Technical Support to Regulatory Assessments of Solid Radioactive Waste Disposal Framework

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    "description": "The Environment Agency is the independent environmental regulator for the nuclear industry and for radioactive substances regulation in England. It regulates a range of activities, depending on the type of site, but in all cases it regulates the disposal of solid radioactive waste on or from the site, as well as discharges to air and water (which are also defined as disposal under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 (EPR2016)). Its remit covers England, but the Environment Agency works closely with the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) on matters of mutual interest, including those relating to the management and disposal of solid radioactive waste.\nThe Authority is seeking to establish an Open Framework, for up to an 8 (eight) year period, with multiple suppliers across 3 (three) technical Lots, that have the capability to provide technical support and scrutiny across several areas  of solid radioactive waste disposal. Suppliers appointed to the Framework will support the Environment Agency in meeting its statutory obligations in the regulation of solid radioactive waste disposal. \nSuppliers are required for the provision of expert advice and scrutiny on solid radioactive waste disposal including, but not limited to, support in the technical evaluation of near-surface Environmental Safety Cases (ESCs) from developers and operators of radioactive waste disposal facilities and Site-Wide Environmental Safety Case (SWESCs) from operators of nuclear licensed sites and expert advice and scrutiny on geological solid radioactive waste disposal. The scope of services will also encompass expert advice relating to the Environment Agency\u2019s remit in pre-disposal management and materials not yet formally declared as wastes, such as spent fuel and separated plutonium and other advice connected with solid radioactive waste disposal.\nThe Framework will also be available to other Defra group bodies which have regulatory roles in the nuclear industry should they require services related to solid radioactive waste disposal to fulfil their statutory obligations.\nThe full Framework Scope and Technical Specifications are provided in the Bidder Pack which also contains the full details of the opportunity, the tender process and how to submit a tender. The Bidder Pack is available via the Authority\u2019s eSourcing portal.\nNote: there has been an amendment to the previously published UK03 Planned Procurement Notice (UK-0561). The lot structure has been amended - Lot 3 will now be divided into three (3) separate Sub-lots not a single Lot as previously advised.\nTo participate in the tendering procedure you must be registered on the Defra eSourcing Portal to access the opportunity and submit a Tender Response. Details of how to register your organisation can be found at https://atamis-9529.my.site.com/s/Welcome",
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      "awardCriteriaDetails": "The Framework will be structured in 3  technical Lots.\nThe Lots will be divided into 7 further sub-lots. The Sub-lots will be awarded as follows:\nLOT 1 - Specialist Support to Solid Radioactive Waste Regulation:\nSub-lot 1.1 Technical Secretariat for Expert Advisory Panel will be awarded to a single (1) supplier that receives the highest total evaluation score, i.e. ranked 1st (first), for this sub-lot.\nSub-lot 1.2 Topical Review Services \u2013 the successful suppliers appointed to Sub-lots 2.1, 2.2 and all Lot 3 Sub-lots will automatically be offered a Framework Agreement to provide Services for Sub-lot 1.2.\nLOT 2 - Specialist support to regulation of solid radioactive waste near-surface disposal:\nSub-lot 2.1 LLWR 2026 Environmental Safety Case will be awarded to a single (1) supplier that receives the highest total evaluation score, i.e. ranked 1st (first), for this sub-lot.\nSub-lot 2.1 Radioactive waste disposal at landfills, decommissioning sites and other facilities will be awarded to up to 5 suppliers which receive the 5 highest total evaluation scores, i.e. ranked 1st \u2013 5th, for this sub-lot.\nLot 3 - Specialist support to regulation of geological disposal:\nEach Sub-lot (3.1, 3.2, and 3.3) will be awarded to up to 3 suppliers per Sub-lot, which receive the 3  highest total evaluation scores for the relevant Sub-lot, i.e. ranked 1st \u2013 3rd for each Sub-lot.\nThere is no restriction on the number of Lots or Sub-lots tenderers may bid for. Tenderers may be offered a framework agreement/contract for multiple or all Sub-lots if their tender for each Sub-lot is ranked as set out above.",
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        "description": "The Authority will appoint a single supplier to provide technical secretariat support to establish and maintain an Expert Advisory Panel. The Environment Agency Expert Advisory Panel (EAEAP) will provide independent advice and expertise in the following areas relating to the regulation of solid radioactive waste disposal and pre-disposal management.\nThe full Specification is included in the Bidder Pack Annex C.",
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        "description": "The Authority will appoint a single Contractor, with the required skills and experience, to assist the Environment Agency in its detailed review of the 2026 Environmental Safety Case (ESC) for the Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR) facility in Cumbria, England. The Authority expects to benefit from the Contractor bringing to the review their experience from involvement in other near-surface radioactive waste disposal safety assessments. The Contractor should also bring specific capabilities in facility design and substantiation, materials performance, conceptual environmental model review, safety assessment calculation specification and undertaking of assessment modelling (e.g. using GoldSim and or other suitable software).\nThe exact nature, scope and specification of the Services required from the Contractor will be finalised following receipt of the 2026 ESC, expected in May 2026.\nLot number\nFor further details see Specification Annex D in the Bidder Pack",
