Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name, addresses and contact point(s)
AWE PLC
Room 20,Building F161.2 Atomi, C Weapons Establishment
READING
RG74PR
Email(s)
Country
United Kingdom
Companies House
02763902
Internet address(es)
General address of the contracting authority/entity
Further information
Further information can be obtained from the above mentioned contact point(s)
one.2) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.3) Main activity
Defence
one.4) Contract award on behalf of other contracting authorities/entities
The contracting authority/entity is purchasing on behalf of other contracting authorities/entities:
No
Section two: Object
two.1) Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority/entity:
Sustainment Delivery Partnership
two.2) Type of contract and location of works, place of delivery or of performance
Services
Service category No 3: Defence services, military defence services and civil defence services
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
two.3) Information on framework agreement
The notice involves the establishment of a framework agreement: Yes
two.4) Short description of nature and scope of works or nature and quantity or value of supplies or services
As stated in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise Command Paper, published by the Ministry of Defence on 25th March 2024, AWE Plc ("AWE") is embarking on a critical transformation of its infrastructure as part of the National Endeavour to support the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent. We have three major infrastructure programmes:
• Future Materials Campus (FMC) - focusing on the required investment to renew AWE's manufacturing and storage capability for nuclear materials and increasing capability for material recovery.
• Future Infrastructure Programme (FIP) - focusing on delivering AWE's wider infrastructure needs in relation to new office accommodation; laboratories; testing facilities, site services, and advanced manufacturing facilities.
• Liabilities management - Our sites have been operating for a number of decades, and as a result many facilities are reaching the end of their operational life. Liabilities management runs programmes to safely decommission and demolish these legacy facilities and manage the wastes generated.
The Plutonium Technology Centre (PTC) is one of the key facilities included as part of the FIP. This Prior Information Notice specifically relates to the support required for the PTC sustainment programme under the FIP.
Further information regarding AWE can be found at https://www.awe.co.uk/
Estimated value excluding VAT
Range: between £550,000,000 and £950,000,000
Lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
two.5) Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
- 50600000 - Repair and maintenance services of security and defence materials
two.7) Additional information
PTC sustainment programme: Sustainment Delivery Partnership
AWE intends to award a framework to Sustainment Delivery Partners (SDPs) who it will work closely with as part of an integrated team to plan, design and deliver the sustainment programme in the PTC, based on a high-performance culture and best practice. AWE is now seeking expressions of interest for organisations who are considering bidding for the SDPs.
An early market engagement PIN [Notice reference: 2023/S 000-000638] was issued in January 2023 to gather information from the market on the proposed SDPs. AWE has reflected on the responses, has updated the SDPs model and will shortly commence the formal procurement process.
AWE will award a framework to five partners to deliver four key areas of services:
1. Lot 1 Programme Partner (x 1 supplier) will be responsible for working closely with AWE to oversee the supply chain and ensure effective planning, delivery, oversight, and control of work.
2. Lot 2 Optioneering Partner (x 1 supplier) will establish and assess AWE's requirements for maintenance and re-kit, develop and document options, and apply rigorous option assessment criteria before developing robust Scope of Works (SOW). The supplier will maintain a close relationship with AWE to improve and standardise processes.
3. Lot 3 Design & Delivery Partners (x 2 suppliers): will be responsible for progressing a SOW from concept design through detailed design to installation and commissioning. This will include the production of concept designs, detailed designs and their substantiation, sourcing, manufacturing installation and build as well as production of technical documentation and commissioning of equipment.
4. Lot 4 Enhanced Asset Operations Partner (x 1 supplier) will support AWE to carry-out a range of routine and planned maintenance tasks against a rolling schedule of work, to support the maintenance of assets through their lifecycle.
It is envisaged that the framework shall be for a minimum term of 7 years (including an option to extend for a further 1 x 3-year extension at AWE's discretion). The framework is expected to have a cumulative value ranging from £550m to £950m over the 10-year term.
Information about lots
Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority/entity:
Lot No
1
Lot title
Programme Partner
1) Short description
(x 1 supplier) will be responsible for working closely with AWE to oversee the supply chain and ensure effective planning, delivery, oversight, and control of work.
2) Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
- 50600000 - Repair and maintenance services of security and defence materials
Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority/entity:
Lot No
2
Lot title
Optioneering Partner
1) Short description
(x 1 supplier) will establish and assess AWE's requirements for maintenance and re-kit, develop and document options, and apply rigorous option assessment criteria before developing robust Scope of Works (SOW). The supplier will maintain a close relationship with AWE to improve and standardise processes.
2) Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
- 50600000 - Repair and maintenance services of security and defence materials
Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority/entity:
Lot No
3
Lot title
Design & Delivery Partners
1) Short description
(x 2 suppliers): will be responsible for progressing a SOW from concept design through detailed design to installation and commissioning. This will include the production of concept designs, detailed designs and their substantiation, sourcing, manufacturing installation and build as well as production of technical documentation and commissioning of equipment.
2) Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
- 50600000 - Repair and maintenance services of security and defence materials
Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority/entity:
Lot No
4
Lot title
Enhanced Asset Operations Partner
1) Short description
(x 1 supplier) will support AWE to carry-out a range of routine and planned maintenance tasks against a rolling schedule of work, to support the maintenance of assets through their lifecycle.
2) Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
- 50600000 - Repair and maintenance services of security and defence materials
Section six: Complementary information
six.2) Additional information
More information:
• Previous PIN on early engagement for SDPs published on 10 January 2023 here: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000638-2023
• Note that AWE will be attended the Farnborough Airshow during the week commencing the 22 July 2024, and will be attending the Nu-Technology Exhibition in Warrington on the 18 September 2024 and the Nuclear Industry Association members' meeting on the 19 September 2024
• A virtual market engagement event for the Sustainment Delivery Partnership and another FIP programme is also planned for September 2024
Further information:
Please note that this PIN and subsequent market engagement events do not represent a call for competition and, should any procurement result, appropriate procurement documentation will be released at that stage.
Full information will be provided when the procurement process is formally launched.
How to register Expression of Interest:
Interested suppliers should send their Expressions of Interest to the following email address even if they have responded to the original PIN published in January 2023:
Suppliers who have expressed interest shall be required to engage with the AWE security process and sign the AWE Security Aspects Letter. AWE hold reservation of rights to reject any supplier who does not meet our minimum security standards.
For the avoidance of doubt, suppliers who do not submit an Expression of Interest will still be able to take part in the subsequent formal procurement process, subject to meeting AWE's security requirements.