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.
Contract 1. Liquid Scintillation Counter Procurement for ERATO/THALIA and LIBRTI Project
Supplier
Contract value
- £708,620 excluding VAT
- £850,344 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
3 December 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
3 December 2025
Standstill period
- End: 12 December 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
16 December 2025
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
Information about tenders
- 3 tenders received
- 3 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 3 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 2 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Supplier
Southern Scientific Ltd.
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXMH-3166-PNVW
Scientific House, The Henfield Business Park, Shor
Henfield
BN5 9SL
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 1273497600
Region: UKJ28 - West Sussex (North East)
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Liquid Scintillation Counter Procurement for ERATO/THALIA and LIBRTI Project
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