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Radiation Tolerant Sensors
AI Summary
Sellafield Ltd is conducting a preliminary market engagement to identify suppliers who can provide a large quantity of sensors designed for operation in high–radiation nuclear environments. The project seeks 1,224 radiation‑tolerant sensors that must operate safely and reliably when exposed to a dose exceeding 1 × 10⁶ Gray, ensuring nuclear safety, asset integrity, and predictable performance. The requirement is outcome‑based, expressly allowing any manufacturer to meet the specifications without preference for brand or proprietary solution.
The sensors must be 18 mm in diameter with an 18 mm threaded barrel and supplied with two M18 × 1 mm locknuts. They are required to be flush‑fitted 2‑wire NAMUR inductive units, nominally 8.2 VDC, bearing EN 60947‑5‑6 output; the switching distance is to be 5 mm to 10 mm and the sensor head may not exceed 65 mm. Each unit must feature a minimum two‑metre lead (non‑M12 connector), an IP67 protection class, ATEX category II 1 G for Ex zone 0 and ATEX category II 1 D for Ex zone 20, and SIL2 (low demand) and SIL3 (all demand) ratings in accordance with IEC 61508 and ISO 13849‑1. The manufacturer must deploy SMD/SMT components from a single production batch, produce an initial batch of at least eleven sensors for third‑party radiation‑tolerance testing, and retain remaining components for subsequent manufacturing if the first batch passes the tests.
The Authority requests expressions of interest to participate in this preliminary engagement; no contractual obligation or competitive tender is triggered by this notice. The project will follow Section 16 of the Procurement Act 2023, and only sensors meeting the following technical criteria will be considered: 18 mm diameter, 2‑wire NAMUR inductive, >1 × 10⁶ Gy tolerant, IP67 protected, ATEX and SIL2/3 compliant, and built with SMD/SMT components from a single batch.
Description
∙ Nuclear safety and operational assurance
∙ Asset integrity and reliability
∙ The need for predictable performance under radiation exposure
The Authority’s need is outcome based and does not specify any particular manufacturer, brand, or proprietary solution.
The Authority requires devices that have been independently tested to exceed a Dose of 1 x 106 Gray. The estimated requirement is for 1,224 Sensors with:
∙ 18mm diameter sensor – 18mm threaded barrel, to be supplied with 2 off M18 x 1mm locknuts
∙ Flush fitting
∙ NAMUR two wire Inductive Sensor - DC 2-wire, nom. 8.2 VDC, Output acc. to EN 60947-5-6 (NAMUR)
∙ Nominal Switching Distance 5mm - 10mm
∙ Sensor head length - Not to exceed 65mm
∙ Fitted electrical Lead (Not M12 connector) – Minimum lead length of 2 metres
∙ ATEX category II 1 G, Ex zone 0
∙ ATEX category II 1 D, Ex zone 20
∙ SIL2 (Low Demand Mode) acc. to IEC 61508, PL c acc. to ISO 13849-1 with HFT0
∙ SIL3 (All Demand Mode) acc. to IEC 61508, PL e acc. to ISO 13849-1 with redundant configuration HFT1
∙ Protection Class IP67
The Authority requires that supplied sensors are to contain Semi-Conductor (SMD/SMT) devices from the same Semi-Conductor Component Manufacture production batch.
An Initial Sensor manufacturing batch of a minimum of 11 Sensors is required to allow for Sellafield Limited initiated Third Party Radiation Tolerance Testing.
The remaining Semi-Conductor devices (the same Reel) are to be retained awaiting the conclusion of the Third Party Radiation Tolerance Testing.
On conclusion of Radiation Tolerance Testing, if Sellafield Limited deem the sensors to be acceptable, the balance of stated Order Total are to be manufactured from the same SMD/SMT component Reel as those sensors manufactured for the purpose of the test (≥11 sensors). If, the first batch (11 off) sensors are not acceptable to Sellafield limited, a further 11 off sensors are to be produced to allow for repeat Radiation Tolerance Testing, the semi-conductor component requirements remain as above.
The Sensor Manufacturer is to create a specific product Part Number for the Authority.
Sellafield Ltd Quality Grade 04 for sensors produced for testing purposes, Quality Grade 03 for all other supplied sensors.
The Authority is conducting preliminary market engagement in accordance with Section 16 of the Procurement Act 2023 for the purpose of informing approach to market and identifying suppliers that may be able to supply the goods required.
This notice invites suppliers to express interest in participating in preliminary market engagement. It is not a request to tender and does not form part of a competitive procedure, and does not place the Authority under any obligation to proceed with a procurement.
Estimated date of publication of contract notice: 2026-07-17T23:59:59+01:00
Engagement process description
The Authority invites interested suppliers to submit an expression of interest in participating in preliminary market engagement activities relating to the proposed requirement.
As part of this engagement, the Authority is seeking supplier responses to a number of questions intended to inform of current market capability and technical solutions. Supplier feedback will assist the Authority in developing its procurement strategy and assessing potential delivery models for the future procurement.
Interested suppliers should register their interest via Atamis portal by 29th May 2026.
Further information regarding the engagement process and submission requirements will be provided to participating suppliers.
This engagement is being undertaken for information only and does not constitute a call for competition or commitment to commence a procurement procedure.
Lot: 1
Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: En