---
title: "STEP Interim Socio-economic Evaluation"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-065ec1"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-065ec1"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065ec1.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065ec1.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "UNITED KINGDOM INDUSTRIAL FUSION SOLUTIONS"
published: "2026-02-27"
---

# STEP Interim Socio-economic Evaluation

Buyer: UNITED KINGDOM INDUSTRIAL FUSION SOLUTIONS  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-065ec1

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## Summary

United Kingdom Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) is in the planning stage of a public procurement process, titled "STEP Interim Socio-economic Evaluation," scheduled to commence from 1 June 2026 to 1 June 2027. The tender involves evaluating socio-economic impacts related to the fusion energy project. Located in Culham, UK, the procurement addresses services within the research and evaluation consultancy sector. UKIFS is seeking industry engagement, with businesses encouraged to submit the required questionnaire by 13 March 2026 to shape future procurement activities. This engagement is critical for understanding market capabilities and refining the project's scope and design under the auspices of operational procurement.

This tender presents a substantial opportunity for enterprises specialising in research services, economic assessments, social research, and consultancy evaluation to gain valuable business growth. Ideal candidates are those with capabilities in mixed-method evaluations, stakeholder engagement, and innovative research methodologies. Businesses that can contribute to the creation of high-impact case studies and possess expertise in fusion-related benefits like job creation, skills development, and supply chain optimisation will find this opportunity particularly appealing. This engagement with UKIFS will not only allow companies to leverage their expertise but also contribute significantly to the advancement of the UK's fusion energy capabilities.

## Notice

1. Baseline Evaluation Aims -Set out current data, indicators and contextual evidence. -Identify what would likely happen without STEP to support later assessment of additionality. -Test the validity of STEP's theory of change, assumptions and risks. -Assess data availability, quality, and feasibility for longterm evaluation. Scope -Codevelop the theory of change and logic model. -Expand the benefits library with metrics, data sources and recommendations for future monetisation. -Specify data sources, quality plans, counterfactual logic, and longterm lag assumptions. -Highlight evidence gaps and uncertainties. 2. Impact Evaluation Aims -Assess progress towards STEP's Tranche 1 and T2a objectives. -Examine early technical advances and initial economic/social effects. -Forecast potential longerterm impacts where possible. -Identify what data and systems must be established now to enable robust T2a and future evaluations. Scope -Mixedmethods approach including early monetisation and nonmonetised impact assessment. -Develop methodologies to value fusionspecific benefits (jobs, skills, supply chain, innovation, infrastructure). -Use baseline counterfactuals to determine additionality. -Include placebased, distributional analysis and uncertainty testing. -Produce a set of highimpact case studies. 3. Process Evaluation Aims -Assess whether delivery aligns with STEP's mission, plans and intent. -Review progress against milestones, delivery structures, partnerships, resources and governance. -Understand stakeholder engagement, risk management, dependencies and overall programme maturity. -Identify lessons learned and readiness for transition to future tranches. Scope -Review programme documentation and structures. -Conduct stakeholder interviews across UKIFS, partners and external organisations. -Use the theory of change to analyse delivery barriers and enablers. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Culham:-Research-services./RCD73B9WCM To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/RCD73B9WCM

### Planning Information

To respond to this PMEN, please complete and submit Appendix 1: Questionnaire via the facility in the Delta portal by 17:00 GMT on 13/03/2026. 
Early responses would be appreciated to help inform planning decisions. 
If you experience any difficulties with the portal, please contact the portal helpdesk helpdesk@delta-esourcing.com cc operationalprocurement.step@ukifs.uk 
Information obtained from responses to Appendix 1: Questionnaire will help UKIFS understand current market capabilities and shape the scope, direction, and design of the future procurement activities. 
If you have any questions about this PMEN, please contact UKIFS through the Delta portal. We are keen to engage with suppliers to assist with the PMEN completion if needed, to ensure quality responses enabling us to shape the future requirement and procurement.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018100-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 27 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 31 May 2026 - 1 Jun 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

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

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNITED KINGDOM INDUSTRIAL FUSION SOLUTIONS |
| Locality | CULHAM |
| 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

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 73110000 - Research services
- 79311400 - Economic research services
- 79315000 - Social research services
- 79419000 - Evaluation consultancy services

## Release History

- 27 Feb 2026 at 15:57 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018100-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018100-2026
  27th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/RCD73B9WCM
- https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Culham:-Research-services./RCD73B9WCM
- 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-065ec1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065ec1.json.