Find a TenderAwarded
Published 14 Feb 2025, 15:39 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

Expert Support and Alternative Solutions Framework

Official notice

Authority: Nuclear Waste Services Limited (Public body)

Framework agreementServicesOpen procedure
Framework ceiling (notional)£14,500,000framework ceiling, not attributable revenue
Submissions closed 22 Apr 2025awarded 21 Apr 2026
Framework period 4 yrsends 11 Dec 2029 · starts 12 Dec 2025

What is being bought

Published requirement description

Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), through its Waste Services line of business, will provide an Expert Support & Alternative Treatment Solutions (ESAS) service to both Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and non-NDA customers. The ESAS Framework (estimated value of £14.5m, although formally a zero-value agreement with no spend guaranteed) will be available to all NWS customers with a Waste Services Contract. The Framework includes: <br/>- On-site support;<br/>- Technical and professional waste services;<br/>- Enabling activities;<br/>- Development and delivery of alternative solutions (including pilots);<br/>- Research & development;<br/>- Container and package quality.

CPV: Radioactive waste treatment services · Radioactive-, toxic-, medical- and hazardous waste services · Technical analysis or consultancy services · Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services

How this framework works

From the published notice
Places
up to 1 suppliers · 8 bids received (8.0 per place) · 6 appointed (full)
Framework period
4 yrs from 12 Dec 2025, N/A

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published
Lot #1As the diversion of LLW from LLW Repository (nr Drigg, Cumbria) has become business as…Cancelled 4 yrsPublished value£14,500,000

As the diversion of LLW from LLW Repository (nr Drigg, Cumbria) has become business as usual over the past 10 years and decommissioning programmes at customer sites have matured; the types of waste being managed through NWS frameworks has changed. NWS is seeing an increase in the number of challenging / problematic waste streams which require broader waste acceptance criteria and/or a range of specialist waste management advice/support. Customers often also require support higher up in the waste lifecycle / value chain, covering route development / optimisation, characterisation techniques and training of their internal resources. This trend is set to continue as further changes in decommissioning occur over the next decade.<br/><br/>The ESAS Framework therefore supports NWS’ mission and vision by providing access to an experienced pool of expert resources and fit for purpose responsive solutions. The Framework provides access to contractors with knowledge and understanding across the full radioactive waste management lifecycle and the ability to operate and execute work and provide support at any stage of the lifecycle.<br/><br/>The Framework will be for use by organisations that either currently hold, or may in future enter into, a Waste Services Contract with NWS. These organisations include private sector bodies, plus public sector bodies that fall into one or more of the following categories;<br/>1) Any of the following and their future successors:<br/>(a) ministerial government departments;<br/>(b) non-ministerial government departments;<br/>(c) executive agencies of government;<br/>(d) Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs), including advisory NDPBs, executive NDPBs, and tribunal NDPBs;<br/>(e) Assembly Sponsored Public Bodies (ASPBs);<br/>(f) police forces;<br/>(g) fire and rescue services;<br/>(h) ambulance services;<br/>(i) maritime and coastguard agency services;<br/>(j) NHS bodies;<br/>(k) educational bodies or establishments including state schools (nursery schools, primary schools, middle or high schools, secondary schools, special schools), academies, colleges, Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), further education colleges and universities;<br/>(l) hospices;<br/>(m) national parks;<br/>(n) housing associations, including registered social landlords;<br/>(o) third sector and charities;<br/>(p) citizens advice bodies;<br/>(q) Councils, including county councils, district councils, county borough councils, community councils, London borough councils, unitary councils, metropolitan councils, parish councils;<br/>(r) public corporations;<br/>(s) public financial bodies or institutions;<br/>(t) public pension funds;<br/>(u) central banks; and<br/>(v) civil service bodies, including public sector buying organisations.<br/>2) Those listed and maintained by the Government on their website at www.gov.uk/government/organisat… ↗ or any replacement or updated web-link.<br/>3) Those listed and maintained by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) at www.ons.gov.uk/economy/nationalacco… ↗ or any replacement or updated web-link.<br/>4) Those bodies in England, Wales or Northern Ireland which are within the scope of the definition of ‘Contracting Authority’ in regulation 2(1) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR) and/or Schedule 1 PCR. Additional information: The framework value is an estimate only and no guarantee can be given regarding the value or volume of work.

