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Analysis of Very Low Active and Environmental Samples

Sellafield Limited

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

21 Jul 2026 at 17:37

Award Notice
Tender

11 Feb 2025 at 15:59

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Sellafield Limited procured Very Low Active (VLA) analytical services for its Sellafield site operations. The requirement covers the complete handling and testing chain: receiving and transporting samples, storing them, carrying out analyses, reporting results and disposing of waste. The service supports Sellafield’s site-licence obligations, including reporting to environmental regulators and demonstrating that effluent and other waste activities use Best Available Technology and are managed As Low as Reasonably Practicable. This is a specialist laboratory and nuclear-environment services requirement, delivered at the Sellafield site in the North West of England. The procurement is classified as analysis services, with laboratory services as an additional classification. Sellafield Limited is the buying organisation.

The procurement has been awarded following an open procedure. Cavendish Nuclear Limited was selected for the single lot, and the contract is active. The contract was signed on 8 July 2026, with a value of £91,212,912. The lot had an estimated value of £96 million, while the tender description stated an estimated contract value of £113.2 million. The contract period runs from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2034, for eight years, with no renewal or additional options. Evaluation weighted technical quality at 70% and price at 30%. Two electronic bids were received, including no bids from SMEs. The original bid deadline was 9 April 2025, and the bid-opening date was also 9 April 2025.

This requirement shows sustained demand from Sellafield for specialist VLA analytical capability supporting nuclear-site operations and environmental compliance. A credible future competitor would need to manage the full service chain rather than laboratory analysis alone: secure sample receipt and transport, controlled storage, technically robust testing, clear regulatory reporting and compliant waste disposal. Relevant experience in nuclear, radioactive or environmentally sensitive laboratory services would help demonstrate an understanding of site-licence obligations, environmental regulator reporting, Best Available Technology and As Low as Reasonably Practicable controls. The procurement attracted two bids, both submitted electronically, and the successful supplier was a large organisation. Strong technical quality mattered substantially more than price in the evaluation.

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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.<br/><br/>The duration of the Contract is for 8 years. The estimated value of the Contract is PS113.2m.<br/><br/>The Contract is dated 8th July 2026

Lot Information

Lot 1

Following competition utilising the Open Procedure, 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.

Analytical Services provides an essential service in support of Sellafield Operations which in accordance with its Site Licence Conditions requires Sellafield to report to the regulatory bodies e.g., Environmental Agency (EA) and demonstrate the use of Best Available Technology (BAT) and As Low as Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) for the management of effluent and other waste activities which are key to delivery of the Sellafield Ltd mission. The site is envisaged to have a demand for analytical services until 2110.

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-h6vhtk-04ddd7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068902-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
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
£96,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£96,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£91,212,912 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
9 Apr 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
8 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
1 Aug 2026 - 31 Jul 2034 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Sellafield Limited
Additional Buyers

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
TLD1 Cumbria
Local Authority
Warrington
Electoral Ward
Birchwood
Westminster Constituency
Warrington North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Cavendish Nuclear Limited

Further Information

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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