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Disposal System Science & Technology Framework

Nuclear Waste Services

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

02 Nov 2026 at 15:12

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

06 Aug 2026 at 14:19

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Nuclear Waste Services Limited plans to procure a framework for professional research and development services in nuclear waste disposal science and technology. The work is to assess the performance and deployment options of engineered barrier system components relevant to the UK, and how candidate materials and their configurations evolve under repository conditions. The services include research and experimental development and research laboratory work. The planned scope concerns the technical evidence needed to assess engineered barriers for a repository. Delivery is across the United Kingdom.

This procurement is at the planning stage: there is an intention to buy, but no invitation to tender. The buyer now says the framework will not proceed as originally envisaged and is reviewing its requirements, including a wider scope and a different procurement vehicle. Before that change, it expected an open procedure and a framework agreement. The published estimate was £13.7 million excluding VAT (£16.44 million including VAT). The single planned lot had a contract period expected to run from September 2027 to September 2035, with a possible extension to August 2037. The buyer had anticipated publishing the next notice in November 2026; that timing predates the stated review and should not be treated as a bid deadline.

The work is likely to suit organisations with specialist capability in nuclear waste research and development, repository science, engineered barrier systems and laboratory testing. Relevant expertise includes assessing material performance and deployment options, and understanding how candidate materials and configurations behave under repository conditions. The buyer marked the planned lot as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises, so smaller suppliers may be relevant alongside larger research or technical-services providers. The framework was intended to provide comprehensive professional services, suggesting a need for depth across assessment and materials research. Suppliers can use the planning period to consider their technical offer and potential partnerships, while recognising that the buyer is reviewing the scope and procurement approach.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Disposal System Science & Technology Framework

Notice Description

Please note that as a Research & Development framework, this will be EXEMPT under Paragraph 22 of Schedule 2 to the Procurement Act 2023. The purpose of this notice is to make the market aware of this upcoming procurement, which is currently due for tender release in November 2026. This framework aims to provide comprehensive professional services support for the assessment of performance and deployment options for UK-relevant engineered barrier system components and the evolution of candidate material(s) and their configurations under repository conditions.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ddeb
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/103832-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

73111000 - Research laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£13,700,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Nov 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
27 Nov 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Sep 2027 - 1 Sep 2035 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
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
MOOR ROW
Postcode
CA24 3HU
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
Egremont North and St Bees
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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