--- title: "Materials Testing Framework for STEP - UKIFS" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-052a46" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-052a46" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-052a46.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-052a46.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "UK INDUSTRIAL FUSION SOLUTIONS LTD" published: "2025-06-02" --- # Materials Testing Framework for STEP - UKIFS Buyer: UK INDUSTRIAL FUSION SOLUTIONS LTD Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-052a46 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-052a46) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-052a46.json) ## Summary UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd is initiating a public procurement process for its STEP programme, aiming to establish a comprehensive Materials Testing Framework. The opportunity, titled "Materials Testing Framework for STEP - UKIFS," falls under the industrial category of technical testing and consultancy services, with an overarching focus on magnets and vacuum vessel and in-vessel systems manufacturing testing in the United Kingdom. The procurement method being employed is an open procedure. Currently in the planning stage, the tender seeks services over a six-year period, with key dates including a planned tender publication on 24th June 2025, a submission deadline on 29th July 2025, and an award expected by 9th September 2025. Suppliers will have the opportunity to attend a webinar that explains the framework format and management principles. This tender presents a substantial opportunity for businesses to grow through involvement in high-value technical testing services, offering a gross contract value of £8,400,000 over its duration. Businesses equipped to perform detailed technical testing and analysis specifically in the areas related to magnets and VIVS manufacturing will find this tender particularly appealing. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are also encouraged to participate, as the framework is designed to accommodate and support such organisations. With lots available for specialised tests such as thermal, electrical, and REBCO characterisation, suitable companies that can offer specific services or comprehensive testing within one or more lots are well-positioned to benefit from joining this framework, enhancing their service offerings and capacity for innovation. The framework allows for new entrants and tests additions after specific intervals, ensuring ongoing business development and partnership opportunities throughout its lifespan. ## Notice UKIFS STEP programme (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) seeks to establish a materials testing framework as follows: 1.Magnets materials testing - mechanical/ thermal, electrical, and REBCO tests under cryogenic conditions at a range of temperatures down to 20 K, for magnet materials (HTS tapes, metals, insulators (composites), solders), and mock-up samples of magnets and structures where applicable. 2.Vacuum Vessel & In-Vessel Systems (VIVS) manufacturing testing - mechanical, thermophysical and bespoke materials testing required to build a reliable material property database for increasing confidence in the system design into four key technologies: breeder blankets, divertors, plasma facing components and shields. Two previous Requests for Information for this requirements were published with the following notices: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000564-2025 https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002310-2025 We are looking for suppliers who can provide a range of services (one of more tests) to join the framework that will be in operation over the next 6 years (2 years + 2 years + 2 years). Tender publication is planned for 24th June. As part of the tender, bidders will be invited to attend a webinar explaining framework format and framework management principles. To view this notice, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=954979795 ### Lot Information Lot 1 Magnets Mechanical and Thermal tests Tests included in the lots are as follows: Mechanical Tests Tensile Mechanical Tests Shear (at various angles) Mechanical Tests Interlaminar shear Mechanical Tests Combined compression-shear (at various angles) Mechanical Tests Bond strength Mechanical Tests Fatigue Thermal Tests Thermal conductivity Thermal Tests Coefficient of thermal expansion Thermal Tests Thermal shock and thermal cycling Thermal Tests Differential scanning calorimetry Thermal Tests Specific heat Please note the list is not exhaustive. Renewal: Framework will be reopened for new entrants, with new tests included, after year 2 and year 4. Lot 2 Magnets Electrical Tests Tests included in the lots are as follows: Electrical Tests Contact resistance Electrical Tests Dielectric strength Electrical Tests Insulation resistance Electrical Tests Paschen breakdown Please note the list is not exhaustive. Renewal: The framework will be reopened for new entrants and new tests after year 2 and year 4. Lot 3 Magnets REBCO Characterisation Tests The following tests will be included in this lot: REBCO Coated Conductor TestsCritical current as a function of temperature, magnetic field strength and field angle REBCO Coated Conductor TestsCritical current as a function of axial strain applied along the tape REBCO Coated Conductor TestsShear strength along and/or across the tape REBCO Coated Conductor TestsUltimate tensile strength perpendicular to tape plane REBCO Coated Conductor TestsMinimum bend radius REBCO Coated Conductor TestsFailure strength due to out-of-balance loads perpendicular to tape plane REBCO Coated Conductor TestsPeel test Please note the list is not exhaustive. Renewal: The framework will be reopened for new entrants and new tests after year 2 and year 4. Lot 4 VIVS Mechanical Tests The following tests are included in this lot: Mechanical Tensile Mechanical Tensile - notched Mechanical Tensile - creep Mechanical Creep-fatigue - cyclic uniaxial Mechanical Microindentation Mechanical Impulse excitation Mechanical Shear (at various angles) Mechanical 4-point bend Mechanical 4-point bend - notched Mechanical 4-point bend - notched Mechanical Ball-on-3-ball Mechanical Fracture toughness - compact tension Mechanical Fracture toughness - impact Mechanical Ratcheting - cyclic tension/torsion Mechanical Fatigue crack growth - compact tension Mechanical Fatigue - thermomechanical Please note the list is not exhaustive. Renewal: The framework will be reopened for new entrants and new tests after year 2 and year 4. Lot 5 VIVS Thermophysical Tests The following tests are included in this lot: ThermophysicalLaser flash ThermophysicalDilatometry ThermophysicalThermal shock and thermal cycling ThermophysicalDifferential scanning calorimetry ThermophysicalFatigue - thermal Please note the list is not exhaustive. Renewal: The framework will be reopened for new entrants and new tests after year 2 and year 4. Lot 6 VIVS Non-standard Tests This lot will include CompositionMass spectrometry testing as well as any non-standard testing requirements. Renewal: The framework will be reopened for new entrants and new tests after year 2 and year 4. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029009-2025 | | Notice type | UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 2 Jun 2025 | | Submission deadline | 29 Jul 2025 | | Future notice date | 24 Jun 2025 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 17 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £7,000,000 | | Lots value | £8,400,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | Lots status | Planned | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UK INDUSTRIAL FUSION SOLUTIONS LTD | | 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 | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) - 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services ### Codes - 31157000 - Inductors - 38970000 - Research, testing and scientific technical simulator - 71334000 - Mechanical and electrical engineering services - 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services - 71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services - 71630000 - Technical inspection and testing services - 71632000 - Technical testing services ## Release History - 2 Jun 2025 at 09:05 - Planning - UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029009-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029009-2025 2nd June 2025 - Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://www.delta-esourcing.com/ - https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=954979795 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000564-2025 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002310-2025 - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## 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-052a46. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-052a46.json.