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Scope

Reference

NNLC631F

Description

UKNNL would like to invite suppliers to apply to join a new Open Framework to support with the supply of Nuclear Technical Services for the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory. A Pre-Market Engagement Notice reference: ocds-h6vhtk-066005 was published. The framework will run from July 2026 until July 2030 with the option to extend the framework by a further 4 years, until July 2034. The Framework will reopen once within the first 3-year period, and UKNNL will open it again at least once in the remaining 5-year contract term as required under Regulation 49 of the Procurement Act 2023. UKNNL may opt to open the framework for applications earlier than required, although not likely to be ever more than two times per year. Re-opening may be in relation to the framework agreement in its entirety or in relation to specific lots. Earlier re-opening could be triggered by a range of factors, which may include but are not limited to: • Supply & demand changes • Changes to requirements • Changes to framework lotting structure • Changes to rate card structures • Changes to qualitative assessment • Changes to framework management • Addition of new framework lots • Changes to demand, volumes, values and geographical coverage Suppliers are permitted to amend their technical and commercial response at each re-opening or can choose to allow their previous submission to be considered. The framework has the ability to award contracts through mini competition or direct award. Call-off contracts can be either fixed cost or cost reimbursable. Mini-Competition Where mini-competition is used, this is to be via the e-tender portal and must include all suppliers on the applicable lot. Each mini competition will be restricted to only one Lot. At mini-competition, suppliers can be asked to re-price and may offer discounted rates if they choose to, but may not charge more than the pricing which was submitted at the latest round of framework qualification. Should requirements at call-off not have been priced at point of framework creation, mini-competition should be held allowing all suppliers in the applicable Lot to price, accordingly, providing the additional requirement fits within the overall subject matter of the applicable Lot. Mini-competition criteria must not repeat qualification questions. The evaluation criteria must however comprise of the following, with weighting allowances adhered to: Evaluation Criteria Range Pricing 5-90% Technical 5-90% Social Value 5-90% Mini competitions can be ran using both the Open Procedure and the Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023, where the call-off is above threshold. Direct Award There are two direct award mechanisms under this Framework Agreement: • Direct award to the highest technically ranked supplier. • Direct award using the desktop calculator Direct award to the highest technically ranked suppliers Admittance to the framework is via a 100% technical evaluation. Framework suppliers will be ranked in order of their tendered technical score. Procurement Leads may direct award to the highest ranked supplier. If the highest ranked supplier is unable to provide the requested role UKNNL will award to the next highest ranked supplier who can provide that role. UKNNL is required to contract with the highest ranked supplier which can provide the required role, unless there is a preexisting relationship with any of the other suppliers on the applicable Framework, which would mean a Direct Award to that supplier is in the public interest. This could be because it offers value for money or a saving in terms of resource, or would cause disproportionate disruption to switch supplier. The decision made to award outside of the ranking structure will only be made where it delivers value for money and maximises public benefit. Direct award using the Desktop Calculator This direct award mechanism allows UKNNL to split the evaluation criteria between price and technical, based upon the requirements of each call-off. The desktop calculator will calculate the Most Advantageous Tenderer, taking into account each suppliers Technical Score, and the rate provided for the role being contracted for. Direct award can be used for both a single role and multiple role call-offs. The rates are assessed using the relative pricing equation: (lowest tendered rate / tenders’ rate) x percentage weighting applied Where multiple rates on the desktop calculator are used, the rate in the equation will be the average of the rates selected. Once the calculator has ranked the suppliers, the highest ranked supplier should be contacted. Should the supplier be unable to fulfill the roles required, to the required clearance level or in the time-frame required, UKNNL will move down the rankings to the next highest ranked supplier who can fulfill the requirements. The weighting between Price and Technical will be dependent upon the specifics of each call-off but must be within the range set out below. Evaluation Criteria Range Pricing 5-95% Technical 5-95%

Commercial tool

Establishes an open framework

A series of frameworks with substantially the same terms. Awarded suppliers are carried over and new suppliers can bid.

Total value (estimated)

• £10,000,000 excluding VAT
• £12,000,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

• 20 July 2026 to 20 July 2030
• Possible extension to 20 July 2034
• 8 years, 1 day

Description of possible extension:

Open Framework, open for 4 years initially, extended for a further 4 years.

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

• 71350000 - Engineering-related scientific and technical services
• 73210000 - Research consultancy services
• 90714500 - Environmental quality control services
• 98113100 - Nuclear safety services

Contract locations

• UK - United Kingdom

Lot 1. Lot 1 - Health Physics and Radiological Protection Advisor

Description

See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 1.

Lot value (estimated)

• £10,000,000 excluding VAT
• £12,000,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Lot LOT-0001. Lot 2 - Human Factors

Description

See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 2.

Lot value (estimated)

• £10,000,000 excluding VAT
• £12,000,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Lot LOT-0002. Lot 3 - Radiological & Chemotoxic

Description

See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 3.

Lot value (estimated)

• £10,000,000 excluding VAT
• £12,000,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Lot LOT-0003. Lot 4 - Criticality Safety and Shielding

Description

See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 4.

Lot value (estimated)

• £10,000,000 excluding VAT
• £12,000,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Lot LOT-0004. Lot 5 - Nuclear Safety Case

Description

See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 5.

Lot value (estimated)

• £10,000,000 excluding VAT
• £12,000,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Lot LOT-0005. Lot 6 - Fire Safety (Nuclear and Conventional)

Description

See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 6.

Lot value (estimated)

• £10,000,000 excluding VAT
• £12,000,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Lot LOT-0006. Lot 7 - Environmental

Description

See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 7.

Lot value (estimated)

• £10,000,000 excluding VAT
• £12,000,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Lot LOT-0007. Lot 8 - Quality and Assurance

Description

See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 8.

