--- title: "Water Detritiation System Permeator Vessel Replacement" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-077c4f" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-077c4f" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-077c4f.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-077c4f.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority" published: "2026-09-29" --- # Water Detritiation System Permeator Vessel Replacement Buyer: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-077c4f [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-077c4f) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-077c4f.json) ## Summary The UK Atomic Energy Authority plans to replace a permeator vessel in its water detritiation system. The vessel uses a heated palladium-alloy membrane to purify hydrogen gas; the existing membrane has deteriorated, and the original manufacturer can no longer supply a like-for-like replacement. The requirement is for suppliers to design and supply a replacement vessel, rather than simply provide a standard off-the-shelf unit. The work combines specialist gas-purification equipment with engineering design. Delivery is in the United Kingdom; the buyer is based at Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire. The Authority is seeking early engagement with suppliers to explore the technical and commercial approaches the market could offer. This is at planning stage: the Authority has set out its intention to procure, but has not yet invited tenders. It expects to publish a further notice on 4 January 2027. The anticipated contract period runs from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2028. The stated estimated value is £500,000 gross. The procurement is for goods and is planned as a single lot, with the lot marked as suitable for small and medium-sized businesses. The Authority expects to use market engagement to understand suppliers’ capabilities, possible solutions, lead times, delivery risks and innovation. The engagement milestone is scheduled for 14 October 2026; this is an engagement date, not a deadline to submit a tender. No award criteria or final procedure have yet been set out. This may suit engineering businesses able to develop bespoke hydrogen-gas purification equipment, particularly those with experience designing pressure vessels or membrane-based gas separation systems. Suppliers should be able to work with palladium-alloy membrane technology and address replacement of equipment where a like-for-like product is unavailable. The Authority is using engagement to test the market’s capability and learn about indicative technical solutions, manufacturing and delivery lead times, delivery risks and potential innovation. Suppliers with a credible design-and-supply offer, and the technical resources to discuss feasibility and delivery constraints, are well placed to contribute. The planned single-lot requirement is identified as suitable for SMEs, so specialist smaller firms may be relevant alongside larger equipment manufacturers or engineering integrators. The engagement is for market understanding and preparation, not a current invitation to bid. ## Notice A system at UKAEA includes a permeator vessel consisting of a heated palladium alloy membrane for the purpose of hydrogen gas purification. The permeator membrane has deteriorated over time and has reached a point where the vessel needs to be replaced. A spare permeator vessel was not procured with the installed one and the original manufacturer is no longer capable of supplying a like-for-like replacement. UKAEA is seeking market engagement with suppliers capable of designing and supplying a replacement permeator vessel. The engagement is intended to understand market capability, indicative solutions, lead times, delivery risks and innovation opportunities. ### Planning Information https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=109555&TID=100114596&B= ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/091800-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 29 Sep 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 4 Jan 2027 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2028 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £500,000 | | 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 Atomic Energy Authority | | Locality | OXFORDSHIRE | | Postcode area | 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 | TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 24 - Chemical products - 42 - Industrial machinery - 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services ### Codes - 24111600 - Hydrogen - 42514000 - Machinery and apparatus for filtering or purifying gases - 71323200 - Plant engineering design services ## Release History - 29 Sep 2026 at 12:03 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/091800-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/091800-2026 29th September 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=109555&TID=100114596&B= - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority - 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-077c4f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-077c4f.json.