UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd has published this notice through Delta eSourcing
| Notice Summary |
|---|
| Title: | Materials Testing Framework for STEP - UKIFS |
| Notice type: | UK3: Planned procurement notice |
| Authority: | UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd |
| Nature of contract: | Services |
| Procedure: | Above threshold - Open procedure |
| Short Description: | UKIFS STEP programme (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) seeks to establish a materials testing framework as follows: 1.Magnets materials testing – mechanical/ thermal, electrical, and REBCO tests under cryogenic conditions at a range of temperatures down to 20 K, for magnet materials (HTS tapes, metals, insulators (composites), solders), and mock-up samples of magnets and structures where applicable. 2.Vacuum Vessel & In-Vessel Systems (VIVS) manufacturing testing – mechanical, thermophysical and bespoke materials testing required to build a reliable material property database for increasing confidence in the system design into four key technologies: breeder blankets, divertors, plasma facing components and shields. Two previous Requests for Information for this requirements were published with the following notices: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000564-2025 https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002310-2025 We are looking for suppliers who can provide a range of services (one of more tests) to join the framework that will be in operation over the next 6 years (2 years + 2 years + 2 years). Tender publication is planned for 24th June. As part of the tender, bidders will be invited to attend a webinar explaining framework format and framework management principles. |
| Published: | 01/06/2025 20:27 |
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Scope
Description: UKIFS STEP programme (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) seeks to establish a materials testing framework as follows:
1.Magnets materials testing – mechanical/ thermal, electrical, and REBCO tests under cryogenic conditions at a range of temperatures down to 20 K, for magnet materials (HTS tapes, metals, insulators (composites), solders), and mock-up samples of magnets and structures where applicable.
2.Vacuum Vessel & In-Vessel Systems (VIVS) manufacturing testing – mechanical, thermophysical and bespoke materials testing required to build a reliable material property database for increasing confidence in the system design into four key technologies: breeder blankets, divertors, plasma facing components and shields.
Two previous Requests for Information for this requirements were published with the following notices:
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000564-2025
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002310-2025
We are looking for suppliers who can provide a range of services (one of more tests) to join the framework that will be in operation over the next 6 years (2 years + 2 years + 2 years). Tender publication is planned for 24th June.
As part of the tender, bidders will be invited to attend a webinar explaining framework format and framework management principles.
To view this notice, please click here:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=954979795
Total value (estimated):
GBP 7,000,000 excluding VAT GBP 8,400,000 including VAT
Lots
Lot Lot 1 Magnets Mechanical and Thermal tests : Lot 1 Magnets Mechanical and Thermal tests
Description: Tests included in the lots are as follows:
Mechanical Tests Tensile
Mechanical Tests Shear (at various angles)
Mechanical Tests Interlaminar shear
Mechanical Tests Combined compression-shear (at various angles)
Mechanical Tests Bond strength
Mechanical Tests Fatigue
Thermal Tests Thermal conductivity
Thermal Tests Coefficient of thermal expansion
Thermal Tests Thermal shock and thermal cycling
Thermal Tests Differential scanning calorimetry
Thermal Tests Specific heat
Please note the list is not exhaustive.
Value (estimated):
GBP 1,400,000 including VAT Contract dates (estimated)
17/10/2025 to 16/10/2027
CPV Classifications:
31157000 - Inductors. 38970000 - Research, testing and scientific technical simulator. 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services. 71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services. 71632000 - Technical testing services.
Contract can be extended:
Yes
Extension Date:
16/10/2031
Delivery regions:
UK UNITED KINGDOM
Award criteria:
Quality criterion - Name: Criterion 1 / Weighting: 30
Quality criterion - Name: Criterion 2 / Weighting: 70
Lot Lot 2 Magnets Electrical Tests : Lot 2 Magnets Electrical Tests
Description: Tests included in the lots are as follows:
Electrical Tests Contact resistance
Electrical Tests Dielectric strength
Electrical Tests Insulation resistance
Electrical Tests Paschen breakdown
Please note the list is not exhaustive.
Value (estimated):
GBP 1,400,000 including VAT Contract dates (estimated)
17/10/2025 to 16/10/2027
CPV Classifications:
31157000 - Inductors. 38970000 - Research, testing and scientific technical simulator. 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services. 71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services. 71632000 - Technical testing services.