Lot value (estimated)

• £10,000,000 excluding VAT
• £12,000,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Lot LOT-0008. Lot 9 - Security

Description

See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 9.

Lot value (estimated)

• £10,000,000 excluding VAT
• £12,000,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Lot LOT-0009. Lot 10 - Multi-Disciplinary Lot

Description

See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 10.

Lot value (estimated)

• £10,000,000 excluding VAT
• £12,000,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Framework

Open framework scheme end date (estimated)

21 July 2034

Maximum number of suppliers

Unlimited

Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers

0%

Framework operation description

The framework has the ability to award contracts through mini competition or direct award. Call-off contracts can be either fixed cost or cost reimbursable. Mini-Competition Where mini-competition is used, this is to be via the e-tender portal and must include all suppliers on the applicable lot. Each mini competition will be restricted to only one Lot. At mini-competition, suppliers can be asked to re-price and may offer discounted rates if they choose to, but may not charge more than the pricing which was submitted at the latest round of framework qualification. Should requirements at call-off not have been priced at point of framework creation, mini-competition should be held allowing all suppliers in the applicable Lot to price, accordingly, providing the additional requirement fits within the overall subject matter of the applicable Lot. Mini-competition criteria must not repeat qualification questions. The evaluation criteria must however comprise of the following, with weighting allowances adhered to: Evaluation Criteria Range Pricing 5-90% Technical 5-90% Social Value 5-90% Mini competitions can be ran using both the Open Procedure and the Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023, where the call-off is above threshold. Direct Award There are two direct award mechanisms under this Framework Agreement: • Direct award to the highest technically ranked supplier. • Direct award using the desktop calculator Direct award to the highest technically ranked suppliers Admittance to the framework is via a 100% technical evaluation. Framework suppliers will be ranked in order of their tendered technical score. Procurement Leads may direct award to the highest ranked supplier. If the highest ranked supplier is unable to provide the requested role UKNNL will award to the next highest ranked supplier who can provide that role. UKNNL is required to contract with the highest ranked supplier which can provide the required role, unless there is a preexisting relationship with any of the other suppliers on the applicable Framework, which would mean a Direct Award to that supplier is in the public interest. This could be because it offers value for money or a saving in terms of resource, or would cause disproportionate disruption to switch supplier. The decision made to award outside of the ranking structure will only be made where it delivers value for money and maximises public benefit. Direct award using the Desktop Calculator This direct award mechanism allows UKNNL to split the evaluation criteria between price and technical, based upon the requirements of each call-off. The desktop calculator will calculate the Most Advantageous Tenderer, taking into account each suppliers Technical Score, and the rate provided for the role being contracted for. Direct award can be used for both a single role and multiple role call-offs. The rates are assessed using the relative pricing equation: (lowest tendered rate / tenders’ rate) x percentage weighting applied Where multiple rates on the desktop calculator are used, the rate in the equation will be the average of the rates selected. Once the calculator has ranked the suppliers, the highest ranked supplier should be contacted. Should the supplier be unable to fulfill the roles required, to the required clearance level or in the timeframe required, UKNNL will move down the rankings to the next highest ranked supplier who can fulfill the requirements. The weighting between Price and Technical will be dependent upon the specifics of each call-off but must be within the range set out below. Evaluation Criteria Range Pricing 5-95% Technical 5-95%

Award method when using the framework

Either with or without competition

Contracting authorities that may use the framework

Establishing party only

Participation

Particular suitability

Lot 1. Lot 1 - Health Physics and Radiological Protection Advisor

Lot LOT-0001. Lot 2 - Human Factors

Lot LOT-0002. Lot 3 - Radiological & Chemotoxic

Lot LOT-0003. Lot 4 - Criticality Safety and Shielding

Lot LOT-0004. Lot 5 - Nuclear Safety Case

Lot LOT-0005. Lot 6 - Fire Safety (Nuclear and Conventional)

Lot LOT-0006. Lot 7 - Environmental

Lot LOT-0007. Lot 8 - Quality and Assurance

Lot LOT-0008. Lot 9 - Security

Lot LOT-0009. Lot 10 - Multi-Disciplinary Lot

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Submission

Enquiry deadline

28 May 2026, 5:00pm

Tender submission deadline

10 June 2026, 1:00pm

Submission address and any special instructions

Tenders may be submitted electronically

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

English

Award decision date (estimated)

13 July 2026

Award criteria

Lot 1. Lot 1 - Health Physics and Radiological Protection Advisor

Lot LOT-0001. Lot 2 - Human Factors

Lot LOT-0002. Lot 3 - Radiological & Chemotoxic

Lot LOT-0003. Lot 4 - Criticality Safety and Shielding

Lot LOT-0004. Lot 5 - Nuclear Safety Case

Lot LOT-0005. Lot 6 - Fire Safety (Nuclear and Conventional)

Lot LOT-0006. Lot 7 - Environmental

Lot LOT-0007. Lot 8 - Quality and Assurance

Lot LOT-0008. Lot 9 - Security

Lot LOT-0009. Lot 10 - Multi-Disciplinary Lot

Weighting description

No award criteria, auto added to this Lot upon being successful on any lot, Lot 1 through 9.

Other information

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes

Procedure

Procedure type

Open procedure

Contracting authority

United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory

• Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVXT-8784-YGNV

Chadwick House, Birchwood Park

Warrington

WA3 6AE

United Kingdom

Contact name: Emma Kirkpatrick

Telephone: +44 1925933744

Email: emma.kirkpatrick [at] uknnl.com

Website: /

Region: UKD61 - Warrington

Organisation type: Public undertaking (commercial organisation subject to public authority oversight)