- Scope of the procurement
- Lot 1. Laboratory and field techniques and tools for the collection of hydrogeochemical/hydrogeological geomicrobiological data
- Lot 2. Conceptual understanding and numerical representation – using hydrogeological and geochemical information to understand a site / setting, including the past and possible future evolution.
- Lot 3. Provision of expert advice, including peer review, support for hydrogeological workflow development and technical integration.
Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Radioactive Waste Management
Building 329, Thomson Avenue
Didcot
OX11 0GD
Contact
James Gatawa
Telephone
+44 1925802823
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
National registration number
8920190
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://sharedsystems.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/3510
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://sharedsystems.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=13886&B=SELLAFIELD
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://sharedsystems.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=13886&B=SELLAFIELD
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Nuclear Decommissioning
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Groundwater Capability Framework
Reference number
RWM433
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 90733700 - Groundwater pollution monitoring or control services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This tender relates to the establishment of a groundwater capability framework (hereafter ‘the framework’).It is intended for advancement of the Scientific and Technology Readiness Levels (SRL/TRL) of groundwater tools, techniques and workflows commensurate with the needs of the GDF programme.
There are 3 Lots under this framework. namely:
• Lot 1: Laboratory and field techniques and tools for the collection of hydrogeochemical/hydrogeological geomicrobiological data (e.g. laboratory based geochemical, hydrogeological and mineralogical studies, extending to tool validation in the field).
• Lot 2: Conceptual understanding and numerical representation – using hydrogeological and geochemical information to understand a site / setting, including the past and possible future evolution. This may include groundwater model rehearsals .
• Lot 3: Provision of expert advice, including peer review, support for hydrogeological workflow development and technical integration.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £4,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
The contracting authority reserves the right to award contracts combining the following lots or groups of lots:
The contracting authority reserves the right to award contracts combining the following lots or groups of lots:
Lot 1,
Lot 2,
Lot 3
Bidders have the opportunity to submit bids for all or any combination of lots.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Laboratory and field techniques and tools for the collection of hydrogeochemical/hydrogeological geomicrobiological data
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 71900000 - Laboratory services
- 90733700 - Groundwater pollution monitoring or control services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Developing and maintaining specialist tools and techniques for collection of groundwater samples and in-situ and laboratory analysis of groundwaters. The nature of tasks may include the following:
i. Recovery of pore waters from highly consolidated clays: understanding of existing, and potential development of alternative, approaches to recover porewater from diffusive / low permeability materials, both in the field and laboratory
ii. Delivery of specialist analysis for the interpretation of groundwater age / residence time for the full range of rock types which may be expected along the groundwater flow path. This will include high transmissivity, near-surface systems as well as deep, ancient waters. Specifically, stable and/or radioactive isotope analysis and reactive / nonreactive tracers is expected (e.g. 4He, 81Kr, 36Cl, 234U/238U and 14C)
iii. Advancing analytical approaches to reduce sample volume requirements, and/or to enhance speed of testing, understanding options for QA/QC / data reporting and control of analytical data
iv. Advancing tools for geomicrobiological characterisation
v. Interpretation and evaluation of analytical data
vi. Experimental work to support definition of reference groundwaters (e.g. water-rock-
EBS interaction studies) vii. Development / contribution to laboratory and field manuals, for example for definition of the equipment needs and sampling approaches and techniques
viii. Advanced core analysis techniques for hydro-geological/ -geochemical parameterisation
ix. Testing of existing specialist down hole tools for shallow and deep groundwater testing appropriate for GDF programme, such as PFL / Chemmac3 for example*
x. Development of new down-hole techniques for accurate determination of unstable parameters such as Eh, dissolved oxygen and sulphide. This may involve partnership working for the innovation and development of new tools and techniques to support surface-based and intrusive site investigations
xi. Development of novel remote sensing techniques to gather regional hydrogeological information
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £1,700,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
Option for an extension for a period of 1 year.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Conceptual understanding and numerical representation – using hydrogeological and geochemical information to understand a site / setting, including the past and possible future evolution.
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 90733700 - Groundwater pollution monitoring or control services
- 72242000 - Design-modelling services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Lot 2 comprises desk-based activities, developing conceptual and numerical models to build understanding of regional and local hydrogeological systems, and how these will evolve following disturbance by GDF construction, during post closure evolution and as a result of external impacts such as future climate change. The nature of tasks may include the following:
i. Gathering and QA/QC checks of historical data / ‘dummy’ data, for the development of conceptual hydrogeological models.
ii. Development of conceptual hydrogeological models for candidate sites based mainly on pre-existing desk study and, when relevant, new seismic data, to support development of the site descriptive models (SDMs).
iii. Development of simple groundwater flow models based upon site conceptualisation, considering variable density flow, in order to support early performance assessments
iv. Coupled-process modelling to represent the interaction between components of the system and to understand impacts on regional flow (including rock structure, stresses and mechanical properties, hydrology, thermal gradients, geochemistry (including viscosity and the movement of dense brines), petrology, mineralogy and geomicrobiology
v. Reactive transport modelling
vi. Predictive (hind/fore-cast) modelling to provide understanding of system evolution, including verification, validation, sensitivity testing and code comparison exercises
vii. Consideration of methods for modelling strongly heterolithic, dual-porosoity sedimentary media with low (diffusive) matrix permeability and layer-bound fracture systems.
Effective uncertainty management, quantification and communication will be a crucial element of all modelling activities, please refer to RWM (2017)
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £1,900,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
Option for an extension for a period of 1 year
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Provision of expert advice, including peer review, support for hydrogeological workflow development and technical integration.
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 90733700 - Groundwater pollution monitoring or control services
- 71351200 - Geological and geophysical consultancy services
- 71621000 - Technical analysis or consultancy services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
United kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Lot 3 provides a call-off resource to support RWM colleagues with the development of internal and external workflows, processes and technical advice / support relating to groundwater relevant to the GDF programme. This is a strategic level lot which will be called upon at pressure points in the GDF, the nature of tasks may include the following:
- State of knowledge reviews
- Participation in RWM strategic governance such as the Groundwater Review Group
- Facilitation and curation of workshops, for example for the elicitation of requirements
- Expert review of internal documents, such as technical notes, reports and specifications
- Peer review of supply chain led technical work, as required for publication to RWM’s bibliography
The number of suppliers qualifying for Lot 3 will not be limited.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £400,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
Option for an extension for aperiod of 1 year
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions
Bidders will be assessed in accordance with Section 5 of the 2015 Public Contract Regulations (implementing the Directive) on the basis of information provided in response to an Invitation to Tender (“ITT”).
Registering for access.
This procurement will be managed electronically via the CTM eSourcing portal. This will be the primary route for sharing all information and communicating with bidders.
If not alreadt registered, you will first need to register your organisation on the portal.
To register, you will need to:
1. Go to the URL: https://
sharedsystems.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=12954&B=SELLAFIELD
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
Framework agreement with several operators
Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement: 250
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2021/S 000-005841
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Originally published as:
Date
2 September 2021
Local time
1:30pm
Changed to:
Date
16 September 2021
Local time
1:30pm
See the change notice.
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Tender must be valid until: 3 December 2021
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
2 September 2021
Local time
1:30pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
London
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
London
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
Any appeals should be promptly brought to the attention of the contact specified in Section I above, and will be dealt with in accordance with the requirements of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Any appeals must be brought within the timescales specified by the applicable law, including without limitation, the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. In accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the Contracting Authority will also incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period from the date information on award of contract is communicated to tenderers.
six.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
Radioactive Waste Management Ltd
Didcot
Country
United Kingdom