Contract can be extended:
Yes
Extension Date:
16/11/2031
Delivery regions:
UK UNITED KINGDOM
Award criteria:
Quality criterion - Name: Criterion 1 / Weighting: 30
Quality criterion - Name: Criterion 2 / Weighting: 70
Lot Lot 3 Magnets REBCO Characterisation Tests : Lot 3 Magnets REBCO Characterisation Tests
Description: The following tests will be included in this lot:
REBCO Coated Conductor TestsCritical current as a function of temperature, magnetic field strength and field angle
REBCO Coated Conductor TestsCritical current as a function of axial strain applied along the tape
REBCO Coated Conductor TestsShear strength along and/or across the tape
REBCO Coated Conductor TestsUltimate tensile strength perpendicular to tape plane
REBCO Coated Conductor TestsMinimum bend radius
REBCO Coated Conductor TestsFailure strength due to out-of-balance loads perpendicular to tape plane
REBCO Coated Conductor TestsPeel test
Please note the list is not exhaustive.
Value (estimated):
GBP 1,400,000 including VAT Contract dates (estimated)
17/10/2025 to 16/10/2027
CPV Classifications:
38970000 - Research, testing and scientific technical simulator. 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services. 71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services. 71630000 - Technical inspection and testing services.
Contract can be extended:
Yes
Extension Date:
16/10/2031
Delivery regions:
UK UNITED KINGDOM
Award criteria:
Quality criterion - Name: Criterion 1 / Weighting: 20
Quality criterion - Name: Criterion 2 / Weighting: 80
Lot Lot 4 VIVS Mechanical Tests : Lot 4 VIVS Mechanical Tests
Description: The following tests are included in this lot:
Mechanical Tensile
Mechanical Tensile - notched
Mechanical Tensile - creep
Mechanical Creep-fatigue - cyclic uniaxial
Mechanical Microindentation
Mechanical Impulse excitation
Mechanical Shear (at various angles)
Mechanical 4-point bend
Mechanical 4-point bend - notched
Mechanical 4-point bend - notched
Mechanical Ball-on-3-ball
Mechanical Fracture toughness - compact tension
Mechanical Fracture toughness - impact
Mechanical Ratcheting - cyclic tension/torsion
Mechanical Fatigue crack growth - compact tension
Mechanical Fatigue - thermomechanical
Please note the list is not exhaustive.
Value (estimated):
GBP 1,400,000 including VAT Contract dates (estimated)
17/10/2025 to 16/10/2027
CPV Classifications:
38970000 - Research, testing and scientific technical simulator. 71334000 - Mechanical and electrical engineering services. 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services. 71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services.
Contract can be extended:
Yes
Extension Date:
16/10/2031
Delivery regions:
UK UNITED KINGDOM
Award criteria:
Quality criterion - Name: Criterion 1 / Weighting: 30
Quality criterion - Name: Criterion 2 / Weighting: 70
Lot Lot 5 VIVS Thermophysical Tests : Lot 5 VIVS Thermophysical Tests
Description: The following tests are included in this lot:
ThermophysicalLaser flash
ThermophysicalDilatometry
ThermophysicalThermal shock and thermal cycling
ThermophysicalDifferential scanning calorimetry
ThermophysicalFatigue - thermal
Please note the list is not exhaustive.
Value (estimated):
GBP 1,400,000 including VAT Contract dates (estimated)
17/10/2025 to 16/11/2027
CPV Classifications:
38970000 - Research, testing and scientific technical simulator. 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services. 71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services. 71632000 - Technical testing services.
Contract can be extended:
Yes
Extension Date:
16/11/2031
Delivery regions:
UK UNITED KINGDOM
Award criteria:
Quality criterion - Name: Criterion 1 / Weighting: 30
Quality criterion - Name: Criterion 2 / Weighting: 70
Lot Lot 6 VIVS Non-standard Tests : Lot 6 VIVS Non-standard Tests
Description: This lot will include CompositionMass spectrometry testing as well as any non-standard testing requirements.
Value (estimated):
GBP 1,400,000 including VAT Contract dates (estimated)
17/10/2025 to 16/10/2027
CPV Classifications:
38970000 - Research, testing and scientific technical simulator. 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services. 71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services. 71632000 - Technical testing services.
Contract can be extended:
Yes
Extension Date:
16/11/2031
Delivery regions:
UK UNITED KINGDOM
Award criteria:
Quality criterion - Name: Criterion 1 / Weighting: 20
Quality criterion - Name: Criterion 2 / Weighting: 80
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated): 24/06/2025 Enquiry deadline: 15/07/2025 Tender submission deadline: 29/07/2025 Time: 14:00
Submission address and any special instructions: Compliant tenders must be submitted before the deadline through the tendering platform https://www.delta-esourcing.com/
An electronic auction will be used: No
Languages that may be used for submission: English, Award decision date (estimated): 09/09/2025
Procedure
Procedure type: Open procedure
Contracting authority
UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd, PCRM-7973-DCBL
Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, OX14 3DB, United Kingdom
Tel. +44 1235 464381, Email: operationalprocurement.step@ukifs.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-industrial-fusion-solutions
Organisation type: BODY_PUBLIC
Devolved regulations that apply: None