Tender

Request for Information regarding leaching experiments using AGR graphite samples

  • CTM Portal for the NDA Shared Services Alliance

F01: Prior information notice (call for competition)

Notice identifier: 2021/S 000-026750

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-02efeb

Published 26 October 2021, 10:57am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

CTM Portal for the NDA Shared Services Alliance

Building 329 West Thompson Avenue

Harwell

OX11 0GD

Contact

Lois Moss

Email

Lois.moss@nda.gov.uk

Telephone

+44 1925803068

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UK - United Kingdom

National registration number

01002607

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/shared-services-alliance-ssa-for-nuclear-decommissioning-estate

Buyer's address

https://sharedsystems.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/3510

one.2) Information about joint procurement

The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

https://sharedsystems.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=14187&B=SELLAFIELD

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

https://sharedsystems.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=14187&B=SELLAFIELD

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Other activity

Nuclear Decommissioning


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Request for Information regarding leaching experiments using AGR graphite samples

Reference number

RWM585/PIN

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 73110000 - Research services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

RWM has commissioned work to measure and further understand the release of carbon-14 from irradiated AGR graphite under a range of conditions. This work has an experimental programme that closely follows the methods and test durations previously studied for Magnox graphite to provide comparable results. Due to nature of the work, only a small number of graphite samples from two AGR stations are being investigated in initial leaching experiments. However, to understand the variabilities in the carbon-14 release behaviour from graphite across the AGR fleet, RWM has expressed a vision to make comparative measurements on samples from all AGR reactors. Although an extensive programme of long-term leaching may not be feasible, shorter-term experiments, lasting 3-6 months, may be suitable for this purpose along with a wider characterisation programme to understand the inventory within AGR graphite. RWM wishes to find out if there are suppliers who can meet the requirements of this work.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £300,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73110000 - Research services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

RWM has commissioned work to measure and further understand the release of carbon-14 from irradiated AGR graphite under a range of relevant conditions. This will involve measurement of total carbon-14 release into the gas and aqueous phases, together with characterisation of the carbon speciation. This work has an experimental programme that closely follows the methods and test durations previously studied for Magnox graphite to provide comparable results. Due to nature of the work, only a small number of graphite samples from two AGR stations are being investigated in initial leaching experiments. However, to understand the variabilities in the carbon-14 release behaviour from graphite across the AGR fleet, RWM has expressed a vision to make comparative measurements on samples from all AGR reactors. Although an extensive programme of long-term leaching may not be feasible, shorter-term experiments, lasting 3-6 months, may be suitable for this purpose along with a wider characterisation programme to understand the inventory within AGR graphite. RWM wishes to find out from the market if there are suppliers who can meet the specific requirements of this work.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £300,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Restricted procedure

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of expressions of interest

Date

11 November 2021

Local time

11:59pm

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Royal Courts of Justice

Strand

London

London

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

http://www.justice.gov.uk

six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures

Royal Courts of Justice

Strand

London

London

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

http://www.justice.gov.uk

six.4.3) Review procedure

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:

Any appeals should be promptly brought to the attention of the contact specified in Section I above, and will be dealt with in accordance with the requirements of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Any appeals must be brought within the timescales specified by the applicable law, including without limitation, the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. In accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the Contracting Authority will also incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period from the date information on award of contract is communicated to tenderers.

six.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained

Radioactive Waste Management Limited

Building 329 West Thompson Avenue

Harwell

OX11 0GD

Country

United Kingdom