--- title: "Construction and commission of modular rig" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-064afb" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-064afb" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064afb.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064afb.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED" published: "2026-02-09" --- # Construction and commission of modular rig Buyer: UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-064afb [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-064afb) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064afb.json) ## Summary The procurement process is currently at the Planning stage, initiated by the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory Limited (UKNNL), a sub-central government public authority. This procurement involves construction works in the form of a project titled "Construction and Commission of Modular Rig," specifically focused on the assembly and commissioning of a modular experimental rig. Located in Preston, Lancashire, UK, the project addresses the construction and installation services industry. Key milestones include a scheduled engagement due on 20 February 2026 for expressions of interest as part of a pre-tender market consultation to assess capabilities within the current market before moving to potential formal tendering processes. The anticipated site readiness is set for June 2026, with a project completion handover planned by September 2026. This tender presents a significant opportunity for contractors experienced in modular or multi-storey industrial construction, particularly those specialising in mechanical assembly, electrical, controls, and instrumentation. Suitably qualified small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with robust health, safety, and quality management systems are encouraged to partake, as their expertise is critical for ensuring the mechanical assembly, technical checks, and inactive commissioning of the facility. The successful completion of this project could position businesses for future growth by showcasing their capability in executing complex construction and installation projects within operational facilities, particularly those requiring coordination across multiple service interfaces such as gas, fluids, extraction, and electrical systems. ## Notice UKNNL is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced contractors to support the assembly, installation verification, and inactive commissioning of a new modular experimental rig at the Preston facility. The rig comprises a modular, three-storey structure incorporating multiple process and utility services. The appointed contractor will be responsible for mechanical assembly, installation checks, and inactive commissioning (without uranics) to enable active commissioning (with uranics) by others. 2. Scope of Work The contractor will be expected to undertake, as a minimum: Mechanical Assembly * Offloading, positioning, and installation of prefabricated rig modules * Mechanical assembly and integration of modules to form the complete structure * Installation of access platforms, supports, and ancillary equipment * Alignment, fixing, and structural integrity checks Interface & Service Readiness * Preparation and verification of interfaces for: o Gas services o Extraction/ventilation o Fluids o Electrical supplies * Coordination with service installation contractors * Ensuring connection points are accessible, correctly labelled, and compliant with drawings/specifications Electrical, Controls and Instrumentation: * Cross module connections * Final install * Connection to Pilot Plant electrical distribution network 1. Project Overview UKNNL is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced contractors to support the assembly, installation verification, and inactive commissioning of a new modular experimental rig at the Preston facility. The rig comprises a modular, three-storey structure incorporating multiple process and utility services. The appointed contractor will be responsible for mechanical assembly, installation checks, and inactive commissioning (without uranics) to enable active commissioning (with uranics) by others. ________________________________________ 2. Scope of Work The contractor will be expected to undertake, as a minimum: Mechanical Assembly * Offloading, positioning, and installation of prefabricated rig modules * Mechanical assembly and integration of modules to form the complete structure * Installation of access platforms, supports, and ancillary equipment * Alignment, fixing, and structural integrity checks Interface & Service Readiness * Preparation and verification of interfaces for: o Gas services o Extraction/ventilation o Fluids o Electrical supplies * Coordination with service installation contractors * Ensuring connection points are accessible, correctly labelled, and compliant with drawings/specifications Electrical, Controls and Instrumentation: * Cross module connections * Final install * Connection to Pilot Plant electrical distribution network Installation Verification * Completion of installation checks against drawings and specifications * QA/QC inspections and documentation * Identification and resolution of defects or non-conformances * As-built documentation and redlining Inactive Commissioning * Mechanical completion checks * Pressure/leak testing (where applicable) * Functional checks (non-energised / non-process) * Safety and compliance verification * Handover documentation and commissioning packs ________________________________________ 3. Contractor Requirements Interested parties should demonstrate: * Experience assembling modular or multi-storey industrial/process rigs or plant * Experience working with multi-disciplinary service interfaces (gas, fluids, extraction, electrical) * Commissioning and mechanical completion experience * Strong health, safety, and quality management systems to comply with CDM regulations * Ability to work within an operational facility environment * Relevant certifications and competencies ________________________________________ 4. Deliverables The appointed contractor will be expected to provide: * Method statements and risk assessments * Installation and commissioning plans * Inspection and test records * Mechanical completion dossiers * As-built documentation * Handover pack ________________________________________ 5. Programme (Indicative) * Site readiness: June 2026 * Assembly period: 3 months * Handover to active commissioning: September 2026 ### Planning Information This exercise is an Expression of interest and is part of a pre-tender market consultation, it does not constitute a formal procurement process. The purpose of this exercise is to assess the capabilities within current markets to delivery this service. Company Name :United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory Delivery address: Springfields, Salwick, Preston, Lancashire. PR4 0XJ Contact :Procurement@uknnl.com Opportunity to attend site for pre-tender engagement will be provided depending on EOI received ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011320-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Works | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 9 Feb 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 20 Feb 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 May 2026 - 30 Sep 2026 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED | | Locality | WARRINGTON | | 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 | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 45 - Construction work - 51 - Installation services (except software) ### Codes - 45000000 - Construction work - 51000000 - Installation services (except software) ## Release History - 9 Feb 2026 at 11:57 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011320-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011320-2026 9th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - http://www.uknnl.com - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## 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-064afb. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064afb.json.