Scope
Reference
UKRI-5168
Description
The Central Laser facility (CLF), part of UKRI's Science and Technology Facilities Council, is investigating the use of steel shielding bricks for a specialised radiation shielding application as a potential replacement for lead shielding blocks. To be a consideration, we would need to be able to purchase a large quantity of steel chevron blocks, comparable in design and tolerancing to that of readily available lead chevrons. As such We would be looking for blocks that meet or exceed the mechanical requirements of BS 4513:1969 (Specification for lead bricks for radiation shielding), type V. This includes a linear tolerances of ±0.2mm. Any production method that can meet these requirements would be considered. While special bricks will be required for wall edging most of the bricks will need to be "Plain Bricks" measuring 50x100x150 (BS 4513: V50/7, extended 50mm in breadth). As such solely production of these bricks will be considered in this PMEN. Any Iron based alloy would be acceptable so long as its density meets or exceeds 7.85 tonne/m³. The bricks would need to be coated to prevent rust formation, any coating must be considered so as the finished block does not deviate from the mechanical requirements of BS 4513. To be considered as a potential alternative for the lead shielding, the cost of manufacture would need to be below or equal to that of the lead shielding (on a weight for weight basis). Total quantity required would be around 88.5 tonne, for around 15,000 blocks. We would therefore require costs to be under £330,000 (£3,750/tonne, £22 per block). If delivery is to be in a single stage, blocks would be required by the end of March 2026. However, we would be interested in a staged delivery process as this would allow installation and manufacture to run concurrently, minimising storage requirements for both CLF and supplier.
Total value (estimated)
- £330,000 excluding VAT
- £396,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 28 November 2025 to 27 March 2026
- 4 months
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 42950000 - Parts of general-purpose machinery
- 45223210 - Structural steelworks
Contract locations
- UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
Engagement
Engagement deadline
11 September 2025
Engagement process description
UKRI-STFC with be holding a Supplier Engagement Session at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire on Thursday 11th September. The session will last no more than 2 hours and a maximum of two attendees from each supplier organisation to register for the session. The session will start at 10am (Arrival time to be 9:30am). A presentation and drawings to explain the requirement will be issued on the day. To book onto the Supplier Engagement Session, please submit the names, email addresses, contact phone numbers and vehicle registrations you would like to book onto to the following email address: STFCprocurement@ukri.org, with the subject in the email being UKRI-5168 Provision of Steel Chevrons-EOI. Please confirm your attendance no later than 12pm (noon) on Wednesday 10th September. You should bring photo ID with you to RAL otherwise you may not be allowed on site. The full address is; Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QX. If you would like to review the drawings before registering for the supplier event to determine whether this requirement is suitable for you, please email stfcprocurement@ukri.org with the subject line: UKRI-5168 Provision of Steel Chevrons - Drawings.
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Contracting authority
UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDQJ-7126-JDHG
Polaris House
Swindon, Wiltshire
SN2 1FL
United Kingdom
Email: stfcprocurement@ukri.org
Website: https://www.ukri.org/
Region: UKK14 - Swindon
Organisation type: Public authority - central government