Scope
Description
An early market engagement exercise was undertaken by Great British Nuclear (GBN), which is aiming to procure up to two Owner's Engineers (OE) as part of its Small Modular Reactor (SMR) programme. The OE(s) will be procured using the Competitive Flexible Procedure outlined in the Procurement Act 2023 (the Act). The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) Notice is to provide information to the market on the market engagement activities GBN has carried out in connection with its intention to procure up to two OEs. The Act permits contracting authorities to publish a PME Notice to notify potential suppliers that PME activities have taken place.
The OE will provide essential independent assurance to the Intelligent Customer and Intelligent Client for the relevant SMR project. This will support the deployment of first-of-a-kind nuclear technology in the UK and facilitate GBN's goal of reaching a Final Investment Decision(s) for up to two SMR projects. In particular, the OE will act as a 'client friend' to the Intelligent Customer and Intelligent Client and provide competent resource to undertake specification, oversight, audit, review and advice for decisions relating to design, scope, budget, risk, delivery and contract compliance. It will also play the role of subject matter expert to deliver independent technical and delivery Line of Defence 2 assurance on major design and build contracts.
The total contract value of £600m stated in this PME Notice assumes that GBN will award two OE contracts (one for each planned SMR project), each with a total contract value of up to £300m. The actual value will depend on a number of factors. GBN reserves the right not to proceed with two SMR projects.
Total value (estimated)
- £600,000,000 excluding VAT
- £720,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 26 March 2026 to 26 March 2040
- 14 years, 1 day
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 71300000 - Engineering services
- 71500000 - Construction-related services
- 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
- 79417000 - Safety consultancy services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
24 January 2025
The engagement was carried out before this notice was published.
Engagement process description
GBN has already conducted an early market engagement exercise with suppliers to test GBN's proposed approach against market experience from other large infrastructure projects and use industry knowledge to assist GBN in refining its proposed approach. GBN engaged with suppliers by providing an information pack which outlined GBN's proposed delivery model and gave further context on the role of the OE within this model. The pack stated that from the commencement of the contract, any prospective OE would need to commit to providing the technical and programme capabilities stated in the requirements.
Within the information pack provided to suppliers, GBN included a questionnaire for suppliers to complete in order to help GBN refine its proposed approach to the delivery of the OE requirement. Suppliers returned their completed questionnaires electronically to GBN. The questionnaire covered the role of the OE, GBN's contracting strategy, the number of OEs, alliancing, pricing, incentivisation, contract management, costing, liability and the potential to create joint ventures, consortia and special purpose vehicles, market capacity and conflicts of interest.
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Contracting authority
GREAT BRITISH NUCLEAR
- Companies House: 05027024
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRCJ-2655-YDML
Department For Energy Security & Net Zero
London
SW1A 2EG
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government