Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Environment Agency
Horizon House
Bristol
BS1 5AH
network.procurement@defra.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 2072385921
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at
https://defra.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Environment
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Framework for a Radioactive Waste Quality Checking Service
Reference number
Project_35301
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Environment Agency is looking to issue a tender for the provision of Waste Quality Checking Services for Radioactive Wastes. The contract will provide the Environment Agency and other bodies, with the capability to undertake, independent verification and assurance activities of lower activity radioactive wastes prior to their treatment or disposal. This checking will take place at sites throughout England, Wales and Scotland. Such radioactive wastes predominantly comprise Low Level Radioactive Waste but may also include short-lived Intermediate Level Wastes that form part of radioactive waste consignments appropriate for management in near-surface environments. The contract will also be open for use by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA),Defra and its associated bodies.
The service provision should be suitable to give assurance to the Environment Agencies' regulatory staff that radioactive wastes originating from nuclear sites have been characterised and consigned appropriately. The assurance service will be used to support regulatory activities related to compliance with the relevant radioactive substances activity permissions (e.g. permits or authorisations). Work would be targeted on a risk basis, to include consideration of new treatment and disposal routes, and seeking to check radioactive wastes arising from across all nuclear sites over a given period. In addition the work may include checking of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) wastes being received for treatment or disposal at permitted sites.
Assurance activities will include: in-situ monitoring of individual items, drums or ISO containers of waste to assess the radioactivity content; seizing items of radioactive waste and drums (small quantities) for independent analysis for radioactivity (including transport to and from analytical facilities); auditing site operators' procedures and operations for the consignment or receipt of radioactive wastes for treatment and disposal; audit and review the assurance approaches established by waste consignees', including the Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR) operator, relating to any radioactive waste management services they obtain under contract; storing and utilising existing reference materials (including drums and packages) for testing of site operators' own monitoring systems and, potentially, the design and creation of new reference materials.
The Supplier may also be called up on to provide technical advice, training and represent the Environment Agency at relevant meetings - nationally and internationally.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Maximum number of lots that may be awarded to one tenderer: 1
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Environment Agency is looking to issue a tender for the provision of Waste Quality Checking Services for Radioactive Wastes. The contract will provide the Environment Agency and other bodies, with the capability to undertake, independent verification and assurance activities of lower activity radioactive wastes prior to their treatment or disposal. This checking will take place at sites throughout England, Wales and Scotland. Such radioactive wastes predominantly comprise Low Level Radioactive Waste but may also include short-lived Intermediate Level Wastes that form part of radioactive waste consignments appropriate for management in near-surface environments. The contract will also be open for use by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA),Defra and its associated bodies.
The service provision should be suitable to give assurance to the Environment Agencies' regulatory staff that radioactive wastes originating from nuclear sites have been characterised and consigned appropriately. The assurance service will be used to support regulatory activities related to compliance with the relevant radioactive substances activity permissions (e.g. permits or authorisations). Work would be targeted on a risk basis, to include consideration of new treatment and disposal routes, and seeking to check radioactive wastes arising from across all nuclear sites over a given period. In addition the work may include checking of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) wastes being received for treatment or disposal at permitted sites.
Assurance activities will include: in-situ monitoring of individual items, drums or ISO containers of waste to assess the radioactivity content; seizing items of radioactive waste and drums (small quantities) for independent analysis for radioactivity (including transport to and from analytical facilities); auditing site operators' procedures and operations for the consignment or receipt of radioactive wastes for treatment and disposal; audit and review the assurance approaches established by waste consignees', including the Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR) operator, relating to any radioactive waste management services they obtain under contract; storing and utilising existing reference materials (including drums and packages) for testing of site operators' own monitoring systems and, potentially, the design and creation of new reference materials.
The Supplier may also be called up on to provide technical advice, training and represent the Environment Agency at relevant meetings - nationally and internationally.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
4 April 2022
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
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
The requirement is for a single supplier to provide services under this framework. The framework is intended to be available for use by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA),Defra and its associated bodies.