Planning

New Cutting Capability

  • NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-002101

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04d534

Published 22 January 2025, 8:46am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED

Central Laboratory

Seascale

CA201PG

Contact

Sarah Walton

Email

sarah.walton@uknnl.com

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKD11 - West Cumbria

Companies House

03857752

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://uknnl.com/

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Other activity

Nuclear


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

New Cutting Capability

Reference number

NNLC547

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 42000000 - Industrial machinery

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) intends to purchase three Diamond wire CNC cutting machines which will be situated within caves at UKNNL Windscale Laboratory to produce samples cut from zirconium, hafnium and zirconium composite plates.

As a review of the strategy is undertaken, we are conducting an early market engagement between the following dates: 3rd February & 7th March 2025. To register your interest and receive future updates for this tender, please send an email to Sarah.Walton@uknnl.com referencing NNLC547 NCC.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £800,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 42600000 - Machine tools
  • 42900000 - Miscellaneous general and special-purpose machinery

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKD - North West (England)
Main site or place of performance

Cumbria

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) intends to purchase three Diamond wire CNC cutting machines which will be situated within caves at UKNNL Windscale Laboratory to produce samples (ranging from 6 x 6 mm to 60 x 10mm) cut from irradiated austenitic stainless steels, zirconium and hafnium alloys and a zirconium/hafnium composite with ceramic inclusions. Plate nominal dimensions are 120 x 100mm (LxW) and ranging from 2-10 mm thick.

As the equipment is situated in-cave with no man access possible, any manual operations or maintenance, including the replacement of the diamond wire, will need to be carried out remotely using Master Slave Manipulators (MSM). The machines will be required to cut 500 to 1000 samples over a ten-year period.

The supplier will be required to supply:

• Remotely operated in-cave 2 axis CNC controlled diamond wire saw.

• Out of cave control system including software.

• Set of umbilical cables to connect the in-cave right to the out of cave control system.

The works contract is compiled of the following stages:

• Design stages (Preliminary and Detailed)

• Manufacturing and FAT Testing using inactive surrogate materials provided free issue by UKNNL.

As a review of the strategy is undertaken, we are conducting an early market engagement between the following dates: 3rd February & 7th March 2025. To register your interest and receive future updates for this tender, please send an email to Sarah.Walton@uknnl.com referencing NNLC547 NCC

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

4 August 2025


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes