UK SAF Clearing House: Delivery Partner

Tender description

The Department for Transport (the Authority) is seeking to appoint a delivery partner to set up and operate a UK Clearing House to support testing and certification of new advanced fuels for aviation. The purpose of the UK Clearing House is to act as a central hub to co-ordinate and support testing and certification of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Any new aviation fuel must meet strict fuel specifications before it can be certified as safe for use in aircraft. To reach this, fuel must undergo stages of testing against a process to meet the required ASTM standard. The cost and complexity of testing is a significant barrier to new fuels entering the market. The proposed solution is to procure a supplier to set up and operate the UK Clearing House. The Clearing House will provide advice to fuel producers on testing, signpost toward testing facilities, and support the DfT in providing grant funding for eligible testing and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) reviews. Lot 1: The Department for Transport (DfT) is committed to reaching net zero aviation by 2050 and has identified sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a key technology to achieve this. Supporting production and uptake of SAF is therefore a priority for the Department. When a new aviation fuel is made, it must undergo multiple stages of fit-for-purpose testing at significant cost to the producer to be ready for commercial use. This is a barrier to market entry for SAF and to reducing GHG emissions from aviation. Research suggests that the UK has strong existing capability for the testing and certification of SAF. However, there is currently no central function to support producers in navigating the testing process or provide funding. The Department intends to procure a delivery partner to set up and operate a UK Clearing House to support all the tiers of the ASTM D7566 process, which is the globally recognised route for approving alternative fuels for safe use in aviation. The delivery partner will help design the operating model of the Clearing House to meet requirements. It will co-ordinate a network of facilities with capability to test new forms of SAF and will provide advice and guidance to support fuel producers through the required stages towards certification. The supplier will not be required to conduct fuel testing in-house, although if based in a physical centre with relevant capability this could feature. The delivery partner will also create a process by which fuel testing and OEM review costs can be reimbursed by the Department via grant funding if deemed appropriate, in line with the Department’s eligibility criteria. The supplier will not be required to manage, hold or distribute Government funds, but will support DfT in assessing eligibility of grant applications. The delivery partner will be expected to put in place a nominated figurehead to oversee operations, to raise the profile of the Clearing House and work with UK and international stakeholders.