STEP Engineering System Partners Procurement
TenderHighlights
- Tender deadline
- 29 Jan 2027
- Estimated value
- £115,000,000
- Location
- UK
Details
- Published
- 11 Nov 2026
- Tender deadline
- 29 Jan 2027
- Value
- £115,000,000
- Location
- UK
- Source
- Find a Tender
- Source notice ID
- 107283-2026
- OCID
- ocds-h6vhtk-07ba01
- CPV codes
- 42990000, 50710000, 71300000, 71320000, 71330000, 71350000, 71600000, 72220000, 72242000, 73100000, 73110000, 73111000, 73300000, 79421000
Description
Background
The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme aims to deliver a prototype fusion energy plant by 2040, while also developing a robust fusion supply chain and a pathway to commercial fusion. Achieving this vision requires the delivery of an unprecedented and complex engineering design, alongside a major infrastructure project involving a large and diverse supply chain, all on an ambitious timeline.
STEP is a central component of the UK’s long-term vision for commercial fusion energy and national energy security. The STEP programme directly supports the UK Government’s strategic objectives in clean energy innovation, energy resilience, and global technological leadership. Fusion energy is recognised as a potential transformative low-carbon energy source, offering long-term reductions in reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating exposure to volatile international energy markets.
System Partners Opportunity
UKFE is seeking to procure suitable Suppliers (an individual organisation, consortium or joint venture) across 5 Lots to support the delivery of the UK’s prototype fusion energy plant. The information for each Lot below represents an overview of the requirements and the definitive statement of UKFE’s requirements is set out in the Capability Statements provided with the procurement documents.
The term of the Contract under each Lot will be two (2) years with an option to extend for one (1) year on two (2) occasions, at the discretion of UKFE. The total contract length will not exceed four (4) years.
The maximum value for each Lot is set out below and includes expenses (excluding VAT) for the initial term and for the extension period.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at:
https://ukfe.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Abingdon:-Engineering-services./3M5EHF9G8W
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://ukfe.delta-esourcing.com/respond/3M5EHF9G8W
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Lots (5)
| Lot | Title | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Breeder Blanket System Partner (BBSP)UKFE is seeking to establish a Breeder Blanket System Partner (BBSP) to lead the delivery of the Breeder Blanket System, working closely with UKFE and other partners. The BBSP will provide critical capabilities regarding the design, integration and the realisation of designs through to manufacture and operation of the Breeder Blanket System. This includes providing capabilities for management of all engineering data, responsibility for the detailed design of SPP systems, equipment and components and contracting through the supply chain. The BBSP will work with all the other STEP partners to ensure the delivery of the integrated design to support the delivery and operations of the SPP. | £20,000,000 |
| 2 | Fuel Cycle System Partner (FCSP)UKFE is seeking to establish a Fuel Cycle System Partner (FCSP) to support and then lead on the delivery of key fuelling and fuel cycle sub-systems, working closely with UKFE and other partners. The FCSP will provide critical capabilities regarding the design, integration and the realisation of designs through to manufacture, delivery and operation of the Fuel Cycle System. This will require design and delivery. The FCSP will work with all other partners to ensure the delivery of a coherent and safe integrated fuel cycle design. This will require the provision of embedded resources to tackle complex design integration challenges but also entail the delivery of significant set packages of design work requiring execution at pace and scale. | £20,000,000 |
| 3 | Test Operations Partner (TOP)UKFE is seeking to establish a Test Operations Partner (TOP) to lead operations of UKFE test facilities and associated test activities, working closely with UKFE and other partners. The TOP will be critical to building confidence in and further defining the SPP design, while establishing test and operational capabilities that can support its future development and the wider fusion industrialisation. The generated test data and conclusions from these activities will directly inform the design and safety justification of the SPP. The TOP is not expected to undertake detailed engineering design of facilities or Test Rigs, except where explicitly instructed. UKFE retains accountability for test requirements and engineering intent, whilst rig suppliers retain accountability for rig design. | £35,000,000 |
| 4 | Control System Partner (CSP)UKFE is seeking to establish a Control System Partner (CSP) to lead the delivery and integration of control systems across all areas of the plant, working closely with UKFE and other partners. The CSP will provide critical capabilities regarding the design, integration and the realisation of designs through to manufacture and operation of the plant control systems. This includes providing capabilities for management of all engineering data, responsibility for the detailed design of SPP control systems, equipment and components and contracting through the supply chain. The CSP will work with all other STEP partners to ensure the delivery of the integrated design to support delivery and operations of the SPP. | £15,000,000 |
| 5 | System Engineering and Whole Plant Integration Partner (SEWPIP)UKFE is seeking to establish a Systems Engineering and Whole Plant Integration Partner (SEWPIP) to provide critical capabilities, primarily within the Design Authority (DA) but also within the wider Integrated Projects Teams, to enable the STEP DA to discharge its responsibilities effectively during Tranche 2A. This includes providing SEWPIP capability to support the definition, coordination, and integration of the fusion plant systems to ensure a functional, safe and efficient single operational facility outcome. The SEWPIP will work alongside the DA and other STEP partners to ensure the integration of design to support the overall outcome of the programme. | £25,000,000 |