Future opportunity

MOx Fuel Line

  • CTM Portal for the NDA Shared Services Alliance

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice reference: 2021/S 000-031353

Published 16 December 2021, 9:42am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

CTM Portal for the NDA Shared Services Alliance

Calder Bridge

Seascale

CA20 1PG

Contact

David Kirkbride

Email

David.kirkbride@uknnl.com

Telephone

+44 1925933793

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKD11 - West Cumbria

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.3) Communication

Access to the procurement documents is restricted. Further information can be obtained at

https://sharedsystems.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=15294&B=SELLAFIELD

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned 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

MOx Fuel Line

Reference number

NNLC123

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 45351000 - Mechanical engineering installation works

two.1.3) Type of contract

Works

two.1.4) Short description

The current Fuel Line located in National Nuclear Laboratory’s (NNL’s) Central Laboratory was designed and installed in the mid-2000’s in Area 400 to provide research and development (R&D) support to Sellafield Mixed Oxide (MOx) Plant (SMP), which utilised the Short Binderless Route (SBR) for producing MOx. However, the Fuel Line was never fully commissioned and has remained in a state of Care and Maintenance (C&M) since then.

The intent is to re-purpose the above existing fuel line, whilst keeping certain elements embedded within the design.

The scope of the works required is therefore to Design, Install and Commission the Fuel Line for future usage by the NDA.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £30,000,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 45300000 - Building installation work
  • 71300000 - Engineering services
  • 71321000 - Engineering design services for mechanical and electrical installations for buildings
  • 71323200 - Plant engineering design services
  • 71350000 - Engineering-related scientific and technical services
  • 09340000 - Nuclear fuels
  • 45251110 - Nuclear-power station construction work

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKD11 - West Cumbria
Main site or place of performance

Sellafield

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The current Fuel Line located in NNL’s Central Laboratory was designed and installed in the mid-2000’s in Area 400 to provide R&D support to SMP, which utilised the Short Binderless Route for producing MOx. However, the Fuel Line was never fully commissioned and has remained in a state of Care and Maintenance since then.

NDA is responsible for the current civil plutonium stockpile and is currently considering options for plutonium disposition including reusing the material within new MOx fuel or immobilising within an inert matrix suitable for disposal within a GDF.

For reuse in MOx fuel, NDA is investigating the possibility of production of MOx for LWR type reactors.

NDA has requested that NNL investigate re-purposing the current Fuel Line for the new dual purpose of making fuel-quality LWR or disposal-grade MOx through the use of an industrially proven Masterblend process, but also retain the SBR type equipment to allow as many powder processing options to remain open for reactor or disposal-grade MOx to be developed.

The works contract is compiled of the following stages:

• Design stages (Preliminary and Detailed)

• Procurement of Materials, Fabrications and Subcontracts for the works – Certain materials and fabrication packages will carry Contract Quality Requirements (CQR) grade 2

• Supply of Equipment, Labour and Plant for the works

• Works mobilisation

• Installation of works

• Commissioning of works (Inactive and active)

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

28 February 2022


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

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

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

To provide further information in relation to the above opportunity NNL are holding a Supply Chain Engagement session at 10am - 11.30am on Wednesday 13th January 2022.

Places are limited to 2 people from each organisation. Please provide email addresses for attendees to david.kirkbride@uknnl.com by Friday 7th January 2022 and a Teams invite will follow.

The NNL team will consist of a variety of representatives who will provide an overview of the organisation and our requirement. This will be followed by a Q&A session.

The slides and Q&A's will be provided to participants following the call.

A questionnaire will also be issued to all organisations following the call to provide attendees with an opportunity to feed back their views to NNL.

Early supplier engagement is key to ensuring NNL go to market with a robust procurement specification that will attract the interest of the supply chain. Please therefore join us on the call to find out more about this future opportunity and to assist us with your feedback.