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Materials Testing Framework for STEP - UKIFS

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd · Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 30 Sept 2026, 03:47.

Opportunity overview

UKIFS STEP programme (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) seeks to establish a materials testing framework as follows: 1.Magnets materials testing – mechanical/ thermal, electrical, and REBCO tests under cryogenic conditions at a range of temperatures down to 20 K, for magnet materials (HTS tapes, metals, insulators (composites), solders), and mock-up samples of magnets and structures where applicable. 2.Vacuum Vessel & In-Vessel Systems (VIVS) manufacturing testing – mechanical, thermophysical and bespoke materials testing required to build a reliable material property database for increasing confidence in the system design into four key technologies: breeder blankets, divertors, plasma facing components and shields. Two previous Requests for Information for this requirements were published with the following notices: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000564-2025 https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002310-2025 We are looking for suppliers who can provide a range of services (one of more tests) to join the framework that will be in operation over the next 6 years (2 years + 2 years + 2 years). Tender publication is planned for 24th June. As part of the tender, bidders will be invited to attend a webinar explaining framework format and framework management principles. To view this notice, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=954979795

Classification

  • CPV31157000 — Inductors
  • CPV38970000 — Research, testing and scientific technical simulator
  • CPV71334000 — Mechanical and electrical engineering services
  • CPV71600000 — Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
  • CPV71610000 — Composition and purity testing and analysis services
  • CPV71630000 — Technical inspection and testing services
  • CPV71632000 — Technical testing services

Lots

  • Lot 1 Magnets Mechanical and Thermal tests£1.4m · Including VAT
  • Lot 2 Magnets Electrical Tests£1.4m · Including VAT
  • Lot 3 Magnets REBCO Characterisation Tests£1.4m · Including VAT
  • Lot 4 VIVS Mechanical Tests£1.4m · Including VAT
  • Lot 5 VIVS Thermophysical Tests£1.4m · Including VAT
  • Lot 6 VIVS Non-standard Tests£1.4m · Including VAT

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
ocds-h6vhtk-052a46
Status
planned
Above Threshold
Yes
Procurement Method
open
Main Procurement Category
services
How to submit
Compliant tenders must be submitted before the deadline through the tendering platform https://www.delta-esourcing.com/
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure

Covered By

GPA
CPTPP

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Lot Details

Award criteria

Description
It is planned to award up to three suppliers per lot. Suppliers can bid to be appointed to one of more lots and do not have to cover all tests in the lot(s) they bid for.

Expected award period

Ends
10 Sept 2025, 00:59

Tender Period

Ends
29 Jul 2025, 15:00

Communication

Future Notice Date
25 Jun 2025, 00:59

Enquiry period

Ends
15 Jul 2025, 01:00

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
Lot 1 Magnets Mechanical and Thermal tests
Title
Lot 1 Magnets Mechanical and Thermal tests
Status
planned
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
Tests included in the lots are as follows: Mechanical Tests Tensile Mechanical Tests Shear (at various angles) Mechanical Tests Interlaminar shear Mechanical Tests Combined compression-shear (at various angles) Mechanical Tests Bond strength Mechanical Tests Fatigue Thermal Tests Thermal conductivity Thermal Tests Coefficient of thermal expansion Thermal Tests Thermal shock and thermal cycling Thermal Tests Differential scanning calorimetry Thermal Tests Specific heat Please note the list is not exhaustive.

Value

Currency
GBP
Including VAT
1,400,000

Renewal

Description
Framework will be reopened for new entrants, with new tests included, after year 2 and year 4.

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Criterion 1
Type
price

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Name
Criterion 2
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
70
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
17 Oct 2027, 00:59
Starts
17 Oct 2025, 01:00
Max Extent Date
17 Oct 2031, 00:59
Entry 2
Id
Lot 2 Magnets Electrical Tests
Title
Lot 2 Magnets Electrical Tests
Status
planned
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
Tests included in the lots are as follows: Electrical Tests Contact resistance Electrical Tests Dielectric strength Electrical Tests Insulation resistance Electrical Tests Paschen breakdown Please note the list is not exhaustive.

Value

Currency
GBP
Including VAT
1,400,000

Renewal

Description
The framework will be reopened for new entrants and new tests after year 2 and year 4.

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Criterion 1
Type
price

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Name
Criterion 2
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
70
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
17 Oct 2027, 00:59
Starts
17 Oct 2025, 01:00
Max Extent Date
16 Nov 2031, 23:59
Entry 3
Id
Lot 3 Magnets REBCO Characterisation Tests
Title
Lot 3 Magnets REBCO Characterisation Tests
Status
planned
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
The following tests will be included in this lot: REBCO Coated Conductor TestsCritical current as a function of temperature, magnetic field strength and field angle REBCO Coated Conductor TestsCritical current as a function of axial strain applied along the tape REBCO Coated Conductor TestsShear strength along and/or across the tape REBCO Coated Conductor TestsUltimate tensile strength perpendicular to tape plane REBCO Coated Conductor TestsMinimum bend radius REBCO Coated Conductor TestsFailure strength due to out-of-balance loads perpendicular to tape plane REBCO Coated Conductor TestsPeel test Please note the list is not exhaustive.

Value

Currency
GBP
Including VAT
1,400,000

Renewal

Description
The framework will be reopened for new entrants and new tests after year 2 and year 4.

