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planningFind a Tender · planning

STEP Vapour Shielding Scenario Simulation

Buyer: UK Fusion Energy Ltd →

BuyerUK Fusion Energy Ltd
Statusplanning
DeadlineNot published
Value£200,000
Published16 Jul 2026

What is being bought

This Market Engagement Notice seeks engagement with organisations capable of delivering reactor-scale vapour shielding modelling to support the STEP prototype powerplant programme. The work will investigate vapour shielding effects arising from transient plasma events and their impact on plasma-facing components, informing design, protection systems, and operational strategies. The scope is divided into four sequential phases covering: (A) initial assessment of limiter strike scenarios and architecture risks; (B) expanded analysis of transient scenarios, material degradation, and mitigation strategies; (C) development of engineering models and lifetime assessments for plasma-facing components and (D) assessment of combined transient hazards and their implications for protection system design. Suppliers must submit proposals for Phase A, with separate pricing for Phases B and C, while Phase D will focus on future capability without pricing at this stage. Suppliers are expected to demonstrate access to established reactor-scale vapour shielding modelling frameworks, with work progressing through successive phases subject to technical outcomes, funding availability, and STEP programme priorities. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Abingdon:-Research-and-experimental-development-services./2ZAK72P477 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/respond/2ZAK72P477

Delivery location

UK, GB

Categories

Research and experimental development services 73100000Research services 73110000Research laboratory services 73111000Experimental development services 73120000Test and evaluation 73430000

Lot details

Lot 1

No lot description published.

Statusplanning
Contract periodFrom 26 Oct 2026 to 26 Apr 2027

What is included

ItemCategoryQuantity
1Research and experimental development services, Research services, Research laboratory services, Experimental development services, Test and evaluationNot published

Comparable-procurement analytics

Benchmarked against retained Find a Tender procedures with CPV division 73. The category anchor is Research and experimental development services (73100000); this is a deliberately broad market comparator. The comparison is shown at several levels rather than pretending one company or region is always the best benchmark.

Comparison setProceduresReported bids per procedureNamed award suppliersPrice evidence
Market: CPV division 731,8783 median · 37.5 average (594 of 1,878 with a bid count)2.7 average (673 of 1,878 with named award suppliers)Not published
Same buyer31Not publishedNot publishedNot published
Delivery region: UK8072 median · 71.4 average (255 of 807 with a bid count)3.6 average (298 of 807 with named award suppliers)Not published
Similar published value (0.5×–2×)2186 median · 5.7 average (6 of 218 with a bid count)1 average (6 of 218 with named award suppliers)Not published

“Reported bids” is an official aggregate, sometimes reported per lot; it is the closest available competition measure. “Named award suppliers” are winners, not all applicants.

Price-outcome signal

Not enough comparable procedures currently publish both a GBP tender value and a usable lowest-valid-bid value to calculate a responsible price-reduction benchmark. Tenderline deliberately does not infer a saving from named award suppliers or from missing award values.

Procurement strategy & market signals

Framework agreementNot published
Dynamic purchasing systemNot published
Competitive procurementNot published
Recurring requirementNot published
Procurement method rationaleNot published
Rationale classificationsNot published
Special regimeNot published
Covered byNot published
Submission policyNot published
Selection criteriaNot published
Risk detailsNot published

