Maintenance and Optimization of the tetrode-based Radio Frequency Power System modules

The opportunity titled "Maintenance and Optimization of the tetrode-based Radio Frequency Power System modules" is a tender from Fusion for Energy (F4E), identified as call F4E-OFC-1695. The tender's start date is set for October 27, 2025, and the closing date is December 1, 2025, at 16:00. It employs a negotiated competitive procedure for procurement, focusing on maintenance and optimization services for the Radio Frequency Power System (RFPS) used in the Linear IFMIF Prototype Accelerator, part of the IFMIF/EVEDA project.

Eligible applicants include economic operators, such as suppliers and service providers established in the EU. These could be large enterprises, SMEs, or research organizations with relevant technical expertise in power systems and radio frequency technology. The opportunity encourages single applications, but subcontracting is permitted.

The tender specifies procurement of various services, including delivering hardware and software solutions, procuring spare parts, providing maintenance services, and project management support. Work can be conducted on-site at the IFERC facility in Rokkasho, Japan, or remotely, with a flexible approach to execution.

No specific funding amount is disclosed, but prior technical service contracts by F4E suggest typical ranges could be between €500,000 to several million euros. The application follows a multi-stage process: initially, F4E will invite selected candidates to submit proposals, followed by negotiations to finalize contracts with the best offers. It's crucial to note that co-funding is not required; F4E will cover the full costs.

This tender reflects F4E's commitment to maintaining and enhancing existing research facilities critical to fusion energy research and development, aligning with Europe and Japan's Broader Approach Agreement. The work is crucial for ensuring the RFPS remains reliable while adapting to future operational needs.

The call for tenders F4E-OFC-1695 concerns the maintenance and optimization of the tetrode-based Radio Frequency Power System (RFPS) modules for the Linear IFMIF Prototype Accelerator, which is part of the IFMIF/EVEDA project. The submission method is non-electronic, and the call is currently open for submission.

The description specifies that this procedure involves the supply of maintenance and optimization services for the RFPS. The scope of work includes procuring spare parts and providing supporting services to ensure the availability and maintainability of the RFPS system, as well as studying and improving new functionalities.

The scope of supply includes the delivery of hardware (spare parts, new developments) and associated software, along with the necessary maintenance services, encompassing project management and engineering support services. It also covers services in software, control, gateware, hardware, and operation support to adapt the RFPS functionalities to the accelerator's operational requirements. The tasks can be performed entirely at the IFERC site in Rokkasho (Onsite Support), at the Supplier’s premises (Remote Support), or a combination of both, with development at the premises followed by onsite services including installation, commissioning, training, and operation.

The procedure type is a competitive procedure with negotiation, and the contract type is for supplies. The TED publication date was 27 October 2025, and the time limit for receipt of tenders is 01 December 2025 at 16:00. The estimated total value is not available (N/A). The main CPV code is 31121110, which corresponds to power converters. The award method is not available (N/A). The address of the buyer profile is not available (N/A). The opportunity is not a public contract, a framework agreement, or a dynamic purchasing system (DPS). Questions and answers are available for download in a PDF (EN). No translations are available.

In summary, this tender is for maintenance, optimization, and upgrades to the Radio Frequency Power System (RFPS) used in the Linear IFMIF Prototype Accelerator, part of the IFMIF/EVEDA project. This includes supplying spare parts, hardware and software upgrades, and providing maintenance and engineering support. Work can be done on-site in Japan, remotely, or a combination of both. The goal is to ensure the RFPS is reliable, maintainable, and adaptable to the evolving needs of the accelerator. The tender uses a competitive procedure with negotiation, focusing on the supply of goods and services related to power converters and associated systems.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity details do not explicitly specify eligible applicant types. However, given the nature of the tender, which involves maintenance, optimization, supply of hardware and software, and engineering support for a Radio Frequency Power System, it is likely that eligible applicants would include companies, firms, or organizations with expertise in relevant fields such as electrical engineering, power systems, radio frequency technology, software development, and related areas. This could include SMEs, large enterprises, research institutes with relevant technical capabilities, or consortia thereof.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is procurement, specifically a call for tenders. The contract type is supplies, indicating that the selected applicant will be contracted to provide goods (hardware, software, spare parts) and services (maintenance, optimization, engineering support).

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity details do not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. It is possible that either a single applicant with the necessary capabilities or a consortium of applicants with complementary expertise could be eligible. The description mentions project management and engineering support services, which might suggest that a larger, more complex project could benefit from a consortium approach.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The opportunity details do not explicitly specify geographic eligibility. Given that it is an EU grant website, it is highly likely that the primary target is EU-based entities. However, without explicit information, it is difficult to determine if entities from EEA countries, EU candidate countries, or other international locations are also eligible. Further clarification would be needed from the official call documentation.

Target Sector: The target sector is primarily related to radio frequency technology, power systems, and accelerator technology. This includes elements of engineering, hardware and software supply, and maintenance services. More specifically, it targets the maintenance and optimization of Radio Frequency Power Systems (RFPS) used in particle accelerators. The relevant sectors include: advanced machines/processes, industrial processes/components, software services, and engineering.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity mentions Rokkasho, Japan, as the location of the IFERC site where onsite support can be provided. However, this does not necessarily imply that Japanese entities are specifically targeted or excluded from applying. The location is simply identified as a site where work may be performed.

Project Stage: The project stage is primarily focused on maintenance and optimization of an existing system (Radio Frequency Power System for the Linear IFMIF Prototype Accelerator). This suggests that the project is in the operational or demonstration phase, requiring ongoing support, upgrades, and improvements. Therefore, the project stage is maintenance, optimization, and potentially some development of new functionalities.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value is indicated as N/A, meaning the specific funding range or scale is not provided in the available information.

Application Type: The application type is an open call for tenders. The submission method is non-electronic.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for the supply of hardware, software, spare parts, maintenance services, optimization services, and engineering support. This is a procurement contract where payment is made for the delivery of goods and services.

Application Stages: The procedure type is described as a competitive procedure with negotiation, which suggests that there may be multiple stages involved. Initially, applicants submit their tenders. Then, there is a negotiation phase with selected applicants, followed by a final selection and contract award. Therefore, there are likely at least 2 stages: submission and negotiation/selection.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned in the provided information.

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not mentioned in the provided information.

Summary:

This opportunity is a call for tenders (F4E-OFC-1695) for the maintenance and optimization of the Radio Frequency Power System (RFPS) used in the Linear IFMIF Prototype Accelerator, which is part of the IFMIF/EVEDA project. The contract involves the supply of hardware (spare parts, new developments) and associated software, as well as maintenance services, project management, and engineering support. The scope also includes adapting the functionalities of the RFPS to the requirements of accelerator operation through software, control, gateware, hardware, and operational support. The work can be performed either onsite at the IFERC site in Rokkasho, Japan, remotely from the supplier's premises, or a combination of both. The procedure is a competitive one with negotiation, and the contract type is supplies. The TED publication date was 27 October 2025, and the time limit for receipt of tenders is 01 December 2025 at 16:00. The estimated total value is not available. The submission method is non-electronic. The main CPV code is 31121110, which refers to power converters. The opportunity targets companies with expertise in radio frequency technology, power systems, software development, and related engineering fields.