Expired contract

Large Ti Furnace Hydraulic Modifications

Details

Buyer: University of Sheffield
Supplier(s): SECO/WARWICK S.A.
Value: €327,000
Duration: 7 months
Topic: Titanium
Published: 27 August 2025
Source: uk:find_a_tender

Tender description

The requirement is for the servicing and modernization of the VAC 4 titanium vacuum arc re-melting furnace (304170) hydraulic system. The VAC 4 is a unique national research asset and the largest furnace of its type in the UK, enabling strategic development of largescale titanium castings. Reliability issues have arisen due to the hydraulic control system design, which now requires modification to ensure safe and reliable operation. The scope includes replacement of actuator seals, system flushing, and modernization of the hydraulic tank (bulkhead transitions, filter adapters, breather filter, condensate drip tray with drainage). The works also cover modification of the Power Ram actuator, including installation of three counter-balance valves. On-site attendance will be provided by SWSA and B&I Hydraulika teams for 3 weeks, extended to 5 weeks with an additional fitter if required. Due to the bespoke nature of the equipment, only the original equipment manufacturer has the technical knowledge and authority to undertake these works while maintaining UKCA compliance. ## Contract award

Timeline

Completed: Award published27 August 2025
Current notice
Completed: Award date27 August 2025
Completed: Contract expiry date31 March 2026

About the buyer

University of Sheffield is a higher education institution whose Procurement Office lets and manages contracts for its schools and departments. The university also buys through regional and national frameworks as a member of the North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium, part of UKUPC. They cover catering, furniture, computing, laboratory supplies, postal services, domestic services, professional services and stationery. Once a contract is let, each school and department must buy from the contracted supplier.

Over the past 5 years, most of University of Sheffield's contract awards have been in construction work, industrial machinery and laboratory and precision equipment.

Decision makers

Connect with the people behind this procurement.

Job title	Phone number	Work email
Head of Procurement	+44 •••• ••••••	••••••••@university-of-sheffield.gov
Commercial Director	+44 •••• ••••••	••••••••@university-of-sheffield.gov
Procurement Manager	+44 •••• ••••••	••••••••@university-of-sheffield.gov
Category Lead	+44 •••• ••••••	••••••••@university-of-sheffield.gov
Senior Buyer	+44 •••• ••••••	••••••••@university-of-sheffield.gov
Contracts Manager	+44 •••• ••••••	••••••••@university-of-sheffield.gov