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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Cryomechanical test frame for materials qualification

UK Atomic Energy Authority · Transparency notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 5 Oct 2026, 00:07.

Opportunity overview

Envisaged scope of supply • Dry cryostat compatible with digital image correlation, conventional contact-based extensometery and point sensors (e.g., strain gauges). Some compromise in performance is permissible when conducting measurements using DIC setups requiring windows. Target temperature is as low as possible, minimum temperature requirement is 10 K (with DIC). • Temperature control to within +- 1 K. • Modularity and flexibility to support a range of diagnostics and potential future modifications. • Sufficiently large enough to accommodate standard sized testing in line with ASTM E8 and E606 • Must also be compatible with small scale materials testing (e.g., SSJ3 sample). • Robust high vacuum chamber with appropriate thermal radiation shielding. • Must be able to support a fully aligned rigid load string. • The load string should be flexible and allow the testing of complex geometry samples and subcomponents. • Diagnostics to help optimise the performance of the system. I.e. be flexible enough to optimise conduction pathways. • Quick sample changeover is highly desirable. Preferred testing throughput of at least 2 tests a day for tensile testing. • Must be able to support long term testing programmes in excess of 100 tests. • Robust and repeatable temperature control system and sensor interface with sample. • Must interface with a four columns Zwick SS-CF Kappa 100 kN load frame or similar. • Pull bar feed throughs with bellows. • Vacuum pumping solutions via suitable flanges. • Support a minimum vacuum of 1 x 10-6 mbar. • Ability to backfill vacuum using dry gas (e.g. from compressed N2 cylinder) • Windows and ports to facilitate and permit digital image correlation (DIC). • Sufficient access to permit DIC calibration. • Doors and/or sufficient access to permit sample exchange. • Be able to support uniform temperature testing. • Be able to actively monitor temperature at specific locations on the sample. • Be able to apply a thermal gradient across the specimen with 50 K difference from either end of the gauge length of the specimen (Stretch target). • Feedthroughs for in-chamber services (e.g., cryo pump, diagnostics, etc… ). • Easy to use control system. • Control system allows vacuum and cooling to automatically start via timer (to optimise test throughput). • Extensometer feed throughs and supports. • Heating solution mechanical supports (if required), access, and service feedthroughs. • Internal heating to speed up warm up. • Be able to operate for prolonged periods of time in order to support fatigue testing. • Cryogenic TMF testing capability is also desirable but not essential.

Classification

No classification was supplied.

Lots

  • Lot LOT-0000Value not stated

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
JNCA/TM155/25
Status
complete
Procurement Method
direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Why this procedure was chosen
For technical reasons there is only one possible supplier

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Procedure reasons

Entry 1
Id
switchingDirectAward

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
LOT-0000
Status
complete

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
conflictOfInterest
Document Type
conflictOfInterest
Description
Not published

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
UK Atomic Energy Authority
Id
GB-PPON-PLJV-1169-JTDD

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PLJV-1169-JTDD

Address

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

Contact

Name
Tony Morris
Telephone
+12 35528822

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

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

Award information

Award 1
Id
1
Title
Cryomechanical test frame for materials qualification
Status
pending
Main Procurement Category
services
Above Threshold
Yes

Items

Item 1
Id
LOT-0000
Related Lot
LOT-0000

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
51000000
Description
Installation services (except software)

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Value

Including VAT
743,400
Amount
619,500
Currency
GBP

Contract period

Starts
5 Feb 2026, 00:00
Ends
31 Mar 2026, 23:59

Related lots

LOT-0000

Documents

Entry 1
Id
010500-2026
Document Type
awardNotice
Notice Type
UK5
Description
Transparency notice on Find a Tender
Published
5 Feb 2026, 13:57
Format
text/html

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
1
Type
futureSignatureDate
Due
5 Feb 2026, 23:59
Status
scheduled

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Oxfordshire · UKJ14 · OX14 3DB · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. 010500-2026Transparency notice on Find a Tender ·