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Site Characterisation Professional Services Support (SCPSS) - C26888

Nuclear Waste Services

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

08 Oct 2026 at 11:26

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

29 Sep 2026 at 14:47

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

24 Aug 2026 at 13:24

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

25 Feb 2026 at 11:52

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

25 Nov 2025 at 17:00

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

15 Sep 2025 at 15:38

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Nuclear Waste Services Limited is procuring specialist professional services to support site characterisation for geological disposal. The framework covers three areas: planning and technical advice for characterisation programmes, including their design and delivery onshore and offshore; geological and geophysical interpretation and modelling across UK sites, regions and basins; and hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical research, interpretation and modelling, including groundwater-flow and solute-transport models. The work supports development of the geological understanding needed for the geological disposal facility programme. It includes consultancy, technical review and support, analysis and modelling, and may involve intrusive or non-intrusive investigations and off-site analysis. Suppliers can compete for distinct specialist workstreams, with the framework intended to appoint specialists suited to each area.

The buyer invited offers through a competitive flexible procedure with two stages: conditions of participation, followed by an invitation to tender. Stage 1 submissions were due by 12 noon on 26 October 2026; questions were due by 12 noon on 19 October 2026. The award decision was scheduled by 17 March 2027. The framework is divided into three lots, and suppliers may bid for up to two and be awarded up to two. Each lot has an estimated value of £4,600, excluding VAT (£5,520 including VAT); the total framework estimate is £13.8 million excluding VAT (£16.56 million including VAT). The framework period is 26 April 2027 to 28 April 2031, with an optional one-year extension at the buyer’s discretion. Evaluation includes a procurement-specific questionnaire; further criteria are set out in the participation documents.

The opportunity suits specialist consultancies and technical organisations with capability in site characterisation planning and advisory work, geological and geophysical analysis and modelling, or hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry. Relevant expertise includes designing and supporting site-characterisation programmes, interpreting geological and geophysical data, modelling geology across multiple sites and basins, and developing conceptual or numerical groundwater-flow and solute-transport models. Suppliers focused on one discipline can target the relevant lot, while organisations covering several fields can bid for up to two lots. The framework is intended to support a major infrastructure programme whose site-characterisation needs and funding may evolve, so suppliers should be prepared to provide specialist support as programme requirements develop. The tender identifies small and medium-sized enterprises as suitable participants.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Site Characterisation Professional Services Support (SCPSS) - C26888

Notice Description

The scope of the SCPSS Framework has been split into three Lots to allow NWS to appoint the right specialist. Lot 1 - Site Characterisation Planning and Technical Advisory Services: includes a wide range of consultancy, advisory, review and support services to NWS associated with all aspects of the planning, design, specification and delivery of site characterisation programmes (including onshore and offshore, intrusive and non-intrusive, plus off-site analysis). Lot 2 - Geological and Geophysical Interpretation and Modelling: encompasses geological and geophysical analysis, interpretation and modelling activities required to support the development of geological understanding. This will include interpretation and modelling across multiple UK sites, regions and basins, reflecting evolving data availability, uncertainty, and project maturity. Lot 3 - Hydrogeological Interpretation and Modelling: encompasses the research and technical development required to characterise, interpret and model hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical systems. This includes the development of conceptual and numerical groundwater flow and solute transport models. ITP and ITT documentation available on Atamis: https://atamis-2464.my.site.com/s/Welcome

Lot Information

Site Characterisation Planning and Technical Advisory Services

Lot 1 - Site Characterisation Planning and Technical Advisory Services

Options: at NWS' discretion

Renewal: +1

Geological and Geophysical Interpretation and Modelling

Lot 2 - Geological and Geophysical Interpretation and Modelling

Options: at NWS' discretion

Renewal: +1

Hydrogeological Interpretation and Modelling

Lot 3 - Hydrogeological Interpretation and Modelling

Options: at NWS' discretion

Renewal: +1

Planning Information

a pre-tender market engagement webinar on will take place at 15:00 on 14/09/2026. Please use the link below to register for the webinar: Nuclear Waste Services SCPSS Webinar (https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/1e2d673b-4388-450c-9977-7c5c76dfc755@1929b5b6-230e-4b2e-837a-b96f0a9b1b56?source=copyLinkLegacyShareEventDialog) If you have any queries or require technical assistance with registration, please contact: gdfmajorprocurements@nuclearwasteservices.uk NWS has also created a webpage to facilitate communication with the market and the sharing of documentation. The link to the webpage is: www.nuclearwasteservices.uk/2025/11/site-characterisation-professional-services-support-scpss/

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-059a7a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/095106-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

71300000 - Engineering services

71311000 - Civil engineering consultancy services

71312000 - Structural engineering consultancy services

71313000 - Environmental engineering consultancy services

71318000 - Advisory and consultative engineering services

71332000 - Geotechnical engineering services

71336000 - Engineering support services

71351000 - Geological, geophysical and other scientific prospecting services

71351100 - Core preparation and analysis services

71351200 - Geological and geophysical consultancy services

71351400 - Petrophysical interpretation services

71351500 - Ground investigation services

71351700 - Scientific prospecting services

71351710 - Geophysical prospecting services

71351900 - Geology, oceanography and hydrology services

71352100 - Seismic services

71353000 - Surface surveying services

71354100 - Digital mapping services

71510000 - Site-investigation services

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

90710000 - Environmental management

90711000 - Environmental impact assessment other than for construction

90711500 - Environmental monitoring other than for construction

90712000 - Environmental planning

90713000 - Environmental issues consultancy services

90733700 - Groundwater pollution monitoring or control services

98113100 - Nuclear safety services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£13,800,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£13,800 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Oct 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 Sep 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
26 Apr 2027 - 28 Apr 2031 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Nuclear Waste Services
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
Postcode Area
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
Not specified
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

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