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Criterion 1
Type
price

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
20
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Name
Criterion 2
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
80
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
17 Oct 2027, 00:59
Starts
17 Oct 2025, 01:00
Max Extent Date
17 Oct 2031, 00:59
Entry 4
Id
Lot 4 VIVS Mechanical Tests
Title
Lot 4 VIVS Mechanical Tests
Status
planned
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
The following tests are included in this lot: Mechanical Tensile Mechanical Tensile - notched Mechanical Tensile - creep Mechanical Creep-fatigue - cyclic uniaxial Mechanical Microindentation Mechanical Impulse excitation Mechanical Shear (at various angles) Mechanical 4-point bend Mechanical 4-point bend - notched Mechanical 4-point bend - notched Mechanical Ball-on-3-ball Mechanical Fracture toughness - compact tension Mechanical Fracture toughness - impact Mechanical Ratcheting - cyclic tension/torsion Mechanical Fatigue crack growth - compact tension Mechanical Fatigue - thermomechanical Please note the list is not exhaustive.

Value

Currency
GBP
Including VAT
1,400,000

Renewal

Description
The framework will be reopened for new entrants and new tests after year 2 and year 4.

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Criterion 1
Type
price

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Name
Criterion 2
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
70
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
17 Oct 2027, 00:59
Starts
17 Oct 2025, 01:00
Max Extent Date
17 Oct 2031, 00:59
Entry 5
Id
Lot 5 VIVS Thermophysical Tests
Title
Lot 5 VIVS Thermophysical Tests
Status
planned
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
The following tests are included in this lot: ThermophysicalLaser flash ThermophysicalDilatometry ThermophysicalThermal shock and thermal cycling ThermophysicalDifferential scanning calorimetry ThermophysicalFatigue - thermal Please note the list is not exhaustive.

Value

Currency
GBP
Including VAT
1,400,000

Renewal

Description
The framework will be reopened for new entrants and new tests after year 2 and year 4.

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Criterion 1
Type
price

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Name
Criterion 2
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
70
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
16 Nov 2027, 23:59
Starts
17 Oct 2025, 01:00
Max Extent Date
16 Nov 2031, 23:59
Entry 6
Id
Lot 6 VIVS Non-standard Tests
Title
Lot 6 VIVS Non-standard Tests
Status
planned
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
This lot will include CompositionMass spectrometry testing as well as any non-standard testing requirements.

Value

Currency
GBP
Including VAT
1,400,000

Renewal

Description
The framework will be reopened for new entrants and new tests after year 2 and year 4.

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Criterion 1
Type
price

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
20
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Name
Criterion 2
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
80
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
17 Oct 2027, 00:59
Starts
17 Oct 2025, 01:00
Max Extent Date
16 Nov 2031, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
Lot 1 Magnets Mechanical and Thermal tests
Related Lot
Lot 1 Magnets Mechanical and Thermal tests

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
31157000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Inductors
Entry 2
Id
38970000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Research, testing and scientific technical simulator
Entry 3
Id
71600000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
Entry 4
Id
71610000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Composition and purity testing and analysis services
Entry 5
Id
71632000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Technical testing services
Item 2
Id
Lot 2 Magnets Electrical Tests
Related Lot
Lot 2 Magnets Electrical Tests

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
31157000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Inductors
Entry 2
Id
38970000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Research, testing and scientific technical simulator
Entry 3
Id
71600000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
Entry 4
Id
71610000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Composition and purity testing and analysis services
Entry 5
Id
71632000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Technical testing services
Item 3
Id
Lot 3 Magnets REBCO Characterisation Tests
Related Lot
Lot 3 Magnets REBCO Characterisation Tests

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
38970000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Research, testing and scientific technical simulator
Entry 2
Id
71600000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
Entry 3
Id
71610000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Composition and purity testing and analysis services
Entry 4
Id
71630000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Technical inspection and testing services
Item 4
Id
Lot 4 VIVS Mechanical Tests
Related Lot
Lot 4 VIVS Mechanical Tests

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
38970000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Research, testing and scientific technical simulator
Entry 2
Id
71334000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Mechanical and electrical engineering services
Entry 3
Id
71600000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
Entry 4
Id
71610000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Composition and purity testing and analysis services
Item 5
Id
Lot 5 VIVS Thermophysical Tests
Related Lot
Lot 5 VIVS Thermophysical Tests

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
38970000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Research, testing and scientific technical simulator
Entry 2
Id
71600000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
Entry 3
Id
71610000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Composition and purity testing and analysis services
Entry 4
Id
71632000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Technical testing services
Item 6
Id
Lot 6 VIVS Non-standard Tests
Related Lot
Lot 6 VIVS Non-standard Tests

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
38970000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Research, testing and scientific technical simulator
Entry 2
Id
71600000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
Entry 3
Id
71610000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Composition and purity testing and analysis services
Entry 4
Id
71632000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Technical testing services

Planning and budget

Documents

Entry 1
Id
029009-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK3
Description
Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
plannedProcurementNotice
Published
2 Jun 2025, 10:05

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-PPON-PCRM-7973-DCBL
Name
UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKJ14
Country
GB
Locality
Abingdon
Postal Code
OX14 3DB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Culham Science Centre

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Description
Public authority - sub-central government

Identifier

Id
PCRM-7973-DCBL
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Telephone
+44 1235 464381

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Abingdon · UKJ14 · OX14 3DB · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UK · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-052a46-2025-06-02T10:05:06+01:00Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender ·