Pd Ag Functional Testing

contractFind a TenderRef ocds-h6vhtk-06a8beProcurement Act 2023SME suitableactive

Estimated value

£195k

services

Awarded value

Suppliers

0

Lots

1

0 awarded

Published

29 May 2026

Deadline 29 Jun 2026

Description

The STEP Fuel Cycle (FC) system requires advanced technologies for hydrogen separation and recovery. The aim of this investigation is to demonstrate the manufacturability of palladium silver membrane assemblies. This will be achieved through conducting annealing trials, brazing trails, and diffusion bonding trials. The effect of these processes on the alloy and its properties will be evaluated through microstructural characterisation and hardness testing, respectively. These techniques will then be used to manufacture membrane assemblies which will be inspected and delivered to UKFE for subsequent testing. The objectives of this investigation are to conduct the following: 1. Tube characterisation, characterise and test the different batches of palladium silver membrane tubes, including microscopy and hardness testing, as received. 2. Annealing trials, refine and execute the process control variables for the annealing of the palladium silver membrane tubes. The effects of annealing on the alloy shall be characterised via microscopy and hardness testing. 3. Brazing trials, refine and execute the process control variables for the brazing of palladium silver membrane tubes to steel fittings. 4. Diffusion bonding trials, develop and execute the process control variables for the diffusion bonding of palladium silver membrane tubes to steel fittings. 5. Destructive testing, to complete the manufacture, inspection, and destructive testing of brazed and diffusion bonded assemblies. The microstructure and hardness of the of the joint shall be evaluated cross-sectionally. 6. Assembly manufacture, the manufacture of membrane assemblies (Figure 1) via annealing, brazing or diffusion bonding. 7. Assembly inspection, refine and execute an inspection regime on all assemblies. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://ukfe.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Abingdon:-Analysis-services./T7K77D22NE To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://ukfe.delta-esourcing.com/respond/T7K77D22NE

Scope

Reference
PP-UKIFS-566
Total value
£195,000 excluding VAT
£234,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Commercial tool
Standalone contract
Contract dates
21 Jul 2026 to 22 Jan 2028
Main category
services
CPV classifications
71620000
71632000
73100000
73111000
Contract locations
UK, United Kingdom
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Award criteria

Criteria the buyer will use to evaluate bids.

NameDescriptionTypeWeighting
Social Valuequality10.00%
Technicalquality70.00%
Commercialprice20.00%

Submission & procedure

Enquiry deadline
22 Jun 2026, 11:30 am
Submission deadline
29 Jun 2026, 11:30 am
Submission address
https://ukifs.delta-esourcing.com/respond/T7K77D22NE
Electronic submission
Yes
Procedure
Open procedure