Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED
Havelock Road
Workington
CA14 3YQ
Contact
Stacey O'Driscoll
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKD11 - West Cumbria
Companies House
03857752
Internet address(es)
Main 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
Complete autonomous system for the secure transportation of nuclear material
Reference number
GC_837
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
National Nuclear Laboratory ("NNL") intends to award a contract to IDV Robotics who will further develop the concept for a complete autonomous system for the secure transportation of nuclear material across the Sellafield site as part of the Gamechangers Innovation Programme.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £249,771
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The funding for this Proof of Concept Gamechangers is to enable further development of the Autonomous transportation of nuclear materials concept and technology further.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Should additional funding become available to further develop this scope of work then the potential to extend is available.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated without a prior call for competition
- The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights
Explanation:
National Nuclear Laboratory ("NNL") intends to award a contract to IDV Robotics who will further develop the concept for a complete autonomous system for the secure transportation of nuclear material across the Sellafield site as part of the Gamechangers Innovation Programme. IDV Robotics has been developing autonomous systems for Defence for almost 20 years and were selected through a response to a Gamechangers Challenge Statement which sought applications for feasibility funding. This was advertised in an Early Engagement Notice via Contracts Finder (ref: GC25) on 23rd October 2024(Autonomous transportation of nuclear materials - Contracts Finder) and published via https://www.gamechangers.technology/challenge/Autonomous_Transportation_of_Nuclear_Materials
Following all supplier applications for feasibility funding for the above project, IDV Robotics were selected as a successful supplier by the funders (Sellafield Ltd). An initial £10,000 of feasibility funding was provided in January 2024, which supported IDV Robotics to:
• Create a Business Case for the development of a complete Concept Demonstrator
• Generate a Project Risk Register
• Generate of a Project Plan for the development of a Concept Demonstrator including milestones and funding requirements
The output of this feasibility study was then further evaluated by Sellafield Ltd and IDV Robotics have been selected for additional funding for the Proof-of-Concept phase of this project, which will enable them to further develop this concept and technology further. This additional funding to support technology development is due to be awarded following the expiry of this VEAT notice.
Gamechangers is an innovation programme which finds solutions for complex nuclear industry challenges and allows the supplier to retain ownership of the Intellectual Property throughout the advancement of technology readiness level. They accept applications and work with all sizes and across all sectors to identify and develop the most promising of technology. Suppliers who have an idea which might be of interest, please follow the below link to the Gamechangers Technology challenge website for further information or to explore Challenges that may be of interest.
Delivering innovation in the nuclear industry (https://www.gamechangers.technology)
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
GC_837
Title
Transportation of Nuclear Materials
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
4 July 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
IDV Robotics LTD
Suite 1.03, Technology Centre Nw05 Mira Technology Park, Watling Street,
Nuneaton, Warwickshire,
CV10 0TU
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKG1 - Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire
Companies House
14257163
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £249,771
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The Royal Courts of Justice
The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom