--- title: "Design for Longevity- Electrolyser Prototype Design" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06cdb2" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06cdb2" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06cdb2.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06cdb2.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "UK FUSION ENERGY LTD" published: "2026-07-17" --- # Design for Longevity- Electrolyser Prototype Design Buyer: UK FUSION ENERGY LTD Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06cdb2 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06cdb2) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06cdb2.json) ## Summary UK Fusion Energy Ltd, a public undertaking located at Culham Campus in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, is currently in the tender stage for a project titled "Design for Longevity- Electrolyser Prototype Design". The initiative is part of the STEP Fuel Cycle aimed at developing an electrolyser system to manage tritiated water for the STEP fusion reactor. This project falls within the Engineering and Research and Development services industry categories. Prospective businesses have until 14th August 2026 to submit their tenders, with the contract spanning from 16th September 2026 to 16th March 2027. The procurement process is through an open, below-threshold competition, allowing for electronic submissions. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specializing in engineering services and experimental development services, particularly those experienced with electrochemical systems. Small to medium enterprises that can deliver innovative solutions in component design for electrolysers, such as electrolytes, electrodes, and structural components, will find this bid advantageous. The procurement method prioritises technical quality and commercial competitiveness, suggesting that businesses capable of providing high-quality technical solutions while maintaining cost-effectiveness will be well-suited to compete and foster business growth through this project. ## Notice The STEP Fuel Cycle is the subsystem responsible for recovering, purifying and supplying tritium to the STEP fusion reactor. Tritium is present in a variety of forms, phases and compositions, including tritiated water. Vapour-phase electrolysis techniques such as solid-oxide electrolysis have been identified as a suitable technique for processing small quantities of tritiated water. The scope is to deliver the conceptual design of an electrolyser system (electrochemical cell or stack). This includes, but is not limited to, components of the electrolyser: electrolytes, electrodes, interconnects, separators, electrical connections, vessels, structural components, seals, gaskets, heating elements, inlet/outlet pipes, ports, flanges and instrumentation. The scope does not include conceptual design of 'Balance of Plant' equipment such as power supplies, pumps, purification stages, boilers, compressors or dehumidifiers. However, the impact on balance of plant equipment must be considered in design decisions for the electrolyser itself. The scope is structured into three sequential phases with interim milestones. These phases will progressively develop technical understanding, validate assumptions, and converge on agreed technical content. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://ukfe.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Abingdon:-Engineering-services./U6AF2849MX To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://ukfe.delta-esourcing.com/respond/U6AF2849MX ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067695-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 17 Jul 2026 | | Submission deadline | 14 Aug 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 15 Sep 2026 - 16 Mar 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £125,000 | | Lots value | £125,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UK FUSION ENERGY 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 - 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 71300000 - Engineering services - 73100000 - Research and experimental development services - 73120000 - Experimental development services ## Release History - 17 Jul 2026 at 10:46 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067695-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067695-2026 17th July 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://ukfe.delta-esourcing.com/ - https://ukfe.delta-esourcing.com/respond/U6AF2849MX - https://ukfe.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Abingdon:-Engineering-services./U6AF2849MX - 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-06cdb2. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06cdb2.json.