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        "description": "The Environment Agency anticipates receiving applications from operators for either the disposal of LLW to existing landfills or for the construction of a new dedicated disposal facilities on nuclear sites which may require input from expert external consultants.\nThe Authority will appoint up 5 (five) suppliers to provide technical support to assist in the review of ESCs submitted in support of permit applications for the disposal of solid LLW to landfill. Outputs would inform the Environment Agency\u2019s determination of the ESC review or permit variation. The number and timing of these reviews is not currently known.\nSee Specification Annex D in the Bidder Pack for further details",
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        "description": "Lot 3 will provide specialist expertise and advice to the Environment Agency related to the regulation of geological disposal. Framework Suppliers will provide technical support to supplement internal Environment Agency capability during both the pre-application stage and the review of the first permit application for intrusive site investigations. \nThis Sub-lot will provide expert support for the review of site descriptive models, including aspects relating to hydrogeology, geochemistry and structural geology. Up to three suppliers will be appointed.\nThe Annex E Specification in the Bidder Pack provides further information.",
        "hasOptions": true,
        "id": "3.1",
        "options": {
          "description": "The Framework may be re-opened in year three to establish a follow on Framework for up to a further 5 years."
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "The conditions and information to be provided is set out in the Bidder Pack Part Two-Procurement Specific Requirements.",
              "type": "economic"
            },
            {
              "description": "N/A",
              "type": "technical"
            }
          ]
        },
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true
        },
        "title": "Regulatory review of Site Descriptive Models",
        "value": {
          "amount": 3777000.0,
          "amountGross": 4532000.0,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "name": "Technical",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 60.0,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "name": "Social Value",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 10.0,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "name": "Commercial",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 30.0,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2030-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-09-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "description": "Lot 3 will provide specialist expertise and advice to the Environment Agency related to the regulation of geological disposal. Framework Suppliers will provide technical support to supplement internal Environment Agency capability during both the pre-application stage and the review of the first permit application for intrusive site investigations. \nThis Sub-lot will provide expert support for the  review of site characterisation plans including for deep borehole drilling and investigations. Up to three suppliers will be appointed.\nThe Annex E Specification in the Bidder Pack provides further information.",
        "hasOptions": true,
        "id": "3.2",
        "options": {
          "description": "The Framework may be re-opened in year three to establish a follow on Framework for up to a further 5 years."
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "The conditions and information to be provided is set out in the Bidder Pack Part Two-Procurement Specific Requirements.",
              "type": "economic"
            },
            {
              "description": "N/A",
              "type": "technical"
            }
          ]
        },
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true
        },
        "title": "Site Characterisation Plans",
        "value": {
          "amount": 3777000.0,
          "amountGross": 4532000.0,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "name": "Technical",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 60.0,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "name": "Social Value",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 10.0,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "name": "Commercial",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 30.0,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2030-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-09-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "description": "Lot 3 will provide specialist expertise and advice to the Environment Agency related to the regulation of geological disposal. Framework Suppliers will provide technical support to supplement internal Environment Agency capability during both the pre-application stage and the review of the first permit application for intrusive site investigations. \nThis Sub-lot will provide expert support for the  review of ESC and environmental safety assessment development. Up to three suppliers will be appointed.\nThe Annex E Specification in the Bidder Pack provides further information.",
        "hasOptions": true,
        "id": "3.3",
        "options": {
          "description": "The Framework may be re-opened in year three to establish a follow on Framework for up to a further 5 years."
