Manufacturing, Assembly of Leak Detection Systems

The European Union Funding & Tenders Portal has announced a call for tenders identified as F4E-OPE-1867 for the Manufacturing and Assembly of Leak Detection Systems. This procurement opportunity is specifically for the design, procurement, manufacturing, assembly, testing, and delivery of primary vacuum and cryostat leak detection systems intended for the ITER project located in France.

The components of the procurement include:
- Primary Vacuum Leak Detection Systems consisting of:
 1. Torus Direct Leak Detection System
 2. Neutral Beam Direct Leak Detection System
 3. Leak Calibration System
 4. Gas Analysis System
 - Remote Leak Detection Systems including:
 5. Torus and Neutral Beam Remote Leak Detection Station
 6. Active SVS Remote Leak Detection Station
- Cryostat Leak Detection Systems comprising:
 7. Cryostat Leak Detection System
 8. Cryostat Remote Leak Detection System, also known as Non-active SVS Remote Leak Detection System

The call is categorized as a competitive procedure with negotiation and focuses on procurement, distinguishing it from traditional grant funding. It is open for submission via non-electronic methods, with a submission deadline set for January 15, 2026, at 16:00, and an official publication date of December 1, 2025.

While specific budgetary details for this call are not disclosed, previous contracts managed by Fusion for Energy (F4E) indicate the potential for high-value contracts, ranging from millions to possibly tens of millions of euros given the scale and complexity of the systems involved. Eligible applicants include large enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and research organizations based in EU member states and Switzerland. The project emphasizes expertise in advanced manufacturing and technological capabilities applicable to high-tech systems, particularly in the fields of vacuum and cryogenic technologies.

The competitive procedure typically consists of multiple stages, generally involving qualification assessments, tender submissions with proposals, evaluations, and negotiations with shortlisted candidates. As such, successful applicants will be assessed on their technical competencies, cost effectiveness, compliance with schedule requirements, and overall organizational capability.

No co-funding is required from applicants, as this procurement contract will be fully funded by F4E. Importantly, participants must demonstrate significant technical expertise in relevant domains to align with the rigorous safety and quality standards essential for the ITER project.

Overall, this call presents a significant opportunity for companies with specialized knowledge in fusion technology, advanced manufacturing, and related engineering fields to engage in a critical phase of the ITER project, fostering innovation and strengthening capabilities in the emerging fusion energy sector.

The European Union Funding & Tenders Portal has issued a call for tenders, identified by the procedure identifier F4E-OPE-1867, for the "Manufacturing, Assembly of Leak Detection Systems." The submission method is non-electronic, and the call is currently open for submission.

The scope of this procurement encompasses the manufacturing design, procurement, manufacturing, assembly, testing, and delivery to the ITER Site of the primary vacuum and cryostat leak detection systems for ITER. These systems consist of the following components:

a) Primary Vacuum Leak Detection System:
1. Torus Direct Leak Detection System
2. Neutral Beam Direct Leak Detection System
3. Leak Calibration System
4. Gas Analysis System
- Remote Leak Detection System, which comprises:
5. Torus and Neutral Beam Remote Leak Detection Station
6. Active SVS Remote Leak Detection Station

b) Cryostat Leak Detection Systems:
7. Cryostat Leak Detection System
8. Cryostat Remote Leak Detection System, also called Non-active SVS Remote Leak Detection System

The procedure type is a competitive procedure with negotiation, and the contract type is for supplies.

The TED publication date for this call for tenders was 01 December 2025. The time limit for receipt of tenders is 15 January 2026 at 16:00.

The estimated total value of the contract is not available (N/A). The main CPV code is 42530000, which corresponds to "Parts of refrigerating and freezing equipment and heat pumps." The award method is also not available (N/A). The address of the buyer profile is not available (N/A). Information about a public contract, a framework agreement, or a dynamic purchasing system (DPS) is not available (N/A).

