Official UK procurement notice
Large Ti Furnace Hydraulic Modifications
Authority: University of Sheffield (Education)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe requirement is for the servicing and modernization of the VAC 4 titanium vacuum arc re-melting furnace (304170) hydraulic system. The VAC 4 is a unique national research asset and the largest furnace of its type in the UK, enabling strategic development of largescale titanium castings. Reliability issues have arisen due to the hydraulic control system design, which now requires modification to ensure safe and reliable operation.
The scope includes replacement of actuator seals, system flushing, and modernization of the hydraulic tank (bulkhead transitions, filter adapters, breather filter, condensate drip
tray with drainage). The works also cover modification of the Power Ram actuator, including installation of three counter-balance valves. On-site attendance will be provided by SWSA and B&I Hydraulika teams for 3 weeks, extended to 5 weeks with an additional fitter if required.
Due to the bespoke nature of the equipment, only the original equipment manufacturer has the technical knowledge and authority to undertake these works while maintaining
UKCA compliance.
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedProcedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Direct award
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Notice status
- Awarded without competition
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Direct award (no call for competition)
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 27 Aug 2025, 10:59 BST
- Last source update
- 27 Aug 2025, 11:38 BST
- Authority reference
4816/APJ/GM/25- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-051535- Latest notice
- Contract award notice (UK6)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-058e52Find a Tender
- Why no open competition
- Additional Repeat Extension Partial Replacement; Urgency
- Published justification
Due to the unique nature of the equipment, only the OEM has the expertise and authority to make modifications, with full knowledge of the integrated control and safety systems. External parties cannot deliver these changes safely or provide the documentation required to maintain UKCA compliance.
Accordingly, award to the OEM is necessary to ensure safety, compliance, and operational integrity.
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- —
Timeline
27 Aug 2025 → 8 Sept 2025 · 2 dates- Notice published27 Aug 2025, 11:38 BST
- Standstill ends8 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST
Notice history
3 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 27 Aug 2025- Transparency notice published27 Aug 2025, 10:59 BSTUK5
- Contract award notice published27 Aug 2025, 11:38 BSTUK6
- Contract signature expected9 Sept 2025, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SECO/WARWICK S.A.10 Sept 2025 – 31 Mar 2026Options: Extended visit of SWSA team to 5 weeks (one additional fitter) if required. | €327,000 | 27 Aug 2025standstill to 8 Sept 2025 | Standstill |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- SECO/WARWICK S.A.Awarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Transparency notice Transparency notice on Find a Tender