UK Fusion Energy Ltd has published this notice through Delta eSourcing
| Notice Summary |
|---|
| Title: | Laser Induced Desorption System for Measuring First Wall Retention in STEP |
| Notice type: | UK4: Tender notice |
| Authority: | UK Fusion Energy Ltd |
| Nature of contract: | Services |
| Procedure: | Below threshold - Open competition |
| Short Description: | UK Fusion Energy Ltd (UKFE) is seeking to appoint a supplier to undertake the concept design of a system capable of in-situ quantification of tritium retention within plasma-facing (first wall) materials for the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme. STEP is the UK's flagship fusion energy programme, sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), and aims to design and construct the UK's first prototype fusion power plant capable of demonstrating net energy production, fuel self-sufficiency and a viable route to plant maintenance. UKFE, a wholly owned subsidiary of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), is responsible for delivering the programme. A key challenge for future fusion power plants is the management of tritium, which serves as a fuel for the deuterium-tritium fusion reaction. Tritium is both radioactive and scarce, making accurate measurement of its retention within plasma-facing components essential to demonstrating fuel self-sufficiency, supporting tritium accountancy, and monitoring the condition of first wall materials throughout plant operation. The successful supplier will develop a concept design for a measurement system capable of operating within the demanding environment of a fusion power plant, taking into account constraints such as neutron radiation, strong magnetic fields, thermal loading, limited installation space, and exposure to radioactive materials. This procurement represents the initial concept design phase of a wider programme of work. Subject to future funding and programme approvals, the outputs of this contract are expected to inform subsequent detailed design activities, technology maturation, de-risking and testing, and ultimately the development of an integrated tritium measurement system for deployment within the STEP tokamak. |
| Published: | 20/08/2026 13:52 |
Laser Induced Desorption System for Measuring First Wall Retention in STEP
Contracting authority
- Contracting authority:
- UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd
- Public Procurement Organisation Number:
- PCRM-7973-DCBL
- Address:
Culham Science Centre, Abingdon
Abingdon
OX14 3DB
UK- Contact name:
- Operational Procurement
- Email:
- operationalprocurement.step@ukifs.uk
- Telephone:
- Not provided
- Website:
- Not provided
- Organisation type:
- BODY_PUBLIC
- Devolved regulations that apply:
- None
Procedure
- Procedure type:
Below threshold - open competition- Dynamic market:
- Not provided
- Special regime:
None
Scope
- Title:
- Laser Induced Desorption System for Measuring First Wall Retention in STEP
- Reference number:
- PP-UKIFS-572
- Main procurement category:
- SERVICES
- Description:
- UK Fusion Energy Ltd (UKFE) is seeking to appoint a supplier to undertake the concept design of a system capable of in-situ quantification of tritium retention within plasma-facing (first wall) materials for the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme.
STEP is the UK's flagship fusion energy programme, sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), and aims to design and construct the UK's first prototype fusion power plant capable of demonstrating net energy production, fuel self-sufficiency and a viable route to plant maintenance. UKFE, a wholly owned subsidiary of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), is responsible for delivering the programme.
A key challenge for future fusion power plants is the management of tritium, which serves as a fuel for the deuterium-tritium fusion reaction. Tritium is both radioactive and scarce, making accurate measurement of its retention within plasma-facing components essential to demonstrating fuel self-sufficiency, supporting tritium accountancy, and monitoring the condition of first wall materials throughout plant operation.
The successful supplier will develop a concept design for a measurement system capable of operating within the demanding environment of a fusion power plant, taking into account constraints such as neutron radiation, strong magnetic fields, thermal loading, limited installation space, and exposure to radioactive materials.
This procurement represents the initial concept design phase of a wider programme of work. Subject to future funding and programme approvals, the outputs of this contract are expected to inform subsequent detailed design activities, technology maturation, de-risking and testing, and ultimately the development of an integrated tritium measurement system for deployment within the STEP tokamak. - Total value (estimated):
GBP 75,000 excluding VAT
GBP 90,000 including VAT
Description
- Description:
- Not provided
- Suitable for SMEs:
- Yes
- Suitable for VCSEs:
- No
- Contract dates (estimated):
- 08/10/2026 to 31/03/2027
- CPV classifications:
71300000 - Engineering services.
71320000 - Engineering design services.
71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services.
73100000 - Research and experimental development services.
73111000 - Research laboratory services.
