Scope
Reference
NNLC661
Description
The Strategic Design Partner (SDP) Framework is intended to comprise of four stages, these are: Stage 1: Defining Period Stage 2: Preliminary Design Stage 3: Detailed Design Stage 4: Design Support During Manufacture UKNNL will enter into a new call-off for each stage of work, UKNNL reserves the right to not award future call-offs to the framework appointed supplier. UKNNL will continually assess Key Performance Indicators to inform decision making surrounding future call-offs. This notice is to shortlist suppliers under stage 1 - the deadlines for each stage are: Stage 1: Deadline 28th November 2025 at 13:00hrs Stage 2: w/c 8th December 2025 Stage 3: Deadline 16th January 2026 at 13:00hrs Stage 4: Optional, dates as per ITT
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £3,500,000 excluding VAT
- £4,200,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 16 March 2026 to 15 March 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 71320000 - Engineering design services
Contract locations
- UKD45 - Mid Lancashire
- UKD - North West (England)
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
1
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
The framework will be called off only via direct award. Each direct award will be made utilising the framework annex's, governed by NEC4 PSC contracts. UKNNL will use a mixture of NEC Options A, C and E under this framework.
Award method when using the framework
Without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Financial Capacity: Turnover Ratio Financial Capacity: Acid Ratio Insurances GDPR Refer to the tender documents for full details on the conditions of participation and evaluation criteria. The Procurement Specific Questionnaire includes the Conditions of Participation questions, this is used for shortlisting in stage 1.
Technical ability conditions of participation
Relevant Experience and Contract Examples Safety, Health and Wellbeing Nuclear Safety Culture Cyber Essentials Plus Refer to the tender documents for full details on the conditions of participation and evaluation criteria. The Procurement Specific Questionnaire includes the Conditions of Participation questions, this is used for shortlisting in stage 1.
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
28 November 2025, 1:00pm
Submission type
Tenders
Tender submission deadline
16 January 2026, 1:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
11 March 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Criteria | For stage 3: final tender |
Quality | 60% |
| Commercial Evaluation | For stage 3: final tender |
Price | 20% |
| Programme | For stage 3: final tender |
Quality | 10% |
| Social Value | For stage 3: final tender |
Quality | 10% |
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
There is a known unknown risk that UKNNL may need to vary the scope of the framework to include design support to also support other deconversion related design support, outside of the rig design. Currently UKNNL cannot include this scope in the framework and do not know the scale and value of this risk. This risk if materialised may require a modification to the contract to expand the contract scope to include wider engineering-based activities. If this is required, the supplier will be made aware in writing and agreement on additional scope agreed via a call-off contract. If the risk materialised UKNNL will modify the contract where awarding a new contract would not be in the public interest.
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
The Competitive Flexible Procedure will consist of three distinct stages, allowing for an initial assessment of interested suppliers. A fourth stage is included as an optional stage and UKNNL reserves the right to add/remove additional stages including a negotiation stage as required. Suppliers will be evaluated against the specific objectives of the contract through the following stages: Stage 1: Procurement Specification Questionnaire (Shortlisting) - DEADLINE 28th November 2025 Stage 2: Supplier Presentations Stage 3: Final Tender - DEADLINE estimated to be 16th January 2026 Stage 4: Negotiation (optional stage used if required) Shortlisting will be to the highest ranked 5 suppliers. Should suppliers score equal in all questions, UKNNL may submit more or less suppliers through to Stage 2 and Stage 3. If negotiation is required, the preferred supplier identified in Stage 3 will proceed through to the negotiation stage. Interested parties should refer to the Invitation to Tender document on the e-tendering portal for full guidance on the procedure and associated evaluation criteria for all stages. UKNNL reserves the right to award the framework agreement before completing all stages should supplier numbers reduce to 1 and sufficient evaluation have been undertaken to determine if the supplier is able to offer the most advantageous tender. UKNNL will not be bound by the inclusion of the tenderer's own terms and conditions in any part of the submission, unless expressly agreed to in writing. There is a known unknown risk that UKNNL may need to vary the scope of the framework to include design support to also support other deconversion related design support, outside of the rig design. Currently UKNNL cannot include this scope in the framework and do not know the scale and value of this risk. This risk if materialised may require a modification to the contract to expand the contract scope to include wider engineering-based activities. If this is required, the supplier will be made aware in writing and agreement on additional scope agreed via a call-off contract. If the risk materialised UKNNL will modify the contract where awarding a new contract would not be in the public interest.
Contracting authority
United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVXT-8784-YGNV
Chadwick House, Birchwood Park
Warrington
WA3 6AE
United Kingdom
Contact name: Emma Kirkpatrick
Telephone: +44 1925933744
Email: emma.kirkpatrick@uknnl.com
Website: https://www.nnl.co.uk/
Region: UKD61 - Warrington
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government