Official UK procurement notice
Nuclear Security Contract - UK5
Authority: Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (Central government)
Sectors: Community & Cultural Services (98) Delivery: UK
Awarded value£300,000published award · exc. VAT
Award in standstill Not publishedno call for competition
Award (standstill) to National Nuclear Laboratory
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe Nuclear Security Contract will provide DESNZ with a sustained framework for accessing UKNNL’s specialist nuclear security expertise until March 2029, supporting priority work across HALEU security, maritime security, Security by Design, advanced nuclear technology analysis, and international engagement through research, modelling, technical advice, workshops, and policy Support
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedLot #1Lot 1Awarded
98113100 Nuclear safety services
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Direct award
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Notice status
- Awarded without competition
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Direct award — no call for competition
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- No (one-off requirement)
- First published
- 25 Sept 2026, 14:03 BST
- Last source update
- 25 Sept 2026, 14:03 BST
- Latest notice
- Transparency notice (UK5)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-077aa7
- Why no open competition
- Single Suppliers Technical Reasons; Defence Security Air Maritime Transport
- Published justification
Direct award is recommended because UKNNL, as the UK’s national nuclear laboratory, has unique access to sensitive information, historic datasets, specialist facilities, and nuclear security expertise essential to delivering this programme, including support across HALEU, maritime security, advanced nuclear technologies, and international engagement. The contracting authority (DESNZ) is relying on the following more…
justification from schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023: 5: The following conditions are met in relation to the public Contract- (a) due to a particular supplier having intellectual property rights or other exclusive rights, only that supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and (b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works. 6: The following conditions are met in relation to the public contract— (a) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and (b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works. Paragraph 5 and 6: This justification applies because UKNNL holds a unique position in the market, developed through decades of knowledge and expertise in this subject matter, including experience gained by UKNNL and predecessor HMG-sponsored organisations such as BNFL. This depth of expertise enables UKNNL to collaborate effectively with academia, private organisations in the nuclear sector, and central government departments. As HMG’s Subject Matter Expert in nuclear fuels and materials, UKNNL is uniquely placed to provide DESNZ with advisory support on matters relating to the secure treatment and management of nuclear materials. There are no reasonable alternatives capable of providing the required services to HMG with the same level of assurance and confidence.
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics — not a forecastAwards 1some still in standstill
Awarded value £300,0001 award exc. VAT
| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Nuclear LaboratoryNational Security Contract12 Oct 2026 — 31 Mar 2027 | £300,000 | — | Standstill |
Notice history
2 events · 1 release on Find a Tender · since 25 Sept 2026- Contract signature expected9 Oct 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Transparency notice published25 Sept 2026, 14:03 BSTUK5
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- United Kingdon National Nuclear LaboratoryAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Conflict of interest declarationNot published
Notices published for this procedure
- Transparency notice Transparency notice on Find a Tender