Planning

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Water Detritiation System Permeator Vessel Replacement

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

29 Sep 2026 at 12:03

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Atomic Energy Authority plans to replace a permeator vessel in its water detritiation system. The vessel uses a heated palladium-alloy membrane to purify hydrogen gas; the existing membrane has deteriorated, and the original manufacturer can no longer supply a like-for-like replacement. The requirement is for suppliers to design and supply a replacement vessel, rather than simply provide a standard off-the-shelf unit. The work combines specialist gas-purification equipment with engineering design. Delivery is in the United Kingdom; the buyer is based at Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire. The Authority is seeking early engagement with suppliers to explore the technical and commercial approaches the market could offer.

This is at planning stage: the Authority has set out its intention to procure, but has not yet invited tenders. It expects to publish a further notice on 4 January 2027. The anticipated contract period runs from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2028. The stated estimated value is £500,000 gross. The procurement is for goods and is planned as a single lot, with the lot marked as suitable for small and medium-sized businesses. The Authority expects to use market engagement to understand suppliers’ capabilities, possible solutions, lead times, delivery risks and innovation. The engagement milestone is scheduled for 14 October 2026; this is an engagement date, not a deadline to submit a tender. No award criteria or final procedure have yet been set out.

This may suit engineering businesses able to develop bespoke hydrogen-gas purification equipment, particularly those with experience designing pressure vessels or membrane-based gas separation systems. Suppliers should be able to work with palladium-alloy membrane technology and address replacement of equipment where a like-for-like product is unavailable. The Authority is using engagement to test the market’s capability and learn about indicative technical solutions, manufacturing and delivery lead times, delivery risks and potential innovation. Suppliers with a credible design-and-supply offer, and the technical resources to discuss feasibility and delivery constraints, are well placed to contribute. The planned single-lot requirement is identified as suitable for SMEs, so specialist smaller firms may be relevant alongside larger equipment manufacturers or engineering integrators. The engagement is for market understanding and preparation, not a current invitation to bid.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Water Detritiation System Permeator Vessel Replacement

Notice Description

A system at UKAEA includes a permeator vessel consisting of a heated palladium alloy membrane for the purpose of hydrogen gas purification. The permeator membrane has deteriorated over time and has reached a point where the vessel needs to be replaced. A spare permeator vessel was not procured with the installed one and the original manufacturer is no longer capable of supplying a like-for-like replacement. UKAEA is seeking market engagement with suppliers capable of designing and supplying a replacement permeator vessel. The engagement is intended to understand market capability, indicative solutions, lead times, delivery risks and innovation opportunities.

Planning Information

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=109555&TID=100114596&B=

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077c4f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/091800-2026
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

24 - Chemical products

42 - Industrial machinery

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

24111600 - Hydrogen

42514000 - Machinery and apparatus for filtering or purifying gases

71323200 - Plant engineering design services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
4 Jan 20273 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2028 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)

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.

Loading OCDS record...