buy, but has not invited tenders. It expects to use a below-threshold tender procedure for one lot, with an estimated value of £20,000 excluding VAT (£24,000 including VAT). The anticipated contract period is 31 December 2026 to 31 December 2027. The buyer plans to publish the next notice on 16 November 2026 and has scheduled preliminary market engagement for 15 October 2026. The engagement is intended to inform the developing requirement before it reaches the market. The single lot is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. The procurement will be delivered in the United Kingdom, with the buyer based at Culham Science Centre, Oxfordshire.

This will suit suppliers combining motion-control, industrial automation and bespoke software engineering expertise. Relevant capability includes developing control applications for multi-axis systems, integrating software with existing serial hardware, and designing or supplying controller electronics where an alternative to the existing controller is proposed. Suppliers should be able to understand closed-loop stepper motors, RS232 and RS232-to-USB communications, daisy-chained stage architectures, and the sequencing of control signals across multiple modules. Experience of laboratory, scientific or industrial positioning equipment would be useful, particularly where software must operate legacy or non-standard hardware rather than commercial off-the-shelf stages. The requirement is presented as suitable for SMEs, so specialist engineering firms and software-and-controls integrators should prepare to contribute during market engagement rather than bid at this stage.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Control Software

Notice Description

For this project We have 6 modules. Each module is made up of 3 stages. These stages are (1) an x-y stage, (2) a tilt goniometric stage, and (3) rotational stage. The links to these stages and the control box can be seen in the attached supporting document. The difference between our stages and the COTS stages is that each stage has a different motor to the COTS item (integrated 485 bus-type closed-loop stepper driver, IRS42E-K02, manual available). All modules are controlled via a single controller box. The controller box has power and user instructions from control software (via RS232 to USB cable) as inputs and has six output cables, each connected to one of the modules (RS232 to RS232). Each output cable is limited to 2m length. The cable from the controller connects to the bottom most stage of the module, that is the x-stage. The x-stage is then connected to the y-stage via a RS232 cable. The y-stage is connected to the goniometric stage via a RS232 cable. Finally, the goniometric stage is connected to the rotational stage via a RS232 cable. In this way, a controller with 6 outputs controls 6x4=24 motors. This setup is shown in the diagram and a picture of a single module is also provided on the attached supporting document. The control signal is sent via the control box to the desired module. If the control signal is not for the x-stage, the control signal is passed up the chain, and so on. We need the control software to interface with our existing hardware to control the 6 modules. The solution could interface with the existing control box, or alternatively provide a new controller to interface with the 6 modules. The requirements above are for the software/control of the 6 modules.

Planning Information

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=108965&TID=100114020&B=

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f7ea
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086349-2026
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

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

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

48 - Software package and information systems

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

31710000 - Electronic equipment

38810000 - Industrial process control equipment

38820000 - Remote-control equipment

48921000 - Automation system

72212100 - Industry specific software development services

72230000 - Custom software development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£20,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Sep 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
16 Nov 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Dec 2026 - 31 Dec 2027 1-2 years
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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