---
title: "Supply of a Warm Pellet Press"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-044dbe"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-044dbe"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-044dbe.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-044dbe.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED"
published: "2024-07-10"
---

# Supply of a Warm Pellet Press

Buyer: NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-044dbe

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-044dbe)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-044dbe.json)

## Summary

The National Nuclear Laboratory Limited has completed a procurement process for the supply of a Warm Pellet Press under an award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition. The procurement supports the development of Coated Particle Fuel for High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors. The Warm Pellet Press is to be installed at NNL's Preston Laboratory, involving the purchase, installation, commissioning, and ongoing support of the equipment. The contract has been awarded to Huxley Bertram Engineering Limited.

This procurement opportunity presents a niche market for businesses in the industrial machinery sector, particularly those experienced in producing pharmaceutical equipment. The focus on technical specifications and the absence of competition for technical reasons may limit the number of potential suppliers. Businesses with expertise in tablet press manufacturing and automated die feed systems could find this contract particularly suited to their capabilities, given the specialised requirements outlined by the National Nuclear Laboratory.

## Notice

This Award Notice is to inform the market that NNL has awarded a contract for a Warm Pellet Press.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

In support of NNL's CPF programme, a hydraulic press is required which can press with a force of 50 kN to produce both annular cylindrical compacts. NNL is purchasing a commercial off the shelf tablet press intended for the pharmaceutical industry. The nominal dimensions of 30 mm diameter x 40 mm in height with an internal annulus of 4-12 mm. A heated die is required to allow for compacts to be produced at a temperature of up to 300oC. Die filling will be done using automated die feed utilising a hopper system to fill the die automatically before each press cycle. The press will record data during the pressing process such as temperature, punch position, force and die wall pressure. This data will be used to optimise the pressing process and form part of the QA process.

### Procurement Information

National Nuclear Laboratory ("NNL") has awarded this contract under Regulation 32(2)(b)(ii), to Huxley Bertram in respect of the purchase of a Warm Pellet Press. The Warm Pellet Press is required to support NNL in the development of Coated Particle Fuel (CPF), funded by the UK Government. These fuels will be used in the next generation of High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors (HTGRs) and will be a key contribution towards achieving net zero. To support NNL in the development of CPF, NNL requires a hydraulic press is required which can press with a force of 50 kN to produce both annular cylindrical compacts. NNL proposes to use a commercial off the shelf tablet press intended for the pharmaceutical industry. The nominal dimensions of 30 mm diameter x 40 mm in height with an internal annulus of 4-12 mm. A heated die is required to allow for compacts to be produced at a temperature of up to 300oC. Die filling should be done using automated die feed utilising a hopper system to fill the die automatically before each press cycle. The press should record data during the pressing process such as temperature, punch position, force and die wall pressure. This data will be used to optimise the pressing process and form part of the QA process. The equipment is to be installed and commissioned at NNL Preston Laboratory. The scope of the work consists of: 1. Purchase of a HB10 pharma tablet compaction simulator and engagement with NNL to review the equipment via Hazard and Operability Studies 2. Building, installation, commissioning, training and maintenance 3. Ongoing manufacturer support through the provision of a service contract. Following extensive market research of off the shelf equipment manufacturers in various sectors, and engagement including: A PIN notice 2023/S/000-019956, Early Engagement Notice advertising a supply chain event where this procurement was featured, an Early Engagement Notice from 8th - 22nd March 2024 and an Early Engagement Notice dated 25th January - 8th February 2024. A VEAT notice 2023/S/000-010097 was published on 27th March 2024 which was followed by an immediate 10 day standstill period. No suitable suppliers were identified to undertake this contract except Huxley Bertram, no challenges were brought to NNL's attention during the 10 day standstill period. Due to the reason stated above, under section 32b(ii) of the PCR Guidelines; "competition is absent for technical reasons".

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021047-2024 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 10 Jul 2024 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 27 Mar 2024 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £859,258 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED |
| Locality | WARRINGTON |
| Post town | Warrington |
| Postcode | WA3 6AE |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD6 Cheshire |
| ITL 3 | TLD61 Warrington |
| Local authority | Warrington |
| Electoral ward | Birchwood |
| Westminster constituency | Warrington North |
| Delivery location | TLD45 Mid Lancashire |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | HUXLEY BERTRAM ENGINEERING |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products
- 42 - Industrial machinery

### Codes

- 33100000 - Medical equipments
- 33600000 - Pharmaceutical products
- 42000000 - Industrial machinery

## Release History

- 10 Jul 2024 at 11:27 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021047-2024
- 27 Mar 2024 at 15:33 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010097-2024

## Notice URLs

- http://www.nnl.co.uk

## 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-044dbe. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-044dbe.json.