- Lot Lot 1 Magnets Mechanical and Thermal tests. Lot 1 Magnets Mechanical and Thermal tests
- Lot Lot 2 Magnets Electrical Tests. Lot 2 Magnets Electrical Tests
- Lot Lot 3 Magnets REBCO Characterisation Tests. Lot 3 Magnets REBCO Characterisation Tests
- Lot Lot 4 VIVS Mechanical Tests. Lot 4 VIVS Mechanical Tests
- Lot Lot 5 VIVS Thermophysical Tests. Lot 5 VIVS Thermophysical Tests
- Lot Lot 6 VIVS Non-standard Tests. Lot 6 VIVS Non-standard Tests
Scope
Description
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
Total value (estimated)
- £7,000,000 excluding VAT
- £8,400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Main procurement category
Services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
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.
Not the same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in Lot sections, because they are not the same for all lots.
Lot Lot 1 Magnets Mechanical and Thermal tests. Lot 1 Magnets Mechanical and Thermal tests
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.
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,400,000 including VAT
Contract dates (estimated)
- 17 October 2025 to 17 October 2027
- Possible extension to 17 October 2031
- 6 years, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
Framework will be reopened for new entrants, with new tests included, after year 2 and year 4.
CPV classifications
- 31157000 - Inductors
- 38970000 - Research, testing and scientific technical simulator
- 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
- 71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services
- 71632000 - Technical testing services
Same for all lots
Contract locations are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot Lot 2 Magnets Electrical Tests. Lot 2 Magnets Electrical Tests
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.
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,400,000 including VAT
Contract dates (estimated)
- 17 October 2025 to 17 October 2027
- Possible extension to 16 November 2031
- 6 years, 1 month
Description of possible extension:
The framework will be reopened for new entrants and new tests after year 2 and year 4.
CPV classifications
- 31157000 - Inductors
- 38970000 - Research, testing and scientific technical simulator
- 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
- 71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services
- 71632000 - Technical testing services
Same for all lots
Contract locations are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot Lot 3 Magnets REBCO Characterisation Tests. Lot 3 Magnets REBCO Characterisation Tests
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.
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,400,000 including VAT
Contract dates (estimated)
- 17 October 2025 to 17 October 2027
- Possible extension to 17 October 2031
- 6 years, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
The framework will be reopened for new entrants and new tests after year 2 and year 4.
CPV classifications
- 38970000 - Research, testing and scientific technical simulator
- 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
- 71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services
- 71630000 - Technical inspection and testing services
Same for all lots
Contract locations are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot Lot 4 VIVS Mechanical Tests. Lot 4 VIVS Mechanical Tests
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.
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,400,000 including VAT
Contract dates (estimated)
- 17 October 2025 to 17 October 2027
- Possible extension to 17 October 2031
- 6 years, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
The framework will be reopened for new entrants and new tests after year 2 and year 4.
CPV classifications
- 38970000 - Research, testing and scientific technical simulator
- 71334000 - Mechanical and electrical engineering services
- 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
- 71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services
Same for all lots
Contract locations are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot Lot 5 VIVS Thermophysical Tests. Lot 5 VIVS Thermophysical Tests
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.
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,400,000 including VAT
Contract dates (estimated)
- 17 October 2025 to 16 November 2027
- Possible extension to 16 November 2031
- 6 years, 1 month
Description of possible extension:
The framework will be reopened for new entrants and new tests after year 2 and year 4.
CPV classifications
- 38970000 - Research, testing and scientific technical simulator
- 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
- 71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services
- 71632000 - Technical testing services
Same for all lots
Contract locations are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot Lot 6 VIVS Non-standard Tests. Lot 6 VIVS Non-standard Tests
Description
This lot will include CompositionMass spectrometry testing as well as any non-standard testing requirements.
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,400,000 including VAT
Contract dates (estimated)
- 17 October 2025 to 17 October 2027
- Possible extension to 16 November 2031
- 6 years, 1 month
Description of possible extension:
The framework will be reopened for new entrants and new tests after year 2 and year 4.
CPV classifications
- 38970000 - Research, testing and scientific technical simulator
- 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
- 71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services
- 71632000 - Technical testing services
Same for all lots
Contract locations are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot Lot 1 Magnets Mechanical and Thermal tests. Lot 1 Magnets Mechanical and Thermal tests
Lot Lot 2 Magnets Electrical Tests. Lot 2 Magnets Electrical Tests
Lot Lot 3 Magnets REBCO Characterisation Tests. Lot 3 Magnets REBCO Characterisation Tests
Lot Lot 4 VIVS Mechanical Tests. Lot 4 VIVS Mechanical Tests
Lot Lot 5 VIVS Thermophysical Tests. Lot 5 VIVS Thermophysical Tests
Lot Lot 6 VIVS Non-standard Tests. Lot 6 VIVS Non-standard Tests
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
25 June 2025
Enquiry deadline
15 July 2025, 1:00am
Tender submission deadline
29 July 2025, 3:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Compliant tenders must be submitted before the deadline through the tendering platform https://www.delta-esourcing.com/
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
10 September 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Criterion 2 | Quality | 80% |
| Criterion 1 | Price | 20% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCRM-7973-DCBL
Culham Science Centre
Abingdon
OX14 3DB
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 1235 464381
Region: UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government