Planning & early market engagement

BudgetValue not published
No-engagement rationaleNot published
Planning documents1
Planning milestones1
MilestoneTypeDueStatus
This MEN aims to gather information from potential suppliers on solutions and capabilities in relation to the provision of vapour shielding scenario simulation. This is not a request for quotation but a preliminary stage to assess the market. Suppliers responding to this MEN will have the opportunity to contribute insights that may shape the final tender requirements. All answers and correspondence will be used for market sounding purposes only and will be treated confidentially. Any supplier that chooses to not respond to this MEN will not exclude themselves from any subsequent procurement for this workstream. Should an NDA or similar be required, please contact the MEN Customer Contact. Any estimated contract values and contract dates associated with the notice are indicative and do not represent a commitment by UKFE. UKFE’s IP Policy: UKFE will own all foreground IP which is developed to deliver the STEP programme, including IP generated in projects with partners. UKFE requires a licence to any partner-owned background IP that is required to use and licence UKFE’s foreground IP freely As part of this PME, UKFE may carry out a range of activities. These may include, but are not limited to: issuing follow-up questions to suppliers and reviewing their responses; engaging in discussions with suppliers either collectively or individually, such as through webinars or workshops; seeking feedback on proposed requirements; exploring procurement approaches; identifying potentially suitable suppliers; assessing market capacity; and discussing possible contractual terms. PME may also be used to support the development of award criteria and the refinement of tender documentation. Any information provided in this notice, such as CPV codes, estimated contract values, anticipated contract dates and durations, and proposed engagement timelines - are indicative only and based on UKFE’s current understanding. These details may be subject to change. The purpose of PME is to improve our understanding of the market, refine our requirements, and shape our procurement strategy. The list of activities included here is illustrative rather than exhaustive, and the nature, extent and timetable of engagement may evolve in line with UKFE’s needs.engagement14 Aug 2026scheduled

Related procurements

No linked framework, prior procurement or reprocurement published.

Documents & submission route

Source data inventory

Diagnostic view. “Not published” means this current release does not provide a value.

OCIDocds-h6vhtk-06cd3a
Latest release ID067419-2026
Latest release timestampThu Jul 16 2026 15:36:04 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Sourcefind-a-tender
Official notice URLNot published
Tender statusplanning
Procurement methodNot published
Procurement method detailsNot published
Main procurement categoryservices
Above thresholdYes
Legal basis2023/54
Tender period: startNot published
Tender period: endNot published
Expression of interest deadlineNot published
Enquiry deadlineNot published
Award period: startNot published
Award period: endNot published
Submission method detailsNot published
Submission languagesNot published
Electronic catalogue policyNot published
Total tender value£200,000
Tender lots in source1
Tender items in source1
Tender documents in source0
Awards in latest release0
Contracts in latest release0
Parties in latest release1

Notice history

DateEventReference
16 Jul 2026planning067419-2026

All source data

Unmodified official OCDS data retained by Tenderline for this procurement process.

Complete current OCDS release JSON
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        "description": "This MEN aims to gather information from potential suppliers on solutions and capabilities in relation to the provision of vapour shielding scenario simulation. This is not a request for quotation but a preliminary stage to assess the market.\nSuppliers responding to this MEN will have the opportunity to contribute insights that may shape the final tender requirements. All answers and correspondence will be used for market sounding purposes only and will be treated confidentially.\nAny supplier that chooses to not respond to this MEN will not exclude themselves from any subsequent procurement for this workstream.\nShould an NDA or similar be required, please contact the MEN Customer Contact.\nAny estimated contract values and contract dates associated with the notice are indicative and do not represent a commitment by UKFE.\nUKFE’s IP Policy: UKFE will own all foreground IP which is developed to deliver the STEP programme, including IP generated in projects with partners. UKFE requires a licence to any partner-owned background IP that is required to use and licence UKFE’s foreground IP freely\nAs part of this PME, UKFE may carry out a range of activities. These may include, but are not limited to: issuing follow-up questions to suppliers and reviewing their responses; engaging in discussions with suppliers either collectively or individually, such as through webinars or workshops; seeking feedback on proposed requirements; exploring procurement approaches; identifying potentially suitable suppliers; assessing market capacity; and discussing possible contractual terms. PME may also be used to support the development of award criteria and the refinement of tender documentation.\nAny information provided in this notice, such as CPV codes, estimated contract values, anticipated contract dates and durations, and proposed engagement timelines - are indicative only and based on UKFE’s current understanding. These details may be subject to change. The purpose of PME is to improve our understanding of the market, refine our requirements, and shape our procurement strategy. The list of activities included here is illustrative rather than exhaustive, and the nature, extent and timetable of engagement may evolve in line with UKFE’s needs."
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Complete JSON history (1 releases)
16 Jul 2026 · 067419-2026 · planning
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