Scope
Reference
T/MN109/25
Description
A. Lot 1- THALIA Project The THALIA Project serves as the parent initiative with the primary goal of testing and validating analytical work-up methods and instrumentation for tritium accountancy in molten breeder material matrices. The THALIA workstream will be structured into dedicated functional areas, each designed to support specific activities: • Molten breeder handling area - for heating and maintaining breeder material in a molten state, equipped with a purpose-built tritium introduction system to accurately dose and generate tritiated breeder material samples at required concentrations. • Preparation area - for weighing and formulating molten breeder materials, including dosing with impurities where required. • Sample collection and cooling area - for safe collection and solidification of samples. • Sample analysis preparation area - for wet chemistry sample preparation and sample darkening, following methodologies developed under the ERATO Project. • Liquid Scintillation Counting (LSC) analysis - following preparation into a suitable LSC cocktail, samples will be analysed using LSC instrumentation. The LIBRTI programme is a central component of UKAEA's fusion energy mission, specifically focusing on the safe and effective handling, storage, and processing of tritium-a critical fuel for fusion reactors. B. Lot 2 - LIBRTI Facility Project The LIBRTI Facility Project aims to establish Liquid Scintillation Counting (LSC) capabilities through collaboration with partner organisations, enabling the training of future personnel working at the neutron facility. This capability underpins tritium breeding research, including the analysis of purge gases and breeder materials such as solid, liquid, and molten salts. A sample oxidizer will be required for preparing solid samples that cannot be directly processed for LSC analysis. Following oxidation and preparation into a suitable LSC cocktail, samples will be analysed via LSC instrumentation.
Total value (estimated)
- £540,000 excluding VAT
- £648,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 22 December 2025 to 1 April 2026
- 3 months, 11 days
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 38943000 - Beta counters
- 38942000 - Alpha beta counters
- 38944000 - Beta gamma counters
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
11 November 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
19 November 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
5 December 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Questions | Segments into: Technical and Experience (Mandatory and Conditional scope) Programme Adherence Social Value |
Quality | 80% |
| Commercial Questions | Fixed price determined for both lots, with separated pricing for mandatory and conditional scopes. Rates card for staffing also required. |
Price | 20% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
The main base of the tender is three identical LSC machines, of which there is an established supplier base in the UK of several providers. Given that these items are 'Off-the-shelf', there would have been limited benefit from engaging with the market prior to this notice.
Contracting authority
UK Atomic Energy Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLJV-1169-JTDD
Culham Science Centre
Oxfordshire
OX14 3DB
United Kingdom
Contact name: Maili Nugent
Telephone: +44 1235468141
Email: maili.nugent@ukaea.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority
Region: UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government