Planning

Modelling of Critical Nuclear Facilities

UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

15 Oct 2025 at 09:28

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process is currently at the planning stage for a contract titled "Modelling of Critical Nuclear Facilities" with the buying organisation, United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory Limited. This project falls under the industry category of services, particularly focusing on technical and software programming services. The procurement involves developing 3D models to support IAEA safeguard activities related to nuclear facilities. The contract, located in Warrington, United Kingdom (region UKD61), offers a procurement value of £400,000, excluding VAT. A key milestone is the market engagement phase, inviting interested parties to contact the procurement office before 29th October 2025. The contract period is projected to start on 1st April 2026 and end by 31st March 2029, with a potential extension up to 31st March 2031.

This tender presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in advanced 3D modelling and software integration within the nuclear sector. Companies with experience in developing models that align with IAEA standards will find this opportunity suitable. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate, given the nature of the work and the open procurement method employed. The sensitive nature of the nuclear facilities necessitates that interested contractors have the necessary security credentials to handle confidential information. Engaging in this contract could expand a business's expertise in cutting-edge modelling technologies and enhance its credibility in high-stakes and government dealings.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

Modelling of Critical Nuclear Facilities

Notice Description

Development of 3D Models for Nuclear Facilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) maintains its ability to verify the nuclear programmes of non-nuclear weapon State (NNWS), including the capability to rapidly respond to any significant changes required for the implementation of safeguards-related activities in the field. As one part of its longer-term preparedness activities to date, the Department of Safeguards has already been able to acquire and demonstrate a limited technical capability in using Virtual Reality (VR) navigation inside real-world 3D scans, including the ability to attach relevant geobased data sources to 2D optical imagery. Lessons learned from previous VR projects have already been applied in the development of the current capability. However, to be more effective in its ability to rapidly respond to potentially significant changes in the short term, there is a need for the Department of Safeguards to develop 3D models of a number of very specific critical facilities. As part of its long term preparedness activities, the Department of Safeguards needs to develop the ability to develop and use 3D and Virtual Reality (VR) models for training, analysis and knowledge management. This task will support the creation of models for a number of different nuclear facilities and sites, in close consultation with IAEA experts and inspectors. The 3D models will provide tangible benefits in terms of knowledge management and implementation of safeguards. This will include the training/familiarization of inspectors who may have limited experience of the specific processes at the selected critical nuclear facilities and implementation of safeguards therein. The activity within this task is highly specialised, requiring significant technical knowledge and capabilities with advanced state-of-the-art 3D modelling technology. The proposed contractor must have experience of developing 3D models and resources similar to the facilities of interest. In addition, models must have the capability of being integrated with relevant IAEA Safeguards IT architecture, standards, policies and procedures. The proposed contractor must demonstrable experience of working with the nuclear sector. The specific target for the research is considered sensitive and, therefore suppliers must meet the minimum security requirements to handle, OFFICIAL SENSITIVE information.

Planning Information

This market engagement seeks supplier feedback to inform the procurement and programme of work. Interested parties who have demonstrable experience to deliver the scope of work should contact procurement@uknnl.com before 17:00 pm on Wednesday 29th October 2025, to receive a Request for Information Questionnaire (RFI).

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05cd07
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065480-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

71356000 - Technical services

72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services

98113000 - Services furnished by specialist organisations

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED
Contact Name
Gillian Hale
Contact Email
procurement@uknnl.com
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
WARRINGTON
Postcode
WA3 6AE
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
TLD61 Warrington

Local Authority
Warrington
Electoral Ward
Birchwood
Westminster Constituency
Warrington North

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05cd07-2025-10-15T10:28:37+01:00",
    "date": "2025-10-15T10:28:37+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05cd07",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-03857752",
            "name": "UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "03857752"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PVXT-8784-YGNV"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Chadwick House Warrington Road",
                "locality": "Warrington",
                "postalCode": "WA3 6AE",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKD61"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Gillian Hale",
                "email": "procurement@uknnl.com"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.uknnl.com",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-COH-03857752",
        "name": "UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "This market engagement seeks supplier feedback to inform the procurement and programme of work. Interested parties who have demonstrable experience to deliver the scope of work should contact procurement@uknnl.com before 17:00 pm on Wednesday 29th October 2025, to receive a Request for Information Questionnaire (RFI).",
                "dueDate": "2025-10-29T23:59:59Z",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "065480-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065480-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-10-15T10:28:37+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "NNLC692.1 3D",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Modelling of Critical Nuclear Facilities",
        "description": "Development of 3D Models for Nuclear Facilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) maintains its ability to verify the nuclear programmes of non-nuclear weapon State (NNWS), including the capability to rapidly respond to any significant changes required for the implementation of safeguards-related activities in the field. As one part of its longer-term preparedness activities to date, the Department of Safeguards has already been able to acquire and demonstrate a limited technical capability in using Virtual Reality (VR) navigation inside real-world 3D scans, including the ability to attach relevant geobased data sources to 2D optical imagery. Lessons learned from previous VR projects have already been applied in the development of the current capability. However, to be more effective in its ability to rapidly respond to potentially significant changes in the short term, there is a need for the Department of Safeguards to develop 3D models of a number of very specific critical facilities. As part of its long term preparedness activities, the Department of Safeguards needs to develop the ability to develop and use 3D and Virtual Reality (VR) models for training, analysis and knowledge management. This task will support the creation of models for a number of different nuclear facilities and sites, in close consultation with IAEA experts and inspectors. The 3D models will provide tangible benefits in terms of knowledge management and implementation of safeguards. This will include the training/familiarization of inspectors who may have limited experience of the specific processes at the selected critical nuclear facilities and implementation of safeguards therein. The activity within this task is highly specialised, requiring significant technical knowledge and capabilities with advanced state-of-the-art 3D modelling technology. The proposed contractor must have experience of developing 3D models and resources similar to the facilities of interest. In addition, models must have the capability of being integrated with relevant IAEA Safeguards IT architecture, standards, policies and procedures. The proposed contractor must demonstrable experience of working with the nuclear sector. The specific target for the research is considered sensitive and, therefore suppliers must meet the minimum security requirements to handle, OFFICIAL SENSITIVE information.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71356000",
                        "description": "Technical services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "72200000",
                        "description": "Software programming and consultancy services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "98113000",
                        "description": "Services furnished by specialist organisations"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKD61",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 480000,
            "amount": 400000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2029-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2031-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}