UK Fusion Energy Ltd: 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

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