---
title: "Operational Procurement & Transition Support"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0666b5"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0666b5"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0666b5.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0666b5.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UK INDUSTRIAL FUSION SOLUTIONS LTD"
published: "2026-03-10"
---

# Operational Procurement & Transition Support

Buyer: UK INDUSTRIAL FUSION SOLUTIONS LTD  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0666b5

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## Summary

The procurement process, overseen by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd (UKIFS), involves awarding a contract titled "Operational Procurement & Transition Support" within the industry category of procurement consultancy services. This service-focused tender was initiated without prior publication of a competition call, following a direct award procedure, to ensure continuity of critical procurement activities and business operations. The contract, valued at £3,600,000, was awarded to 4C Associates Ltd, a small and medium-sized enterprise based in London. UKIFS operates from Culham Science Centre in Abingdon, with coverage extending across various UK regions including UKC through UKK. The procurement was completed on 10 March 2026, utilising the Crown Commercial Service Management Consultancy Framework 4 (RM6309).

This tender presents significant opportunities for consultancy firms specialising in procurement and transition services to contribute to the growth and operational continuity of high-profile projects like UKIFS's STEP programme. Businesses with expertise in pipeline management, strategic workforce planning, supply chain strategy, and digital transformation are particularly well-suited to deliver the required services and support operational demands. The focus on ensuring uninterrupted commercial functions and managing delivery risks invites participation from firms capable of delivering advanced consultancy services, aligning with UKIFS's developmental objectives. With a clear directive to refine operational processes and support governance and compliance, firms can enhance their market position and expand their portfolio within the evolving landscape of UK public procurement.

## Notice

In 2022, UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) engaged 4C Associates via the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Management Consultancy Framework 3 (RM6187). Following the establishment of UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd (UKIFS) as a separate legal entity in 2023, the contract was novated to UKIFS to ensure continuity of programme delivery. Since inception, 4C Associates have provided embedded consultancy resource across multiple functional areas within UKIFS, including Commercial, HR, Transformation and Operations. Importantly, 4C currently manages and delivers the majority of UKIFS' transactional procurement activity. This capability underpins day-to-day operational delivery across IPTs and supports compliance with UK public procurement regulations and internal governance controls. The CCS Management Consultancy Framework 3 (RM6187) has now expired and has been replaced by CCS Management Consultancy Framework 4 (RM6309). UKIFS is therefore seeking approval to undertake a 12-month Direct Award under CCS Management Consultancy Framework 4 (RM6309) to 4C Associates in order to: * Ensure continuity of critical procurement and business operations * Mitigate delivery and compliance risk * Maintain organisational capability whilst future commercial operating model options are assessed Failure to secure continuity would present fundamental operational and programme delivery risk across multiple functions.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Operational Procurement Continuity - Maintain uninterrupted sourcing, pipeline management and supplier engagement capability to ensure delivery against STEP programme milestones. Organisational Transition Support - Provide structured oversight of workforce, process and governance alignment to enable stable transition into UKIFS' operating model. Enterprise Management System (EMS) Maturity - Support the development and formalisation of the UKIFS Enterprise Management System to embed compliant, scalable and auditable processes. Strategic Workforce & HR Partnering - Deliver HR business partnering to support workforce planning, recruitment and organisational capability development aligned to programme growth. Supply Chain & Materials Strategy Development - Design and mature a long-term supply chain strategy to ensure market readiness, resilience and alignment with STEP delivery requirements. Whole Plant Partner (WPP) Mobilisation - Enable mobilisation of WPP workstreams, ensuring procurement readiness, governance controls and delivery alignment. West Burton Programme Support - Provide on-site commercial and mobilisation support to maintain delivery momentum at the West Burton site. Digital Delivery & PMO Support - Provide structured programme management support to drive digital transformation initiatives critical to STEP delivery.

### Procurement Information

Procurement Route selected: * Short term: - Direct Award under RM6309 for a 12-month period to ensure continuity of service while longer-term operating model options are assessed. * Medium term: - Prepare for Further Competition or market re procurement to manage cost pressure and reduce dependency * This approach balances continuity, compliance, and risk management while avoiding long term lock in at elevated rates.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021502-2026 |
| 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 | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 10 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 10 Mar 2026 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £3,600,000 |

## Status

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

## 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 | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | 4C ASSOCIATES |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 79418000 - Procurement consultancy services

## Release History

- 10 Mar 2026 at 16:40 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021502-2026

## Notice URLs

- https://stepfusion.com/about/

## 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-0666b5. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0666b5.json.