---
title: "WP18/RACE Laser Cutting Trial"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-943803e2-d13e-4d11-832c-4fc64f774352"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-943803e2-d13e-4d11-832c-4fc64f774352"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-943803e2-d13e-4d11-832c-4fc64f774352.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-943803e2-d13e-4d11-832c-4fc64f774352.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY"
published: "2023-01-24"
---

# WP18/RACE Laser Cutting Trial

Buyer: UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-943803e2-d13e-4d11-832c-4fc64f774352

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## Summary

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has awarded a contract for the "WP18/RACE Laser Cutting Trial" project. The UKAEA, based at the Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire, conducted trials for a remote laser cutting system for nuclear decommissioning applications involving Inconel parts. The contract has been awarded to TWI Limited. The tender has closed with a contract period from 8th November 2022 to 7th March 2023, creating opportunities in the "Lasers" industry category.

This procurement process by the UKAEA at the Award stage presents opportunities for businesses specialising in laser technology, industrial lasers, research, testing, and automation systems. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are considered suitable for this contract. Businesses interested in research, development services, and consultancy should explore potential collaborations associated with this contract.

## Notice

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) was formed in 1954 when the UK Government set up a new body to oversee the nation's nuclear research programme. UKAEA is a non-departmental public body (NDPB), under the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). UKAEA research fusion energy and related technologies, with the aim of positioning the UK as a leader in sustainable nuclear energy. UKAEA's mission is to deliver sustainable fusion energy and maximise scientific and economic impact. This is underpinned by four goals: * Goal 1 - Be a world leader in fusion research and development; * Goal 2 - Enable the delivery of sustainable fusion power plants; * Goal 3 - Drive economic growth and high-tech jobs in the UK; and * Goal 4 - Create places that accelerate innovation and develop skilled people for industry to thrive. Summary of Requirement UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), based at the Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire, hereafter referred to as the Purchaser, carries out research into the use of controlled fusion for the generation of power. Laser cutting technology is being considered for the size reduction of large (mainly) Inconel parts of a nuclear facility. As part of this project, non-contact cutting methods e.g. fibre delivered laser cutting is an option and is the focus of this scope. An initial set of trials was performed, [3]. Further trials are called for, to address open issues and scope identified since then. These trials will be on representative material and configurations. These trials are part of developing a remote laser cutting system for the nuclear decommissioning application. The requirements of the system are captured in [1]. Further detail of the expected use case is investigated in [4]. A brief use case is as follows: * In-vessel furniture: Thick components (up to 113 mm). For material in the vicinity of the cut item, there is limited care of risk of damage from the residual laser beam. Usually starting from a free edge. * Containment preserving: Thinner material range (2 mm to 20 mm). For material in the vicinity of the cut item, there is care of risk of damage (loss of wall thickness / structural integrity) from the residual laser beam. May need to pierce then cut.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ba1451d2-1dc1-4af8-a533-9e1d6895f7c6 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 24 Jan 2023 |
| Submission deadline | 25 Oct 2022 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 23 Dec 2022 |
| Contract period | 23 Jan 2023 - 12 May 2023 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £146,426 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY |
| Locality | ABINGDON |
| Post town | Oxford |
| Postcode | OX14 3DB |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC |
| Local authority | South Oxfordshire |
| Electoral ward | Sandford & the Wittenhams |
| Westminster constituency | Didcot and Wantage |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | TWI |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 48 - Software package and information systems
- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 38636100 - Lasers
- 38636110 - Industrial lasers
- 38970000 - Research, testing and scientific technical simulator
- 48921000 - Automation system
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 73100000 - Research and experimental development services
- 73110000 - Research services
- 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
- 73210000 - Research consultancy services
- 73220000 - Development consultancy services
- 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development

## Release History

- 24 Jan 2023 at 08:54 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ba1451d2-1dc1-4af8-a533-9e1d6895f7c6

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ba1451d2-1dc1-4af8-a533-9e1d6895f7c6
  24th January 2023 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=53848&B=UKAEA
  Additional data
- https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/72814
  User / Company

## Notice URLs

- http://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority

## Provenance

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