Award

Step-change improvements in sensitivity and scan speed

  • NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED

F15: Voluntary ex ante transparency notice

Notice identifier: 2024/S 000-027281

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0495a6

Published 27 August 2024, 1:41pm



Section one: Contracting authority/entity

one.1) Name and addresses

NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED

5th Floor Chadwick House, Birchwood Park

Warrington

WA3 6AE

Email

nnl.procurement@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

Step-change improvements in sensitivity and scan speed

Reference number

GC_156_7

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 Fraunhofer UK Research Limited who will further develop the Concept for Hydromap III - Step-change improvements in sensitivity and scan speed 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: £432,836

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 exploit a unique property of Hydrogen, in combination with the recent emergence of high performance single-photon detectors, to realise a device that will be able to detect this elusive molecule with unprecedented concentration and spatial accuracy over extended stand-off ranges.

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

Should additional funding become available to further develop this scope of work then the potential to extend is available.


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 Sensor Driven who will further develop the concept for a Step-change improvements in sensitivity and scan speed as part of the Gamechangers Innovation Programme. Fraunhofer UK Research Limited has been developing the Hydropmap III and were selected through a response to a Gamechangers Challenge Statement which sought applications for feasibility funding.

The aim of this proof-of-concept project is to exploit a unique property of Hydrogen, in combination with the recent emergence of high performance single-photon detectors, to realise a device that will be able to detect this elusive molecule with unprecedented concentration and spatial accuracy over extended stand-off ranges.

Following all supplier applications for feasibility funding for the above project, Fraunhofer UK Research Limited was selected as a successful supplier by the funders (Sellafield Ltd). An initial £5,000.00 of feasibility funding was provided, which supported Fraunhofer UK Research Limited to:

• Create a Business Case

• Generate of a Project Plan

• Identify milestones and funding requirements

The output of this feasibility study was then further evaluated by Sellafield Ltd and Fraunhofer UK Research Limited 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

Contract No

GC_156_7

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract/concession

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

16 August 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

Fraunhofer UK Research LTD

Glasgow

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKM82 - Glasgow City
Companies House

SC419797

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: £432,836


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