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Cryogenics Partner for the STEP Programme

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

02 Oct 2026 at 10:22

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Fusion Energy Ltd is considering appointing a cryogenics partner for the STEP Prototype Powerplant in Abingdon. The proposed services cover three connected areas: a large-scale cryogenic plant, the distribution network carrying cooling around the facility, and integration with multiple plant users. The system would support major powerplant systems with refrigeration at approximately 80 K, 20 K and 4.5 K, using helium, hydrogen and nitrogen. Current concepts describe an extensive distribution network and an overall cooling requirement equivalent to about 65 kW of refrigeration at 4.5 K. The work combines cryogenic plant and equipment design with industrial process engineering and integration. The buyer is UK Fusion Energy Ltd, a public undertaking developing the STEP programme.

This is at the planning stage: UK Fusion Energy Ltd has set out an intention to procure, but has not issued an invitation to tender. It is seeking preliminary market engagement responses to understand supplier capabilities and shape the scope, direction and design of the future procurement. The buyer expected responses to its engagement questions by 14:00 on 13 November 2026, with early responses welcomed; this is an engagement date, not a tender deadline. A subsequent notice was expected by the end of December 2026. The planned contract period runs from 1 January 2027 to 31 March 2029. The procurement is described as above threshold, but its recorded value is £0. The plan is for one lot; no evaluation basis or selection requirements are set out at this stage.

The work is likely to suit suppliers able to bring together cryogenic plant engineering, process and production design, equipment supply, distribution-system design and integration across multiple users. Relevant experience would include designing and delivering large-scale refrigeration systems across several temperature levels, particularly systems using helium, hydrogen and nitrogen, and coordinating interfaces with major industrial or research plant. The described loads point to a technically substantial system: refrigeration is required at approximately 80 K, 20 K and 4.5 K, with a broad distribution network and multiple user connections. UK Fusion Energy Ltd is using market engagement to understand current supplier capabilities and shape its future procurement, so cryogenics specialists, plant engineering businesses and integrated teams may be well placed to contribute to that preparation. The buyer has not yet stated specific accreditations or qualification thresholds.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Cryogenics Partner for the STEP Programme

Notice Description

The proposed scope under consideration comprises three principal areas: Cryogenic Plant; Cryogenic Distribution System; and Cryogenic User Integration. The STEP cryogenic system is intended to provide the cryogenic cooling infrastructure required to support major plant systems throughout the STEP Prototype Powerplant. Current concepts indicate that the system will comprise a large-scale cryogenic plant, an extensive cryogenic distribution network and integration with multiple cryogenic users across the programme. The system is expected to provide refrigeration across a range of temperature levels, including approximately 80 K, 20 K and 4.5 K, using a combination of helium, hydrogen and nitrogen as cryogenic fluids. The cryogenic system is expected to deliver approximately 65 kWth of cooling at 4.5 K equivalent. The refrigeration load is comprised of approximately 520 kWth at 80 K, 170 kWth at 20 K, and 8 kWth at 4.5 K. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://ukfe.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Abingdon:-Heat-exchange-units-and-machinery-for-liquefying-air-or-other-gases./3DSBJT2RU2 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://ukfe.delta-esourcing.com/respond/3DSBJT2RU2

Planning Information

To respond to this PMEN, please complete and submit Appendix 1 responses via the e-portal by 14:00 on Friday 13th November 2026. Early responses would be appreciated to help inform planning decisions. If you experience any difficulties with the portal, please contact the portal helpdesk svc-delta-help@communities.gov.uk cc ema.burden@ukifs.uk and phoebe.legard@ukifs.uk Information obtained from responses to Appendix 1 – responses will help UKFE understand current market capabilities and shape the scope, direction, and design of the future procurement activities.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077f56
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/093169-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

42 - Industrial machinery

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

42511000 - Heat-exchange units and machinery for liquefying air or other gases

42511200 - Machinery for liquefying air or other gases

71320000 - Engineering design services

71323000 - Engineering-design services for industrial process and production

71323200 - Plant engineering design services

71340000 - Integrated engineering services

73300000 - Design and execution of research and development

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Oct 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Dec 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 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
UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
ABINGDON
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
Not specified
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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