---
title: "Project FORGE (Fusion Optimisation and Research by Geometric-integration of Electron-screening)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-040d0d"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-040d0d"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-040d0d.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-040d0d.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY"
published: "2023-10-18"
---

# Project FORGE (Fusion Optimisation and Research by Geometric-integration of Electron-screening)

Buyer: UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-040d0d

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## Summary

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority has awarded a contract for the project "FORGE (Fusion Optimisation and Research by Geometric-integration of Electron-screening)" to Astral Neutronics Ltd. DBA Astral Systems. The procurement method was a limited procedure with an award done without prior publication of a call for competition. The project falls under the 'Research services' category (CPV code: 73110000) and aims to explore materials for a Mark-1 MSF DT reactor. The contract value is £300,000, and it was signed on 16th October 2023. The UKAEA served as the buyer and the contracting authority. The location for the project is at Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, United Kingdom.

This R&D project tender by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority offers opportunities for businesses in the research services sector to collaborate on cutting-edge scientific initiatives. Companies specialising in research, development, and testing of materials for fusion reactors would be well-suited to compete in this tender. Being a limited procurement process, businesses with expertise in fusion research and scientific consultancy can leverage their capabilities to contribute to this collaborative endeavour. The project's focus on enhancing scientific knowledge through specialist consultants aligns with the strategic goals of organisations looking to expand their presence in the advanced materials and fusion research sector.

## Notice

This is for a collaborative R&D project.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Astral System Limited will lead a collaborative R&D project with the end goal to: 1) Explore different candidate LCF deuterium enriched materials and decide on the optimal material for a Mark-1 MSF DT reactor. 2) Test the different materials to better understand degradation, longevity, and fuel retention under operational and stress tested conditions.

### Procurement Information

UKAEA have been engaging the neutron source community to assess the degree of research alignment that might be possible in each source scenario. This is an extension of this work and to achieve the best possible outcome in this area, UKAEA needs to engage a specialist consultant to enhance our knowledge of the topic and unique scientific support .

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030766-2023 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 18 Oct 2023 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 15 Oct 2023 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £300,000 |

## Status

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

## 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 | TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ASTRAL NEUTRONICS LTD. DBA ASTRAL SYSTEMS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73110000 - Research services

## Release History

- 18 Oct 2023 at 12:21 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030766-2023

## Notice URLs

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

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-040d0d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-040d0d.json.