Award

Development of Wireless, long-term environmental monitoring of nuclear stores

  • NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED

F15: Voluntary ex ante transparency notice

Notice identifier: 2024/S 000-022957

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0483f9

Published 24 July 2024, 9:23am



Section one: Contracting authority/entity

one.1) Name and addresses

NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED

5th Floor Chadwick House

Risley

WA3 6AE

Contact

Emma Kirkpatrick

Email

Emma.Kirkpatrick@UKNNL.com

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKD61 - Warrington

Companies House

3857752

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.nnl.co.uk/

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

Development of Wireless, long-term environmental monitoring of nuclear stores

Reference number

GC-821

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 73100000 - Research and experimental development services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

National Nuclear Laboratory ("NNL") intends to award a contract to Sensor Driven Ltd who will further develop the concept of Wireless, long-term environmental monitoring of nuclear stores 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: £171,699.36

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The aim of this proof of concept project is to create and demonstrate key scientific components of a future environmental sensor for use in nuclear stores. The ultimate goal is to produce a sensor system that will last up to 30 years, monitoring temperature and corrosion indicators. Data will be wirelessly transmitted to operators, with an instant alert if levels exceed defined thresholds.

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below

  • The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations

Explanation:

National Nuclear Laboratory ("NNL") intends to award a contract to Sensor Driven Ltd who will further develop the concept of Wireless, long-term environmental monitoring of nuclear stores as part of the Gamechangers Innovation Programme. The aim of this proof of concept project is to create and demonstrate key scientific components of a future environmental sensor for use in nuclear stores. The ultimate goal is to produce a sensor system that will last up to 30 years, monitoring temperature and corrosion indicators. Data will be wirelessly transmitted to operators, with an instant alert if levels exceed defined thresholds.

Sensor Driven Ltd 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 on 29th November 2023 https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/79dcbeea-899a-4142-b812-4ad1ea06edb2?origin=SearchResults&p=1 published via https://www.gamechangers.technology/challenge/Wireless,_long-term_environmental_monitoring_of_nuclear_stores

Following all supplier applications for feasibility funding for the above project, Sensor Driven Ltd 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 Sensor Driven Ltd to:

• Create a Business Case

• Generate of a Project Plan of milestones and future funding requirements, and

• Create a Risk Register.

The output of this feasibility study was then further evaluated by Sellafield Ltd and Sensor Driven Ltd 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. 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

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract/concession

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

24 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

Sensor Driven Ltd

Bristol

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKK11 - Bristol, City of
Companies House

10864676

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: £171,699.36


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