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "The conditions and information to be provided is set out in the Bidder Pack Part Two-Procurement Specific Requirements.",
              "type": "economic"
            },
            {
              "description": "N/A",
              "type": "technical"
            }
          ]
        },
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true
        },
        "title": "Environmental Safety Case (ESC) and safety assessment development\u202f",
        "value": {
          "amount": 3777000.0,
          "amountGross": 4532000.0,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      }
    ],
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "participationFees": [
      {
        "description": "No fees applicable",
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-061077",
        "type": [
          "win"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "procedure": {
      "features": "This procurement is being conducted as a Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. Completion and submission of all documents will be conducted via the Authority\u2019s eSourcing system. There will be three stages as follows:\nStage One \u2013 Conditions of Participation\nAt this stage of the procurement Tenderers will be asked to submit their Procurement Specific Questionnaire and the response to the Conditions of Participation.\n1.1 Conditions of Participation and Procurement Specific Questionnaire\nTenderers must complete a series of questions to allow the Authority to confirm their eligibility to participate in the competition, together with core supplier information, additional exclusions and debarment information.\nTenderers will not progress to the Technical Response stage if they do not pass this stage.\nStage Two \u2013 Tender Stage\n1.2 Technical Response\nTenderers must respond to a series of technical questions as outlined on the Authority\u2019s eSourcing system. Responses will be evaluated as described in this document and the Authority\u2019s eSourcing system. If Tenderers fail to meet any minimum Technical Threshold set for a Response, they will be eliminated from the competition and not progress to having their Commercial Response assessed. Suppliers must upload their Form of Tender otherwise their submission will not be considered.\n1.3 Commercial Response\nTenderers must complete the Pricing Schedule in the Bidder Pack and upload it as the Response to the commercial question as detailed on the Authority\u2019s eSourcing system. Responses will be evaluated as described in the Bidder Pack Part Two document.\nScores from the technical and commercial sections will be added together to arrive at a total weighted score. \nStage Three (optional) \u2013 Negotiation Stage\nAs set out in the Bidder Pack Part Two document, following the initial evaluation of bidders\u0027 commercial offer, the Authority may request bidders review their Price Schedule to provide a Best and Final Offer. A further evaluation to confirm the most advantageous tenders for each Sub-lot will be undertaken.\nOnce evaluations have been completed, the most advantageous tenders for each Sub-lot will be the Tenderers with the highest final score(s). Tenderers will be notified about whether they have been successful in securing a place on the Framework. The number of Tenderers to be offered a contract for each Sub-lot is set out in the Bidder Pack Part Two document. \nPlease note that this tender will be tendered, evaluated and awarded on a sub-lot basis."
    },
    "procurementMethod": "open",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Competitive flexible procedure",
    "recurrence": {
      "dates": [
        {
          "startDate": "2029-08-31T23:59:59+01:00"
        }
      ]
    },
    "riskDetails": "Risk 1 \u2013 Potential for Call\u2011Off Contract Values to Exceed Framework Upper Limit:\nThere is uncertainty regarding the future pipeline of work. As a result, the cumulative value of call\u2011off contracts may exceed the current upper value limit of \u00a39.75m during the Framework Period. This risk cannot be fully addressed within the contract terms because the volume of work required is dependent on the number and type of applications received from industry operators and the level of external resource the Authority will require to support applications, which cannot be reliably forecast at this stage.\nRisk 2 \u2013 Impact of Government Regulatory Changes and Nuclear Policy Developments:\nCurrent and future Government regulatory reviews, together with the potential implications of the recent Atlantic Partnership for Nuclear Energy announcement, may affect the volume, value, or scope of services required under the Framework. These impacts cannot currently be quantified and therefore cannot be fully reflected in the contract specification or pricing model at the point of award.",
    "status": "active",
    "submissionMethodDetails": "Details of the information required for Tenders and submission instructions are set out in the Bidder Pack which can be accessed through the Defra eSourcing portal. All submissions must be made using the eSourcing Portal. \nDetails of how to register your organisation on the portal can be found at https://atamis-9529.my.site.com/s/Welcome. \nTenderers must also be registered on the Central Digital Platform (CDF). Details of how to register can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-act-2023-short-guides/suppliers-how-to-register-your-organisation-and-first-administrator-on-find-a-tender-in-three-easy-steps-html",
    "submissionTerms": {
      "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
      "languages": [
        "en"
      ]
    },
    "techniques": {
      "frameworkAgreement": {
        "buyerCategories": "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Defra group bodies (including but not limited to Core Defra, Natural England and Marine Maritime Organisation).",
        "description": "The Authority anticipates the framework will operate for 8 (eight) years in total commencing 1st September 2026 until 31 August 2034. The initial Framework Period will be for a  period of 4 (four) years to 31 August 2030. The Authority anticipates the framework will be re-opened in its third year (2029) with a further tender process undertaken to establish a follow-on framework for up to a further 5 (five) years to 2034 at the discretion of the Authority and subject to a continued business need. Sub-lot 2.1 will not be included in the re-opening process.\nAt the re-opening point incumbent framework suppliers will have the opportunity to revise their tender response, leave their offer as per their last framework tender submission or voluntarily exit the framework. Tenderers should be aware that at the re-opening point new suppliers will have the opportunity to tender to be included on the framework. All tender responses from incumbent and new suppliers will undergo an evaluation process to select the successful suppliers for the follow-on framework. Incumbent suppliers may be replaced by other suppliers with higher scoring tenders.",
        "isOpenFrameworkScheme": true,
        "maximumParticipants": 16,
        "method": "withAndWithoutReopeningCompetition",
        "openFrameworkSchemeEndDate": "2034-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
        "type": "open"
      },
      "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
    },
    "tenderPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2026-04-07T15:00:00+01:00"
    },
    "title": "Technical Support to Regulatory Assessments of Solid Radioactive Waste Disposal Framework",
    "value": {
      "amount": 9750000.0,
      "amountGross": 11700000.0,
      "currency": "GBP"
    }
  }
}