--- title: "UKSBS PR19033 ISIS Moderators" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-27497c19-a4ca-4873-ab73-ebfd90e2fd60" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-27497c19-a4ca-4873-ab73-ebfd90e2fd60" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-27497c19-a4ca-4873-ab73-ebfd90e2fd60.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-27497c19-a4ca-4873-ab73-ebfd90e2fd60.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED" published: "2019-03-11" --- # UKSBS PR19033 ISIS Moderators Buyer: UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-27497c19-a4ca-4873-ab73-ebfd90e2fd60 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-27497c19-a4ca-4873-ab73-ebfd90e2fd60) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-27497c19-a4ca-4873-ab73-ebfd90e2fd60.json) ## Summary The procurement process titled "UKSBS PR19033 ISIS Moderators" is being conducted by UK Shared Business Services Limited. This tender falls under the engineering services category (CPV code: 71300000) and is located in Swindon, England. Currently, the process is in the planning stage, with a key milestone being the end of the engagement period on 22nd March 2019. An industry engagement day is scheduled for 3rd April 2019 at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, where interested economic operators can provide feedback and discuss requirements. Those wishing to attend must confirm their participation via email by the specified deadline. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in engineering and research and development services. Companies that manufacture or supply components related to scientific research facilities, particularly those experienced in producing moderators for neutron sources, will be well-positioned to compete. With an estimated requirement for approximately 10 moderators over four years, valued at around £400,000, businesses that can demonstrate expertise in designing and producing cryogenic and high-pressure containment vessels will be particularly sought after. ## Notice UKRI-STFC has a future requirement for the provision of several moderators for its ISIS facility. UKRI-STFC is interested in engaging with industry to explain its requirements and offer the opportunity to provide suggestions or feedback, prior to publication of a Contract Notice for its requirements in the future, by means of an industry engagement day on the 3rd April 2019 at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories. Economic operators that are interested in participating in such should contact UKSBS by email on majorprojects@uksbs.co.uk to confirm their interest in attending before 17:00 GMT on the 22nd March 2019. Additional information: ISIS Moderators ISIS is a facility which produces neutrons for scientific research. The neutrons are generated by firing high energy protons into a heavy metal target. The neutrons produced in this way are too energetic and need to be moderated. The moderation is carried out in hydrogenous materials such as ambient temperature water, liquid methane at 110K (-163C), solid methane at 40K (233oC) and liquid hydrogen at 20K (253oC). The moderating materials need to be contained in metallic vessels which allow them to be placed inside a neutron reflector assembly close to the neutron production target. The vessels containing the moderating material need to be as transparent to neutrons as possible whilst being sufficiently strong to operate safely and reliably for extended periods of time at significant pressure (sometimes several bar) in an extreme radiation environment. Because of this the vessels are generally made from aluminium alloys and where appropriate, austenitic stainless steel. The moderating process generates significant amounts of heat which needs to be extracted from the moderator and so they are connected to a remote cooling system via a transfer line which allows the coolant, often the liquid moderating material its self, to be flowed in and out of the moderator to extract this heat. The moderator vessel performance gradually deteriorates over time in the high radiation environment and they need to be replaced periodically with new ones. The period for replacement varies according to the moderating material used and because the vessels are highly radioactive they need to be changed by remote handling in a remote handling cell. There is often a need to know the operating temperature of the moderator and so they are usually fitted with thermocouples too. Several of the moderator vessels are operating at cryogenic temperatures and as such they have the usual requirements associated with this type of equipment such as high vacuum integrity and containment, low temperature capability, low heat leak and specialist cryogenic connections which need to connect to existing transfer lines with specialist seals. The ISIS facility operates to a demanding scientific programme which sets a requirement for moderators to befitted and operational to a schedule often agreed several years in advance. Because of this the timely delivery to site of replacement moderators is critical. Typically each year there is a requirement for 3 to 5 moderators of the different types to be delivered. The facility is always developing and periodically new moderator designs will be developed and these will need to be prototyped and tested before being used on the main science programme too. UKRI-STFC envisions that approximately 10 moderators, in total, of the various types described will be required over a 4 year period, with an approximate total value of PS400K. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3da8ebfe-d365-4666-aa6e-cccb5ec5cacd | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 11 Mar 2019 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 22 Mar 2019 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED | | Locality | SWINDON | | Post town | Swindon | | Postcode | SN2 1FF | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire | | ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon | | Local authority | Swindon | | Electoral ward | Rodbourne Cheney | | Westminster constituency | Swindon North | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 71300000 - Engineering services - 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development ## Release History - 11 Mar 2019 at 10:14 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3da8ebfe-d365-4666-aa6e-cccb5ec5cacd ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3da8ebfe-d365-4666-aa6e-cccb5ec5cacd 11th March 2019 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/561659bb-6426-452d-9ac4-7fe48cdeeb82 UKSBS PR19033 PIN Technical Brief revFINAL ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. 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