A PDF document containing questions and answers (Q&A) is available for download in English. No translations are available.

In summary, this call for tenders seeks a contractor to design, procure, manufacture, assemble, test, and deliver leak detection systems for the ITER project. These systems are divided into primary vacuum and cryostat leak detection systems, each with several components. The procurement process involves a competitive procedure with negotiation. Interested parties must submit their tenders non-electronically by 15 January 2026. The contract focuses on the supply of equipment related to refrigerating, freezing, and heat pump technologies, specifically leak detection systems.

Eligible Applicant Types: The information provided does not explicitly state the eligible applicant types. However, given the nature of the procurement, eligible applicants are likely to be companies, including SMEs and large enterprises, with expertise in manufacturing, assembly, testing, and delivery of complex technical systems, particularly those related to vacuum and cryogenic technologies. Research institutes with relevant capabilities might also be eligible.

Funding Type: Procurement. This is a call for tenders, indicating a procurement process where the selected applicant will be awarded a service contract.

Consortium Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. It is possible that either a single applicant or a consortium could be eligible, depending on the scale and complexity of the project and the capabilities of the potential bidders.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The information does not explicitly state the geographic eligibility for applicants. However, since this is an EU procurement related to the ITER project, it is likely that applicants from EU member states and possibly other countries participating in the ITER project (e.g., countries with association agreements) are eligible.

Target Sector: This program targets the manufacturing and assembly of leak detection systems, specifically within the context of vacuum and cryogenic technologies. This falls under the broader sectors of manufacturing, engineering, and potentially energy (given the ITER context). The specific sub-sectors include vacuum technology, cryogenics, leak detection, and gas analysis.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned. The ITER project is mentioned, which is an international collaboration.

Project Stage: The project is at the manufacturing, assembly, testing, and delivery stage. The design is also included, indicating that the detailed design might need to be finalized by the selected contractor based on existing specifications.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value is listed as N/A, so the specific funding range is not identifiable from the provided information.

Application Type: Open call. The submission method is "Non Electronic" and the call is "Open For Submission".

Nature of Support: Money. The selected applicant will receive a service contract for the manufacturing, assembly, testing, and delivery of the leak detection systems.

Application Stages: The procedure type is "Competitive procedure with negotiation," which suggests multiple stages, including initial submission, evaluation, and potentially negotiation with selected bidders. Therefore, there are likely to be at least 2 stages.

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

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required. Given that this is a procurement, co-funding is unlikely, but this would need to be confirmed in the full tender documentation.

Summary:

This is a call for tenders (F4E-OPE-1867) for the manufacturing, assembly, testing, and delivery of primary vacuum and cryostat leak detection systems for the ITER project. The scope includes the design, procurement, manufacturing, assembly, testing, and delivery of various leak detection systems, including:

a) Primary Vacuum Leak Detection System:
1. Torus Direct Leak Detection System,
2. Neutral Beam Direct Leak Detection System,
3. Leak Calibration System,
4. Gas Analysis System,
- Remote Leak Detection System, which comprises:
5. Torus and Neutral Beam Remote Leak Detection Station,
6. Active SVS Remote Leak Detection Station,
b) Cryostat Leak Detection Systems:
7. Cryostat Leak Detection System,
8. Cryostat Remote Leak Detection System, also called Non-active SVS Remote Leak Detection System.

The procedure is a competitive procedure with negotiation, and the contract type is for supplies. The TED publication date was 01 December 2025, and the time limit for receipt of tenders is 15 January 2026 at 16:00. The estimated total value is not available (N/A). The main CPV code is 42530000 - Parts of refrigerating and freezing equipment and heat pumps. The submission method is non-electronic.

In essence, this opportunity is a procurement process where companies with expertise in vacuum and cryogenic systems, leak detection, and related manufacturing capabilities can bid to supply critical leak detection systems for the ITER fusion project. The selected contractor will be responsible for the entire process, from design refinement to final delivery and testing at the ITER site.