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Analysis of Very Low Active and Environmental Samples

Sellafield Ltd

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

21 Jul 2026 at 17:57

Award Notice
Award

21 Jul 2026 at 17:56

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Sellafield Ltd commissioned very low active and environmental sample analytical services to support operations at the Sellafield site in Cumbria. The requirement covers the end-to-end handling of samples: receipt and transportation, storage, laboratory analysis, reporting and disposal of resulting waste. This is a specialist analytical and laboratory services contract, classified under analysis services (CPV 71620000) with laboratory services as an additional classification (CPV 71900000). The work is categorised as services rather than goods or construction. It involves handling very low active material and environmental samples, so relevant suppliers are likely to need facilities, procedures and personnel capable of working safely and compliantly in a nuclear-site environment, alongside the analytical capability needed to produce reliable operational reports.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded following an open procedure above the threshold. The contract was awarded on 8 July 2026 to Cavendish Nuclear Limited. Its value is £113.2 million, with an estimated minimum value of £91,212,912. The contract period runs from 31 July 2026 to 30 July 2034, giving an eight-year term. The published outcome records one active award to Cavendish Nuclear Limited for the full requirement. The tender submission deadline was 9 April 2025 at 1pm. The procurement was assessed as unsuitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and for voluntary, community or social enterprises. The data does not state separate lots or detailed evaluation weightings.

This award demonstrates sustained demand from Sellafield Ltd for a single, large-scale supplier able to manage the complete analytical workflow rather than an isolated laboratory task. Competitors seeking comparable work will need proven very low active and environmental sample analysis, secure sample receipt, transport and storage arrangements, dependable reporting systems and controlled waste-disposal capability. Nuclear-sector experience, robust health, safety and environmental controls, quality assurance, regulatory compliance and sufficient operational capacity would be important indicators of credibility. The procurement also shows that Sellafield has used an above-threshold open route for this requirement and selected a large specialist provider, suggesting that future competition will favour organisations able to demonstrate mature systems, resilience and the resources to support site operations over a sustained period.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Analysis of Very Low Active and Environmental Samples

Notice Description

Sellafield Ltd has awarded a Contract to Cavendish Nuclear Limited to undertake Very Low Active (VLA) Analytical services in support of Sellafield site Operations. The service is to consist of sample receipt and transportation, storage, analyses, reporting and waste disposal. The duration of the Contract is for 8 years. The estimated value of the Contract is PS113.2m. The Contract is dated 8th July 2026

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-1c132884-4739-4bb3-80dd-72f7e0743bf2
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1c448287-1b50-44b2-a058-777bea23f79b
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71620000 - Analysis services

71900000 - Laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£113,200,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£113,200,000 £100M-£1B
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
8 Jul 20262 months ago
Contract Period
31 Jul 2026 - 30 Jul 2034 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Sellafield Ltd
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WARRINGTON
Postcode
WA3 6GR
Postcode Area
Warrington
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD61 Warrington
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Warrington
Electoral Ward
Birchwood
Westminster Constituency
Warrington North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Cavendish Nuclear

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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