Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED
5th Floor Chadwick House
Risley
WA3 6AE
Contact
NNL Procurement
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKD61 - Warrington
Companies House
3857752
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
Autonomous Transport System
Reference number
GC-820
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 Digital Concepts Engineering Ltd who will further develop the concept for an Autonomous Transport System (DCE ATS) to facilitate daily package journeys across the Sellafield site from legacy stores to new long-term storage facilities.
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: £207,312
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 develope a safe, secure, autonomous transport of waste and product packages. The impact of this technology is to reduce reliance on driver and vehicle availability, reduce planning time, and enhance operational efficiency to ensure that a high volume of packages can be transported over an extended duration.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
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 Digital Concepts Engineering Ltd who will further develop the concept for an Autonomous Transport System (DCE ATS) to facilitate daily package journeys across the Sellafield site from legacy stores to new long-term storage facilities, as part of the Gamechangers Innovation Programme.
Digital Concepts Engineering Ltd has been developing the technology for safe, secure, autonomous transport of waste and product packages 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 on 23rd October 2023 (https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/bc6a4dd3-e366-4aca-8124-1ec9d7d7b011?origin=SearchResults&p=1) and published via (https://www.gamechangers.technology/challenge/Autonomous_Transportation_of_Nuclear_Materials)
Following all supplier applications for feasibility funding for the above project, Digital Concepts Engineering 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 Digital Concepts Engineering Ltd to:
• Create a Business Case for
• Generate of a Project Plan for
• milestones and funding requirements
The output of this feasibility study was then further evaluated by Sellafield Ltd and Digital Concept Engineering 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.
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
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
29 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
Digital Concepts Engineering Limited
Hinckley
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKF22 - Leicestershire CC and Rutland
Companies House
04398993
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: £207,312
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