Award

Hire of 3 x air compressors

SELLAFIELD LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

09 Sep 2025 at 14:42

Award

08 Sep 2025 at 16:44

Summary of the contracting process

Sellafield Limited, a prominent sub-central government public authority, has completed the tendering process for the "Hire of 3 x air compressors" to support its Thorp facility in Warrington, United Kingdom (UKD11). The procurement, finalised on 9th September 2025, resulted in a direct award contract, valued grossly at £3,000,000, with Atlas Copco Ltd appointed as the supplier. This procurement falls under the services industry category, with a specific focus on compressors and their maintenance. The contract period runs from 22nd September 2025 until 21st September 2029. Key dates include the end of the standstill period on 18th September 2025 and the anticipated contract signing by 19th September 2025.

This contract presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in the provision and maintenance of industrial air compressors. The direct award method indicates a preference for vendors who can ensure compatibility with existing systems, which in this case is crucial due to the technical complexities involved with the Thorp facility's operation. Large-scale suppliers with experience in safety-critical environments are particularly well-suited, and subcontracting opportunities may be available, offering potential collaboration possibilities for smaller entities looking to expand in the industrial services sector.

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Notice Title

Hire of 3 x air compressors

Notice Description

Hire of 3 x Air Compressors for Thorp facility.

Procurement Information

(a) a change in supplier would result in the contracting authority receiving goods that are different from, or incompatible with, the existing works. The Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant ("Thorp"), requires compressed air to enable process operations and for use by instrumentation. Process Air is a requirement of the current safety case governing Thorp and which states process air provision must be returned to service within 24 hours following failure. The installed system currently providing this compressed air has been identified as coming to the end of its effective operational life during a maintenance survey and a complete replacement of the existing compressor systems in Thorp is required. Parts of the current system have suffered failure due to the degraded condition of the existing compressors, however, the complexity of replacing the entire system means it cannot be delivered immediately. A temporary, back-up solution is therefore required that will act as per the installed system in fault conditions. It is essential that this temporary solution is compatible with the installed system to meet the requirements set out in the Operational Safety Memorandum ("OSM"). The temporary solution that is substantiated for use in line with the Operational Safety Memorandum is 3 off diesel-powered air compressors supplying air to the process air header. These will be rented from the existing supplier to ensure compatibility with the current system and supporting arrangements. (b) the difference or incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation. Any compatibility issues would result in the safety case for Thorp not being met meaning in turn Thorp could not operate. Such an impact on operations is clearly disproportionate given the temporary nature of proposed award.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-059635
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055114-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

42 - Industrial machinery

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

42123000 - Compressors

50531300 - Repair and maintenance services of compressors

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£2,500,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Sep 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
8 Sep 20256 months ago
Contract Period
21 Sep 2025 - 21 Sep 2029 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SELLAFIELD 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
WARRINGTON
Postcode
WA3 6GR
Post Town
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

ATLAS COPCO

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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