Scope
Reference
C27559
Description
Design support, manufacturing and installation to facilitate a new Skiphandler Machine mast and stem, in addition to a new grapple and camera system, including, project planning and quality assurance, design and engineering, procurement and manufacturing, factory assembly and testing, dispatch and logistics, removal of existing components, installation of new components and site acceptance and commissioning.
Contract 1. PFSP SHM 15Te Skiphandler Crane (Replacement Grapple & Cameras) & Mast/Stem
Supplier
Contract value
- £2,967,972.48 excluding VAT
- £3,561,566.98 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
22 December 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 5 January 2026 to 31 October 2028
- 2 years, 9 months, 27 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 51511110 - Installation services of cranes
- 42419100 - Parts of cranes
- 42414200 - Overhead travelling cranes
- 50531400 - Repair and maintenance services of cranes
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
The purpose of the Skip Handling Machine (SHM) removable mast in Sellafield's Pile Fuel Storage Pond (PFSP) is to move skips around the pond, between the various retrievals systems. The removable mast has an operations platform that is used for numerous tasks, including skip inspection, with 110v sockets that allow cameras/lights/video equipment to be deployed. The SHM is the single most important piece of production equipment in PFSP and is a key system for Sellafield Ltd’s Retrievals Value Stream. There are structural concerns regarding corrosion on the SHM mast, therefore it is imperative for site operations that the existing SHM mast is replaced with a functionally like for like mast.
In the current circumstances, competition is absent for technical reasons and pursuant to Schedule 5, paragraph 6 of the Procurement Act 2023, Sellafield may award a contract directly in accordance with section 43 of the Procurement Act 2023. Wellman Booth have carried out extensive work on the PFSP SHM, including design, manufacture and installation of new components, carried out as part of maintenance and CE requirements, and have in-depth knowledge, experience, and design data associated with the PFSP SHM. Given Wellman Booth's existing knowledge and design data associated with the PFSP SHM, and their understanding of the operational constraints in the facility, they are able to work around Sellafield's planned outages on site. Additional outages would cause a reduction in operational time within the asset, which may have a critical impact to Sellafield’s programme delivery. Due to the history and provenance of the crane with Wellman Booth, the dilapidated state and urgent requirement for its replacement, Wellman Booth represent the only organisation able to meet Sellafield's Programme's requirements.
Supplier
Wellman Booth a trading division of The Clarke Chapman Group
- Companies House: 04120617
Unit 2, Kirkfield Industrial Centre, Kirk Lane
Yeadon, Leeds
LS19 7LX
United Kingdom
Email: info@wellmanbooth.co.uk
Region: UKE42 - Leeds
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. PFSP SHM 15Te Skiphandler Crane (Replacement Grapple & Cameras) & Mast/Stem
Contracting authority
Sellafield Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWYP-8439-MZWY
Hinton House, Birchwood Park Avenue
Warrington
WA3 6GR
United Kingdom
Contact name: Euan Burnard
Email: euan.burnard@sellafieldsites.com
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/sellafield-ltd
Region: UKD61 - Warrington
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government