73120000 - Experimental development services.- Contract can be extended:
- No
- Delivery regions:
UK - UNITED KINGDOM- Award criteria:
Name: Commercial / Weighting: 20
Name: Technical / Weighting: 60
Name: Social Value / Weighting: 20
Documents
- Associated tender documents:
Not provided- Technical specifications:
Not provided
Submission
- Enquiry deadline:
- 31/08/2026 Time: 12:00
- Tender submission deadline:
- 07/09/2026 Time: 12:00
- Submission address and any special instructions:
- To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://ukifs.delta-esorcing.com/respond/GHYYZHV8Q5 - An electronic auction will be used:
No
Other information
- Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation:
- Not provided
- Technical ability conditions of participation:
- Not provided
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP):
- No
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA):
- No
- A conflicts assessment has been prepared and revised:
- No
Other organisations
Not provided
Award Notice
Laser Induced Desorption System for Measuring First Wall Retention in STEP
Contracting Authorities
- Contracting authority:
- UK Fusion Energy Ltd
- Public Procurement Organisation Number:
- PCRM-7973-DCBL
- Address:
Culham Science Centre, Abingdon
Abingdon
OX14 3DB
UK- Contact name:
- Operational Procurement
- Email:
- operationalprocurement.step@ukifs.uk
- Telephone:
- Not provided
- Website:
- Not provided
- Organisation type:
- BODY_PUBLIC
- Devolved regulations that apply:
- None
Procedure
- Procedure type:
Below threshold - open competition- Dynamic market:
- Not provided
- Special regime:
None
Scope
- Title:
- Laser Induced Desorption System for Measuring First Wall Retention in STEP
- Reference number:
- PP-UKFE-142
- Main procurement category:
- SERVICES
- Description:
- UK Fusion Energy Ltd (UKFE) is seeking to appoint a supplier to undertake the concept design of a system capable of in-situ quantification of tritium retention within plasma-facing (first wall) materials for the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme.
STEP is the UK's flagship fusion energy programme, sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), and aims to design and construct the UK's first prototype fusion power plant capable of demonstrating net energy production, fuel self-sufficiency and a viable route to plant maintenance. UKFE, a wholly owned subsidiary of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), is responsible for delivering the programme.
A key challenge for future fusion power plants is the management of tritium, which serves as a fuel for the deuterium-tritium fusion reaction. Tritium is both radioactive and scarce, making accurate measurement of its retention within plasma-facing components essential to demonstrating fuel self-sufficiency, supporting tritium accountancy, and monitoring the condition of first wall materials throughout plant operation.
The successful supplier will develop a concept design for a measurement system capable of operating within the demanding environment of a fusion power plant, taking into account constraints such as neutron radiation, strong magnetic fields, thermal loading, limited installation space, and exposure to radioactive materials.
This procurement represents the initial concept design phase of a wider programme of work. Subject to future funding and programme approvals, the outputs of this contract are expected to inform subsequent detailed design activities, technology maturation, de-risking and testing, and ultimately the development of an integrated tritium measurement system for deployment within the STEP tokamak. - Total value (estimated):
GBP 75,000 excluding VAT
GBP 90,000 including VAT
- Contract value:
- GBP 90,000 including VAT
Contract Details
Contract 1
- Title:
- Laser Induced Desorption System for Measuring First Wall Retention in STEP
- Reference number:
- Not provided
- Contract value:
- GBP 88,464 including VAT
- Below the relevant threshold:
- Yes
- Award decision date:
- 16/09/2026
- Earliest date the contract will be signed:
- 28/09/2026
- Contract dates (estimated):
- 08/10/2026 to 31/03/2027
- Main procurement category:
- SERVICES
- CPV classifications:
71300000 - Engineering services.
71320000 - Engineering design services.
71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services.
73100000 - Research and experimental development services.
73111000 - Research laboratory services.
73120000 - Experimental development services.- Delivery regions:
UK - UNITED KINGDOM
Supplier
- Supplier:
- IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture S.A.U.
- Companies House:
- PGXH-3739-CTPL
- Address:
Avenida Zarandoa 23, Bilbao
Bizkaia
48015
ES- Email:
- maitane.amarika@idom.com
- Telephone:
- Not provided
- Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME):
- No
- Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE):
- No
- Supported employment provider:
- No
- Public service mutual:
- No
Other organisations
Not provided