--- title: "Laser Induced Desorption System for Measuring First Wall Retention in STEP" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06d4a1" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d4a1" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d4a1.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d4a1.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "UK INDUSTRIAL FUSION SOLUTIONS LTD" published: "2026-07-27" --- # Laser Induced Desorption System for Measuring First Wall Retention in STEP Buyer: UK INDUSTRIAL FUSION SOLUTIONS LTD Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06d4a1 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d4a1) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d4a1.json) ## Summary UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd is inviting tenders for the concept design of a Laser Induced Desorption System, essential for measuring tritium retention in plasma-facing materials as part of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme. This procurement process, still at the tender stage, falls under the industry category of engineering services and is aligned with broader engineering and technical consultancy. The initiative is supported by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and takes place at the Culham Science Centre, Abingdon. Interested parties must submit their proposals electronically by 24th August 2026, while enquiries are welcomed till 18th August 2026. This is an open competition, allowing wide participation for below-threshold services procurement. This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in engineering design and consultancy to engage in pioneering fusion energy projects in the UK. The project demands a supplier adept at handling challenges such as neutron radiation and thermal constraints, making it ideal for SMEs with capabilities in technical testing and research and experimental development services. Participation in this tender will not only allow companies to contribute to the advancement of fusion technology but also potentially position them for future opportunities in the fusion energy sector as the project progresses through subsequent phases of design and development. ## Notice UK Fusion Energy Ltd (UKFE) is seeking to appoint a supplier to undertake the concept design of a system capable of in-situ quantification of tritium retention within plasma-facing (first wall) materials for the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme. STEP is the UK's flagship fusion energy programme, sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), and aims to design and construct the UK's first prototype fusion power plant capable of demonstrating net energy production, fuel self-sufficiency and a viable route to plant maintenance. UKFE, a wholly owned subsidiary of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), is responsible for delivering the programme. A key challenge for future fusion power plants is the management of tritium, which serves as a fuel for the deuterium-tritium fusion reaction. Tritium is both radioactive and scarce, making accurate measurement of its retention within plasma-facing components essential to demonstrating fuel self-sufficiency, supporting tritium accountancy, and monitoring the condition of first wall materials throughout plant operation. The successful supplier will develop a concept design for a measurement system capable of operating within the demanding environment of a fusion power plant, taking into account constraints such as neutron radiation, strong magnetic fields, thermal loading, limited installation space, and exposure to radioactive materials. This procurement represents the initial concept design phase of a wider programme of work. Subject to future funding and programme approvals, the outputs of this contract are expected to inform subsequent detailed design activities, technology maturation, de-risking and testing, and ultimately the development of an integrated tritium measurement system for deployment within the STEP tokamak. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Abingdon:-Engineering-services./GHYYZHV8Q5 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/respond/GHYYZHV8Q5 ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070950-2026 | | 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 | 27 Jul 2026 | | Submission deadline | 24 Aug 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 27 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £75,000 | | Lots value | £75,000 | | 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 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 - 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 71300000 - Engineering services - 71320000 - Engineering design services - 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services - 73100000 - Research and experimental development services - 73111000 - Research laboratory services - 73120000 - Experimental development services ## Release History - 27 Jul 2026 at 16:11 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070950-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070950-2026 27th July 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://ukifs.delta-esorcing.com/respond/GHYYZHV8Q5 - https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/respond/GHYYZHV8Q5 - https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Abingdon:-Engineering-services./GHYYZHV8Q5 - 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-06d4a1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d4a1.json.