Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Nuclear Security Contract - UK5

Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

25 Sep 2026 at 14:03

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero is buying specialist nuclear security services from the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory. The work is intended to provide sustained access to nuclear security expertise and support priority government work on high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) security, maritime security, Security by Design, advanced nuclear technology analysis and international engagement. Services include research, modelling, technical advice, workshops and policy support. The work supports the department’s nuclear security programme and covers activity across the United Kingdom.

The procurement is complete and the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory was selected through a direct award. The award is valued at £300,000 excluding VAT (£360,000 including VAT). The contract period runs from 12 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, with award information published on 25 September 2026. The procurement was not divided into separate awarded lots. The department’s stated basis for the direct award is that the laboratory has exclusive rights, sensitive information, historic datasets, specialist facilities and expertise, with no reasonable alternative supplier. Evaluation was therefore based on the supplier’s unique ability to provide the required nuclear security services and assurance.

This award shows demand for specialist nuclear security advice and technical support across government priorities, including HALEU and maritime security, advanced nuclear technologies, Security by Design and international engagement. A credible competitor for a comparable future requirement would need demonstrable nuclear security expertise, the ability to work with sensitive information and access to relevant datasets or specialist facilities. Experience in nuclear fuels and materials, research and modelling, technical advice and policy support would be important, as would the ability to collaborate with government, academia and private-sector nuclear organisations. The buyer’s stated reliance on the National Nuclear Laboratory’s distinctive capabilities means a supplier would need to show a comparable depth of expertise and assurance, rather than general security consultancy alone.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Nuclear Security Contract - UK5

Notice Description

The Nuclear Security Contract will provide DESNZ with a sustained framework for accessing UKNNL's specialist nuclear security expertise until March 2029, supporting priority work across HALEU security, maritime security, Security by Design, advanced nuclear technology analysis, and international engagement through research, modelling, technical advice, workshops, and policy Support

Procurement Information

Direct award is recommended because UKNNL, as the UK's national nuclear laboratory, has unique access to sensitive information, historic datasets, specialist facilities, and nuclear security expertise essential to delivering this programme, including support across HALEU, maritime security, advanced nuclear technologies, and international engagement. The contracting authority (DESNZ) is relying on the following justification from schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023: 5: The following conditions are met in relation to the public Contract- (a) due to a particular supplier having intellectual property rights or other exclusive rights, only that supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and (b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works. 6: The following conditions are met in relation to the public contract-- (a) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and (b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works. Paragraph 5 and 6: This justification applies because UKNNL holds a unique position in the market, developed through decades of knowledge and expertise in this subject matter, including experience gained by UKNNL and predecessor HMG-sponsored organisations such as BNFL. This depth of expertise enables UKNNL to collaborate effectively with academia, private organisations in the nuclear sector, and central government departments. As HMG's Subject Matter Expert in nuclear fuels and materials, UKNNL is uniquely placed to provide DESNZ with advisory support on matters relating to the secure treatment and management of nuclear materials. There are no reasonable alternatives capable of providing the required services to HMG with the same level of assurance and confidence.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077aa7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/091026-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency 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

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

98113100 - Nuclear safety services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
12 Oct 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2HP
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

United Kingdon National Nuclear Laboratory

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.

Loading OCDS record...