Award

Strategic Design Partner to Support Deconversion - Framework Agreement

UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

25 Mar 2026 at 16:38

Award

27 Feb 2026 at 10:27

Tender

07 Nov 2025 at 15:16

Planning

24 Oct 2025 at 08:42

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for a Strategic Design Partner to support High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) Deconversion has been initiated by the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory Limited (UKNNL), a public authority operating as part of the sub-central government. Located in Warrington, UKNNL is seeking to establish a closed framework agreement with a single supplier. The procurement follows a structured methodology beginning with planning and progressing through tender and award stages. Awarding North West Projects Ltd, operating as Actemium Design UK, the contract, the framework involves four distinct stages covering design and support tasks. The procurement stage is complete as of March 2026, with the total contract value reaching £3,500,000, scheduled to span from March 2026 to March 2030. The completed award notice was published on 25th March 2026. This comprises services in the engineering design domain, primarily targeted in the UK regions of Warrington and Chorley.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for firms within the engineering design sector to engage in an extensive collaborative project with the UKNNL. It is designed for businesses capable of providing comprehensive design services, including preliminary to detailed design support during manufacturing. The procurement method utilised a competitive flexible procedure under a closed framework agreement, allowing for a direct award to a proficient supplier with demonstrated expertise. Large companies with a focus on nuclear engineering design and those capable of meeting high regulatory compliance in safety and technical standards should find this partnership beneficial for business growth. The project also opens pathways for engaging in future call-offs, contingent on the supplier's performance, providing an ongoing opportunity for industry players capable of sustaining high service delivery standards.

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Notice Title

Strategic Design Partner to Support Deconversion - Framework Agreement

Notice Description

This Contract Award Notice confirms the appointment by UKNNL of a single supplier framework agreement to undertake the role of "Strategic Design Partner" to support UKNNL with HALEU Deconversion. The Strategic Design Partner (SDP) Framework is intended to comprise of four stages, these are: Stage 1: Defining Period Stage 2: Preliminary Design Stage 3: Detailed Design Stage 4: Design Support During Manufacture UKNNL will enter into a new call-off for each stage of work, UKNNL reserves the right to not award future call-offs and to amend the call-off schedule for alternative HALEU Deconversion related design work. UKNNL will continually assess Key Performance Indicators to inform decision making surrounding future call-offs.

Planning Information

UKNNL will be hosting a Market Engagement Session on MS Teams on Thursday 6th November from 11:00-12:00. Suppliers can sign-up to attend this market engagement/briefing session by emailing Emma.Kirkpatrick@uknnl.com and Sarah.Walton@uknnl.com confirming the names and email addresses of attendees. To engage with UKNNL suppliers must: 1. Sign-up to the engagement session 2. Attend the session 3. Provide feedback/ ask questions UKNNL wishes to confirm appetite in the market for this contract and ensure the contracting model is attractive to potential suppliers. If you would like to pre submit questions ahead of the call please email these to Emma.kirkpatrick@uknnl.com and Sarah.walton@uknnl.com . We plan to share the attendees list of the call with all attendees. If you do not wish for your details to be shared, please notify us when registering and we will remove your information from the list before distributing.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d301
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027524-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

71320000 - Engineering design services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£3,500,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£3,500,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£3,500,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
16 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
7 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
27 Feb 20261 months ago
Contract Period
16 Mar 2026 - 15 Mar 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED
Additional Buyers

UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY

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 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
TLD North West (England), TLD45 Mid Lancashire

Local Authority
Warrington
Electoral Ward
Birchwood
Westminster Constituency
Warrington North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NORTH WEST PROJECTS LTD T/A ACTEMIUM DESIGN

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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