Contract period: 12 Dec 2025 – 11 Dec 2029 (4 yrs)
Delivery: North West · Old Shore Road, Holmrook, Cumbria, CA19 1XP
Variant bids: not allowed

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored
Quality: 70%Price: 20%Social value: 10%
Published sub-criteria (3)
  • Technical: 70%
  • price: 20%
  • Social Value and Carbon: 10%
Published award criteria (3)
  • Technical: 70%
  • Social Value and Carbon: 10%
  • Price: 20%
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 20 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 2 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
  • “Expert Support and Alternative Solutions Framework” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 1 suppliers, not a single contract.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Open procedure
Legal basis
CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Framework agreement
Who may use the vehicle
Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Yes
First published
14 Feb 2025, 15:39 GMT
Last source update
24 Apr 2026, 13:27 BST
Award evaluation window
14 Feb 2025 – …
Authority reference
C16721
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-037590
Classification (CPV)
Radioactive waste treatment servicesRadioactive-, toxic-, medical- and hazardous waste servicesTechnical analysis or consultancy servicesTechnical testing, analysis and consultancy services
Delivery area
North West (UKD1)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-04e212 Find a Tender
Contract terms
Electronic trading
e-invoicing allowed · electronic payment
Review and risk notes
Review procedure

Any appeals should be promptly brought to the attention of the contact specified in Section I above, and will be dealt with in accordance with the requirements of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Any appeals must be brought within the timescales specified by the applicable law, including without limitation, the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. In accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the Contracting Authority will also incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period from the date information on award of contract is communicated to tenderers.

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: Atamis (Health Family) · Who buys & how to bid on Atamis
Supplier login requiredLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free · one account PER buying organisation portal · password resets come "from Salesforce.com" (check spam)
Appointment period ends
22 Apr 2025, 17:00 BST
Submission channel
{"electronicSubmission","written"}
Accepted languages
en
Bids opened
14 Feb 2025, 15:00 GMT
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Timeline

14 Feb 2025 → 24 Apr 2026 · 5 dates
  1. Bids opened
    14 Feb 2025, 15:00 GMT
  2. Admission / appointment period endsperiod end, not a bid countdown
    22 Apr 2025, 17:00 BST
  3. Contract starts309 days ago
    12 Dec 2025
  4. Bids must remain valid until178 days ago
    21 Apr 2026, 23:59 BST
  5. Notice published175 days ago
    24 Apr 2026, 13:27 BST

Notice history

1 event · 2 releases on Find a Tender
  1. Status changed to complete
    24 Apr 2026, 13:27 BST

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Suppliers appointed 6admitted to the panel · see the list ↓
Bids received 8
Contracts signed 6latest 21 Apr 2026

6 suppliers are admitted to this framework without individual award values or dates, see the supplier list below.

Contracts

  • Contract 037590-2026-1

    Signed
    21 Apr 2026
    Value
    —
    Period
    … – 11 Dec 2029
    Status
    active
  • Contract 037590-2026-2

    Signed
    21 Apr 2026
    Value
    —
    Period
    … – 11 Dec 2029
    Status
    active
  • Contract 037590-2026-3

    Signed
    21 Apr 2026
    Value
    —
    Period
    … – 11 Dec 2029
    Status
    active
  • Contract 037590-2026-4

    Signed
    21 Apr 2026
    Value
    —
    Period
    … – 11 Dec 2029
    Status
    active
  • Contract 037590-2026-5

    Signed
    21 Apr 2026
    Value
    —
    Period
    … – 11 Dec 2029
    Status
    active
  • Contract 037590-2026-6

    Signed
    21 Apr 2026
    Value
    —
    Period
    … – 11 Dec 2029
    Status
    active

Bid statistics published by the authority

BidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
8bids · 8 electronic0—£14,500,000 – £14,500,000

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Nuclear Waste Services Limited

Contracting authorityPublic bodyBody governed by public lawNuclear Decommissioning 05608448 Pelham House, Pelham Drive,, Calderbridge, Seascale, North West, CA20 1DBContact name, email Published organisation website ↗

Dispute resolution & review bodies

  • Royal Courts Of JusticeMediation bodyReview body LondonContact email

Framework contractors & participating bidders

6 commercial parties on the notice
  • AMENTUM CLEAN ENERGY LIMITEDFramework contractor01172655 305 Bridgewater Place, Birchwood Park, Warrington, North West, WA36XG
  • Atkins LimitedFramework contractor00688424 Woodcote Grove, Ashley Road Epsom United Kingdom, Epsom, South East, KT18 5BW
  • Cyclife UKFramework contractor04772229 1 Joseph Noble Road, Lillyhall Industrial Estate Workington, Cumbria,, Workington, North West, CA14 4JX
  • NSG Environmental LtdFramework contractor2769182 Scientia House Western Avenue Matrix Park Chorley Lancashire PR7 7NB, PR, North West, PR7 7NB
  • Nuvia LimitedFramework contractor2063786 3rd Floor Chadwick House, Birchwood Park, Risley, Warrington, Warrington, North West, WA3 6AE
  • Orano LimitedFramework contractor01303570 Suite 8 Hitching Court Blacklands Way Oxfordshire, Abingdon, South East, OX14 1RA

Official documents & specifications (2)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

  • Economic and financial selection criteriatenderEconomic and financial selection criteria
  • Technical selection criteriatenderTechnical selection criteria