Planning

VENOM Project Provision of technologies for providing intense, variable-energy neutron sources and isotopic assay of transmutated samples.

  • AWE PLC

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2023/S 000-021359

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-03e4e8

Published 24 July 2023, 4:32pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

AWE PLC

Aldermaston

READING

RG74PR

Email

CapitalSCM@awe.co.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKJ11 - Berkshire

Justification for not providing organisation identifier

Not on any register

Internet address(es)

Main address

HTTPS://WWW.AWE.CO.UK

Buyer's address

HTTPS://WWW.AWE.CO.UK

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

Defence


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

VENOM Project Provision of technologies for providing intense, variable-energy neutron sources and isotopic assay of transmutated samples.

Reference number

50000235

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 31643000 - Particle accelerators

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

AWE Plc ("AWE") is seeking to work with a vendor(s) for Provision of technologies for providing intense, variable-energy neutron sources and isotopic assay of trans mutated. This notice is for market engagement only and is not a call for competition.

You can find out more information about AWE here:

https://www.awe.co.uk/

AWE - Atomic Weapons Establishment

AWE is a high performing, streamlined business delivering extraordinary products

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 38433100 - Mass spectrometer

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ - South East (England)
Main site or place of performance

MoD Aldermaston

Reading

Berkshire

RG7 4PR

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

AWE Plc is seeking to work with a vendor or vendors for:

1. Purchase and or development of equipment and technologies to generate a high-intensity ~14 MeV neutron source

2. Purchase and or development of a variable energy, intense neutron source

3. Purchase and or development of equipment and technologies to diagnose generated neutron and Gamma fields

4. Purchase and development of an accelerated mass

spectrometer for the analysis of sample isotopic ratios

5. Purchase and development of equipment to support remote operations in highly radioactive environments

b. Description

iii. Place of performance:

UK - United Kingdom

AWE Aldermaston RG7 4PR

iv. Description of procurement:

AWE proposes to source the following:

1. An Intense (~5E13 n/cm^2/s on sample) 14.1 MeV neutron source

2. A variable energy (0.5 - 25 MeV range), intense (~5E10 n/cm^2/s on sample) neutron source

two.2.14) Additional information

The nature of this PIN is such that AWE intends to operate restrictions within the relevant procurement regulations in order to protect essential national security interests. If an economic operator has connections with any hostile entity or foreign states which are deemed by AWE to pose a risk to the UK's national security interests or is otherwise considered not to possess the reliability necessary to exclude risks to the security of the United Kingdom, AWE reserves its right to exclude them from this exercise.

In issuing this PIN and engaging with the market, the AWE is not committing to conduct any procurement in relation to this Programme. Equally non-participation in this Market Engagement will not be taken into account in any future procurement activities and will not preclude any organisation from submitting a tender in any future competitions.

Note: The nature of this contract is such that the award will be subject to supplier's passing AWE's security requirements as dictated by its site licenses.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

25 July 2023


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: No


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

Please note that the following steps to this PIN may be an NDA followed by pre- market engagement.

If you are interested in this PIN, please find the proforma to complete and return on Contracts Finder using the same reference number.

If you require AWE to send the proforma, please e-mail the address listed.

Suppliers have 30 working days to respond.