Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR) Vault Optimisation and Capping Delivery

NUCLEAR WASTE SERVICES LIMITED

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Planning

17 Jun 2026 at 10:13

Planning

24 Oct 2025 at 13:23

Planning

16 Sep 2025 at 15:02

Planning

21 Jul 2025 at 09:44

Planning

09 Jul 2025 at 14:55

Summary of the contracting process

Nuclear Waste Services Limited, operating as a sub-central government public authority, is currently in the planning stage of a tender process titled "Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR) Vault Optimisation and Capping Delivery." This procurement, tagged under the industry category of construction and civil engineering, pertains to a significant project located in Seascale, Cumbria, United Kingdom. The process is structured to initiate on 17th June 2026 with a site tour scheduled for 14th July 2026, followed by a market engagement event on 28th July 2026. Interested parties are required to register by 1st July 2026. The procurement method involves a comprehensive framework agreement, with the overall contract valued at £318 million net (£382 million gross), focusing on works above the specified threshold. The contract period is anticipated to commence on 25th February 2028, concluding on 25th February 2038.

This tender offers a substantial opportunity for businesses with expertise in large-scale engineering, particularly those experienced in earthworks, site clearance, and environmental protection projects. Companies specialising in construction, engineering design, and those capable of delivering complete or part civil engineering works will find this project highly beneficial for business growth. Given the project's long-term scope and significant budget, it is well-suited for large contractors or consortiums with a proven track record in similar infrastructure projects. Participation will enable firms to establish or enhance their presence within the nuclear and broader construction sectors, providing future business prospects and reinforcing technical competencies.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR) Vault Optimisation and Capping Delivery

Notice Description

Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) is seeking a Contractor to provide all necessary Design & Engineering, Labour, Equipment, Plant & Materials to undertake all works associated with the delivery of Vault Optimisation and Capping Delivery. The contractor should have a proven track record in handling large scale Earthworks projects, equipped with necessary machinery and expertise to ensure the project is completed efficiently and on schedule. Nuclear Waste Services operates the Low-Level Waste Repository (LLWR) Site in West Cumbria on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. The LLWR Site is the national disposal facility for Low Level Waste (LLW) arising from the nuclear industry and wider industries, such as medical and defence. Protecting and developing the Repository's radioactive waste disposal capability is a long-term programme of works, over the next 100+ years, that will provide future disposal facilities and protection of people and the environment from the disposed waste through to closure of the Repository Site. In the shorter term, over the next 15 years, the focus is on installing closure engineering works for long-term environmental protection from the wastes currently disposed of in Vault 8 and the adjacent legacy disposal trenches as well as constructing additional disposal capacity in the form of new LLW vaults. The project under NWS covers the following packages of works: - Final Capping (provide an engineered protective cover) over all the Low Level Waste that has been disposed of in the trenches and vaults. - Design of an extension to the existing disposal Vault (V9), retaining wall to allow partial closure seal of V9, new Leachate Management System and weather protection warehousing for HHISO containers awaiting disposal. - Construction of an extension to the existing LLW disposal Vault (V9), retaining wall, partial closure seal of V9, new Leachate Management System and weather protection warehousing for HHISO containers awaiting disposal. - Design of an Interim Cap over the closed section of Vault 9. - Construction of an Interim Cap over the Low Level Waste that has been disposed in Vault 9. Works include but is not limited to; - Earthworks, including excavation and Backfill work - Provision of associated plant - Site Clearance - Groundworks - Piling - Aggregates - Demolition - Drainage - Engineering & Construction Works - Design - Land remediation

Planning Information

An in person Low-Level Waste Repository Site tour is to be held Tuesday 14th July where principal contractors are invited to visit our Drigg site. Following the site tour, principal contractors will be encouraged to submit clarifications to NWS. Responses will be issued to all bidders in a transparent manner and will help inform and refine the Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation. This will then be followed by an online Market Engagement Event held on Tuesday 28th July where NWS will present the final procurement strategy, provide further detail on the scope of works and programme, and address any outstanding queries ahead of tender publication. To register your place on the Site tour (reserved for those principal contractors) and/or virtual Market Engagement Event, please contact VOCDProcurement@nuclearwasteservices.uk by COP Monday 1st July 2026.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-055c45
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057001-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)

45 - Construction work

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

44000000 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)

44900000 - Stone for construction, limestone, gypsum and slate

45000000 - Construction work

45100000 - Site preparation work

45112000 - Excavating and earthmoving work

45112300 - Infill and land-reclamation work

45112500 - Earthmoving work

45200000 - Works for complete or part construction and civil engineering work

45220000 - Engineering works and construction works

71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

71320000 - Engineering design services

71322000 - Engineering design services for the construction of civil engineering works

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£318,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Jun 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
17 Aug 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
25 Feb 2028 - 25 Feb 2038 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NUCLEAR WASTE SERVICES LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CALDERBRIDGE, SEASCALE
Postcode
CA20 1DB
Post Town
Carlisle
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD1 Cumbria
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD13 Cumberland
Delivery Location
TLD11 West Cumbria

Local Authority
Cumberland
Electoral Ward
Gosforth
Westminster Constituency
Whitehaven and Workington

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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