--- title: "Open Framework for Nuclear Technical Services" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0694f1" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0694f1" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0694f1.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0694f1.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY" published: "2026-06-10" --- # Open Framework for Nuclear Technical Services Buyer: UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0694f1 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0694f1) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0694f1.json) ## Summary The United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) is launching an "Open Framework for Nuclear Technical Services" through an open tender process. The procurement, located in the UK, is in the tender stage with significant involvement required in engineering-related scientific and technical services, research consultancy, environmental quality control, and nuclear safety services. Interested suppliers should note that the framework will run from July 2026 to July 2030, with possible extensions up to 2034. Key dates include an enquiry period ending on 28th May 2026 and a tender submission deadline on 10th June 2026. The total procurement value aims up to £12 million, under the public undertaking category, using an open procedure to facilitate supplier engagement. This procurement presents opportunities for companies specializing in fields such as nuclear safety, environmental consulting, and engineering services to collaborate with a leading national facility. With avenues for mini-competitions and direct awards, firms with strong technical capabilities can position to secure roles through both fixed cost and cost-reimbursable contracts. SMEs are especially encouraged to apply, and the flexible framework allows for periodic re-openings, offering repeated chances to engage. Whether providing cutting-edge consultancy or fulfilling specific technical requirements, businesses equipped with the appropriate expertise and innovative solutions stand to significantly benefit and grow their portfolio by participating in this expansive programme. ## Notice UKNNL would like to invite suppliers to apply to join a new Open Framework to support with the supply of Nuclear Technical Services for the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory. A Pre-Market Engagement Notice reference: ocds-h6vhtk-066005 was published. The framework will run from July 2026 until July 2030 with the option to extend the framework by a further 4 years, until July 2034. The Framework will reopen once within the first 3-year period, and UKNNL will open it again at least once in the remaining 5-year contract term as required under Regulation 49 of the Procurement Act 2023. UKNNL may opt to open the framework for applications earlier than required, although not likely to be ever more than two times per year. Re-opening may be in relation to the framework agreement in its entirety or in relation to specific lots. Earlier re-opening could be triggered by a range of factors, which may include but are not limited to: * Supply & demand changes * Changes to requirements * Changes to framework lotting structure * Changes to rate card structures * Changes to qualitative assessment * Changes to framework management * Addition of new framework lots * Changes to demand, volumes, values and geographical coverage Suppliers are permitted to amend their technical and commercial response at each re-opening or can choose to allow their previous submission to be considered. The framework has the ability to award contracts through mini competition or direct award. Call-off contracts can be either fixed cost or cost reimbursable. Mini-Competition Where mini-competition is used, this is to be via the e-tender portal and must include all suppliers on the applicable lot. Each mini competition will be restricted to only one Lot. At mini-competition, suppliers can be asked to re-price and may offer discounted rates if they choose to, but may not charge more than the pricing which was submitted at the latest round of framework qualification. Should requirements at call-off not have been priced at point of framework creation, mini-competition should be held allowing all suppliers in the applicable Lot to price, accordingly, providing the additional requirement fits within the overall subject matter of the applicable Lot. Mini-competition criteria must not repeat qualification questions. The evaluation criteria must however comprise of the following, with weighting allowances adhered to: Evaluation Criteria Range Pricing 5-90% Technical 5-90% Social Value 5-90% Mini competitions can be ran using both the Open Procedure and the Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023, where the call-off is above threshold. Direct Award There are two direct award mechanisms under this Framework Agreement: * Direct award to the highest technically ranked supplier. * Direct award using the desktop calculator Direct award to the highest technically ranked suppliers Admittance to the framework is via a 100% technical evaluation. Framework suppliers will be ranked in order of their tendered technical score. Procurement Leads may direct award to the highest ranked supplier. If the highest ranked supplier is unable to provide the requested role UKNNL will award to the next highest ranked supplier who can provide that role. UKNNL is required to contract with the highest ranked supplier which can provide the required role, unless there is a preexisting relationship with any of the other suppliers on the applicable Framework, which would mean a Direct Award to that supplier is in the public interest. This could be because it offers value for money or a saving in terms of resource, or would cause disproportionate disruption to switch supplier. The decision made to award outside of the ranking structure will only be made where it delivers value for money and maximises public benefit. Direct award using the Desktop Calculator This direct award mechanism allows UKNNL to split the evaluation criteria between price and technical, based upon the requirements of each call-off. The desktop calculator will calculate the Most Advantageous Tenderer, taking into account each suppliers Technical Score, and the rate provided for the role being contracted for. Direct award can be used for both a single role and multiple role call-offs. The rates are assessed using the relative pricing equation: (lowest tendered rate / tenders' rate) x percentage weighting applied Where multiple rates on the desktop calculator are used, the rate in the equation will be the average of the rates selected. Once the calculator has ranked the suppliers, the highest ranked supplier should be contacted. Should the supplier be unable to fulfill the roles required, to the required clearance level or in the time-frame required, UKNNL will move down the rankings to the next highest ranked supplier who can fulfill the requirements. The weighting between Price and Technical will be dependent upon the specifics of each call-off but must be within the range set out below. Evaluation Criteria Range Pricing 5-95% Technical 5-95% ### Lot Information Lot 1 - Health Physics and Radiological Protection Advisor See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 1. Renewal: Open Framework, open for 4 years initially, extended for a further 4 years. Lot 2 - Human Factors See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 2. Renewal: Open Framework, open for 4 years initially, extended for a further 4 years. Lot 3 - Radiological & Chemotoxic See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 3. Renewal: Open Framework, open for 4 years initially, extended for a further 4 years. Lot 4 - Criticality Safety and Shielding See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 4. Renewal: Open Framework, open for 4 years initially, extended for a further 4 years. Lot 5 - Nuclear Safety Case See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 5. Renewal: Open Framework, open for 4 years initially, extended for a further 4 years. Lot 6 - Fire Safety (Nuclear and Conventional) See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 6. Renewal: Open Framework, open for 4 years initially, extended for a further 4 years. Lot 7 - Environmental See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 7. Renewal: Open Framework, open for 4 years initially, extended for a further 4 years. Lot 8 - Quality and Assurance See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 8. Renewal: Open Framework, open for 4 years initially, extended for a further 4 years. Lot 9 - Security See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 9. Renewal: Open Framework, open for 4 years initially, extended for a further 4 years. Lot 10 - Multi-Disciplinary Lot See Invitation to Tender for further information and Appendix A Specification for Lot 10. Renewal: Open Framework, open for 4 years initially, extended for a further 4 years. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054565-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 10 Jun 2026 | | Submission deadline | 17 Jun 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 27 Jul 2026 - 27 Jun 2030 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £10,000,000 | | Lots value | £10,000,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY | | 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 - 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services - 90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services - 98 - Other community, social and personal services ### Codes - 71350000 - Engineering-related scientific and technical services - 73210000 - Research consultancy services - 90714500 - Environmental quality control services - 98113100 - Nuclear safety services ## Release History - 10 Jun 2026 at 09:01 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054565-2026 - 8 May 2026 at 14:31 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042640-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054565-2026 10th June 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042640-2026 8th May 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=105255&TID100110394&B= - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/api/1.0/ocdsReleasePackages/ocds-h6vhtk-0694f1 - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - 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-0694f1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0694f1.json.