---
title: "Autonomous Transport System"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04854e"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04854e"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04854e.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04854e.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED"
published: "2024-07-29"
---

# Autonomous Transport System

Buyer: NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04854e

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## Summary

The National Nuclear Laboratory Limited (NNL) has completed the procurement process for the development of an Autonomous Transport System (ATS), awarding a contract to Digital Concepts Engineering Ltd under the "Research and experimental development services" category. This initiative, classified as services, is part of the Gamechangers Innovation Programme, aimed at facilitating the daily transport of packages across the Sellafield site. The contract, valued at £207,312, was signed on 29th July 2024, following a direct negotiation without prior publication, justified by the exclusive rights held by Digital Concepts Engineering Ltd. NNL, located in Risley, UK, oversees this project, ensuring the efficient and secure transportation of waste and products, meeting operational demands and safety standards.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specializing in autonomous and transport technologies, particularly those with innovative solutions for the nuclear industry. Companies well-suited for such projects include those experienced in developing and managing cutting-edge transport systems and those that excel in research and development services. By participating in such endeavours, businesses can leverage collaboration with prominent entities like NNL, expanding their market presence and contributing to advancements in autonomous transport technologies within the nuclear sector. Suppliers interested in future opportunities can explore the Gamechangers Technology challenge for possible engagements and innovation funding.

## Notice

National Nuclear Laboratory ("NNL") intends to award a contract to Digital Concepts Engineering Ltd who will further develop the concept for an Autonomous Transport System (DCE ATS) to facilitate daily package journeys across the Sellafield site from legacy stores to new long-term storage facilities.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The aim of this proof of concept project is to develope a safe, secure, autonomous transport of waste and product packages. The impact of this technology is to reduce reliance on driver and vehicle availability, reduce planning time, and enhance operational efficiency to ensure that a high volume of packages can be transported over an extended duration.

### Procurement Information

National Nuclear Laboratory ("NNL") intends to award a contract to Digital Concepts Engineering Ltd who will further develop the concept for an Autonomous Transport System (DCE ATS) to facilitate daily package journeys across the Sellafield site from legacy stores to new long-term storage facilities, as part of the Gamechangers Innovation Programme. Digital Concepts Engineering Ltd has been developing the technology for safe, secure, autonomous transport of waste and product packages and were selected through a response to a Gamechangers Challenge Statement which sought applications for feasibility funding. This was advertised in an Early Engagement Notice via Contracts Finder on 23rd October 2023 (https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/bc6a4dd3-e366-4aca-8124-1ec9d7d7b011?origin=SearchResults&p=1) and published via (https://www.gamechangers.technology/challenge/Autonomous_Transportation_of_Nuclear_Materials) Following all supplier applications for feasibility funding for the above project, Digital Concepts Engineering Ltd were selected as a successful supplier by the funders (Sellafield Ltd). An initial PS10,000 of feasibility funding was provided in January 2024, which supported Digital Concepts Engineering Ltd to: * Create a Business Case for * Generate of a Project Plan for * milestones and funding requirements The output of this feasibility study was then further evaluated by Sellafield Ltd and Digital Concept Engineering Ltd have been selected for additional funding for the Proof-of-Concept phase of this project, which will enable them to further develop this concept and technology further. This additional funding to support technology development is due to be awarded following the expiry of this VEAT notice. Gamechangers is an innovation programme which finds solutions for complex nuclear industry challenges and allows the supplier to retain ownership of the Intellectual Property throughout the advancement of technology readiness level. They accept applications and work with all sizes and across all sectors to identify and develop the most promising of technology. Suppliers who have an idea which might be of interest, please follow the below link to the Gamechangers Technology challenge website for further information or to explore Challenges that may be of interest. Delivering innovation in the nuclear industry (https://www.gamechangers.technology/)

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023532-2024 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Negotiated without publication of a contract notice |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 29 Jul 2024 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 28 Jul 2024 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £207,312 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED |
| Locality | RISLEY |
| Post town | Warrington |
| Postcode | WA3 6AE |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD6 Cheshire |
| ITL 3 | TLD61 Warrington |
| Local authority | Warrington |
| Electoral ward | Birchwood |
| Westminster constituency | Warrington North |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | DIGITAL CONCEPTS ENGINEERING |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73100000 - Research and experimental development services

## Release History

- 29 Jul 2024 at 09:16 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023532-2024

## Notice URLs

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/bc6a4dd3-e366-4aca-8124-1ec9d7d7b011?origin=SearchResults&p=1
- https://www.gamechangers.technology/
- https://www.gamechangers.technology/challenge/Autonomous_Transportation_of_Nuclear_Materials
- https://www.nnl.co.uk/

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04854e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04854e.json.