Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED
Chadwick House Warrington Road
Warrington
WA36AE
Contact
David Brown
Telephone
+44 1900397025
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKD61 - Warrington
Companies House
PVXT-8784-YGNV
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other type
Public authority - sub-central government
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Nuclear
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Integrated Intelligent Safe Environment Phase 2
Reference number
NNLC321.26
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
UKNNL have been asked to support the delivery of this innovative project for the SNM division of Sellafield Ltd.
UKNNL requires consultancy and software development support via a contract to develop and demonstrate a solution for an Integrated Intelligent Safe Environment. The works will also need to maintain a requirements specification and include an update to the feasibility study (Issue 1) that was released as part of Phase 1 in March 2025.
Upon acceptance of the updated feasibility study, the University partner will then initiate the development of an AI-based system that allows safe, symbiotic interaction between humans and autonomous systems.
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: £300,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKD - North West (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Deliverables of the contract are as follows:
Year 1:
1. An end of year report detailing progress of the development of the AI system, and the review of the application of the Unity Gaming Engine.
2. A demonstration of the generated AI system using a simple store mock-up.
3. A report detailing the high-level design of the IISE Software.
4. Update the requirements specification for review and agreement by Sellafield Ltd and UKNNL.
5. An updated version of the "Feasibility Review document" on the approaches, their validity, scope, key assumptions, and consistency with established practise.
6. Update scope of programme for future phases of work.
The above list may be subject to change if UKNNL has specific requirements or time restraints.
Year 2 and 3:
1. Deliverables will align with Module design, write and test activities.
Timescales
• Year 1 deliverables will be delivered on or before 31st March 2026.
• Year 2 and Year 3 deliverables will be required before 31st March 2028.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Initial contract to run until 31st March 2026.
Optional Extensions: 2 x 12 Months
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- No tenders or no suitable tenders/requests to participate in response to restricted procedure
Explanation:
Direct Award (call off) under NNLC321 UKNNL University Supply Chain Framework - Lot 6 Innovation, Future Insights & New Technology Universities.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
24 November 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
EDGBASTON
BIRMINGHAM
B15 2TT
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
University of Birmingham
GB729856187
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £300,000
Total value of the contract/lot: £300,000
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