Contract

Diffusion Bonding Furnace

  • United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

F03: Contract award notice

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-000115

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-039b0c

Published 3 January 2025, 4:16pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

Culham Campus

Abingdon

OX14 3DB

Contact

Charlotte Byrne

Email

charlotte.byrne@ukaea.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKJ14 - Oxfordshire

National registration number

N/A

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority

Buyer's address

https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/72814

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Other activity

Fusion Research


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Diffusion Bonding Furnace

Reference number

T/CB008/23

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 42300000 - Industrial or laboratory furnaces, incinerators and ovens

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

UKAEA researches fusion energy and related technologies, with the aim of positioning the UK as a leader in sustainable nuclear energy.

As part of a renovation and upgrade plan of the Special Techniques Group (STG) capabilities, new diffusion bonding equipment has been identified to be added as a key capability.

This project's scope shall include the design, manufacture, installation, and commissioning of a diffusion bonding furnace for UKAEA’s facilities at Oxfordshire.

​The requirement is to procure a capability to create diffusion bonded joints and components for specified materials. Currently, in fusion, there is an increased interest in tungsten and its alloys & CuCrZr components. Diffusion bonding is envisaged as one of the most promising techniques to joint this material.

This procurement will be via a Competitive Dialogue process.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: £530,000

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 42300000 - Industrial or laboratory furnaces, incinerators and ovens

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Culham

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) was formed in 1954 when the British Government set up a new body to oversee the nation’s nuclear research programme. UKAEA is a non-departmental public body (NDPB), under the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

UKAEA researches fusion energy and related technologies, with the aim of positioning the UK as a leader in sustainable nuclear energy.

As part of a renovation and upgrade plan of the Special Techniques Group (STG) capabilities, new diffusion bonding equipment has been identified to be added as a key capability.

This project's scope shall include the design, manufacture, installation, and commissioning of a diffusion bonding furnace for UKAEA’s facilities at Oxfordshire.

​The requirement is to procure a capability to create diffusion bonded joints and components for specified materials. Currently, in fusion, there is an increased interest in tungsten and its alloys & CuCrZr components. Diffusion bonding is envisaged as one of the most promising techniques to joint this material.

This procurement will be via a Competitive Dialogue process.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Working volume / Weighting: 10%

Quality criterion - Name: Maximum force / Weighting: 10%

Quality criterion - Name: Minimum force / Weighting: 10%

Quality criterion - Name: Vacuum pumping / Weighting: 10%

Quality criterion - Name: Inert atmosphere / Weighting: 10%

Quality criterion - Name: Reducing atmosphere / Weighting: 10%

Quality criterion - Name: Delivery schedule / Weighting: 10%

Quality criterion - Name: Social value / Weighting: 10%

Price - Weighting: 20%

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Competitive dialogue

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number: 2024/S 000-010084


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

1

Title

Diffusion Bonding Furnace

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

3 January 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 3

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 3

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 3

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

HHV Ltd

Unit 14a

Crawley

RH10 9QX

Email

vivpandey@hhvltd.com

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
National registration number

GB943581016

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Lowest offer: £530,000 / Highest offer: £530,000 taken into consideration


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

UK Atomic Energy Authority

Culham Science Centre

Abingdon

OX14 3DB

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority

six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures

UK Atomic Energy Authority

Culham Science Centre

Abingdon

OX14 3DB

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority

six.4.3) Review procedure

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures

VI.4.2)Body responsible for mediation procedures

VI.4.3)Review procedure

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:

The authority will incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period at the point information on the award of the contract is communicated to tenderers.

This period allows unsuccessful tenderers to seek further debriefing from the authority before a contract is entered into applicants have 2 working days from the notification of the award decision to request. Additional debriefing and that information have to be provided within a minimum of 3 working days before the expiry of the standstill period. Such additional information should be sought from the contact named in this notice.

If an appeal regarding the award of a contract has not been successfully resolved, the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (SI 2015 No. 102) provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland).

Any such action must be brought promptly.

(generally within 3 months).

six.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained

UK Atomic Energy Authority

Culham Science Centre

Abingdon

OX14 3DB

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority