Vapour-Phase Electrolysis Design and Development

{
  "id": "042566-2026",
  "tag": [
    "planningUpdate"
  ],
  "date": "2026-05-08T14:29:46+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-067fdc",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PCRM-7973-DCBL",
    "name": "UK Fusion Energy Ltd"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "PP-UKIFS-598",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "planning",
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2027-03-19T23:59:59+00:00",
          "startDate": "2026-08-31T00:00:00+01:00"
        }
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "71320000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Engineering design services"
          },
          {
            "id": "73100000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Research and experimental development services"
          },
          {
            "id": "73120000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Experimental development services"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Vapour-Phase Electrolysis Design and Development",
    "value": {
      "amount": 125000,
      "currency": "GBP",
      "amountGross": 156250
    },
    "status": "planning",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "description": "The following summary is not intended as a complete or definitive specification of the requirement. A purpose of this engagement is to seek information from the market to help refine our understanding and aid the development of a future specification.\nUKFE is seeking to develop a prototype electrolyser for decomposing a vapour phase feed of water in helium. Prototype development supports the longer-term information of electrolysis technology in the STEP prototype fusion power plant. This MEN pertains to phase 1 of the prototype development: concept design. Concept design will be carried out with the aim to support future additional contracts pertaining to manufacturing, assembly and testing.\nUKFE are seeking to identify industry appetite and capabilities for the provision of an electrolyser prototype design. Capabilities may include expertise in electrochemical systems, modelling and simulation, optimisation, mechanical design and process design. Any electrolysis technology capable of decomposing vapour-phase water diluted by helium is applicable to this market engagement notice. These technologies may include, but are not limited to, solid oxide ceramic cells, protonic ceramic cells or molten carbonate cells electrolytes.\nUKFE shall provide the requirements of the prototype including a feed and product specification, performance requirements and bounding values.\nUKFE shall provide a list of regulatory requirements for operation in a nuclear environment.\nThe scope of work is to generate a concept design for a prototype electrolyser that meets the requirements provided by UKFE, with design decisions that prioritise longevity, compatibility in a nuclear environment and mechanical design. A full scope, including deliverables, shall be provided as part of an invitation to tender. Deliverables may include a design description document, design justification document, process diagrams, mechanical drawings, calculations, strategies for manufacturing and strategies for validation.",
    "aboveThreshold": false,
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PCRM-7973-DCBL",
      "name": "UK Fusion Energy Ltd",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKJ14",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Abingdon",
        "postalCode": "OX14 3DB",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Culham Science Centre"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicUndertaking",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public undertaking"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PCRM-7973-DCBL",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "name": "Operational Procurement",
        "email": "operationalprocurement.step@ukifs.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "planning": {
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "042566-2026",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042566-2026",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK2",
        "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
        "datePublished": "2026-05-08T14:29:46+01:00"
      }
    ],
    "milestones": [
      {
        "id": "engagement",
        "type": "engagement",
        "status": "scheduled",
        "dueDate": "2026-05-18T23:59:59+01:00",
        "description": "This MEN aims to gather information from potential suppliers on solutions and capabilities in relation to the provision of Vapour-Phase Electrolysis Design and Development. 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 with confidentiality.\nAny supplier that chooses not to 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.\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 UKIFS’s needs."
      }
    ]
  },
  "initiationType": "tender"
}

{
  "id": "032767-2026",
  "tag": [
    "planning"
  ],
  "date": "2026-04-10T12:00:21+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-067fdc",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PCRM-7973-DCBL",
    "name": "UK Fusion Energy Ltd"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "PP-UKIFS-598",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "planning",
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2027-03-19T23:59:59+00:00",
          "startDate": "2026-08-31T00:00:00+01:00"
        }
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "71320000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Engineering design services"
          },
          {
            "id": "73100000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Research and experimental development services"
          },
          {
            "id": "73120000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Experimental development services"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Vapour-Phase Electrolysis Design and Development",
    "value": {
      "amount": 125000,
      "currency": "GBP",
      "amountGross": 156250
    },
    "status": "planning",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "description": "The following summary is not intended as a complete or definitive specification of the requirement. A purpose of this engagement is to seek information from the market to help refine our understanding and aid the development of a future specification.\nUKFE is seeking to develop a prototype electrolyser for decomposing a vapour phase feed of water in helium. Prototype development supports the longer-term information of electrolysis technology in the STEP prototype fusion power plant. This MEN pertains to phase 1 of the prototype development: concept design. Concept design will be carried out with the aim to support future additional contracts pertaining to manufacturing, assembly and testing.\nUKFE are seeking to identify industry appetite and capabilities for the provision of an electrolyser prototype design. Capabilities may include expertise in electrochemical systems, modelling and simulation, optimisation, mechanical design and process design. Any electrolysis technology capable of decomposing vapour-phase water diluted by helium is applicable to this market engagement notice. These technologies may include, but are not limited to, solid oxide ceramic cells, protonic ceramic cells or molten carbonate cells electrolytes.\nUKFE shall provide the requirements of the prototype including a feed and product specification, performance requirements and bounding values.\nUKFE shall provide a list of regulatory requirements for operation in a nuclear environment.\nThe scope of work is to generate a concept design for a prototype electrolyser that meets the requirements provided by UKFE, with design decisions that prioritise longevity, compatibility in a nuclear environment and mechanical design. A full scope, including deliverables, shall be provided as part of an invitation to tender. Deliverables may include a design description document, design justification document, process diagrams, mechanical drawings, calculations, strategies for manufacturing and strategies for validation.",
    "aboveThreshold": false,
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PCRM-7973-DCBL",
      "name": "UK Fusion Energy Ltd",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKJ14",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Abingdon",
        "postalCode": "OX14 3DB",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Culham Science Centre"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicUndertaking",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public undertaking"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PCRM-7973-DCBL",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "name": "Operational Procurement",
        "email": "operationalprocurement.step@ukifs.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "planning": {
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "032767-2026",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032767-2026",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK2",
        "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
        "datePublished": "2026-04-10T12:00:21+01:00"
      }
    ],
    "milestones": [
      {
        "id": "engagement",
        "type": "engagement",
        "status": "scheduled",
        "dueDate": "2026-05-15T23:59:59+01:00",
        "description": "This MEN aims to gather information from potential suppliers on solutions and capabilities in relation to the provision of Vapour-Phase Electrolysis Design and Development. 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 with confidentiality.\nAny supplier that chooses not to 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.\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 UKIFS’s needs."
      }
    ]
  },
  "initiationType": "tender"
}