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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Technical Support to Regulatory Assessments of Solid Radioactive Waste Disposal Framework

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY · Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 30 Sept 2026, 03:33.

Opportunity overview

The Environment Agency is the independent environmental regulator for the nuclear industry and for radioactive substances regulation in England. It regulates a range of activities, depending on the type of site, but in all cases it regulates the disposal of solid radioactive waste on or from the site, as well as discharges to air and water (which are also defined as disposal under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 (EPR2016)). Its remit covers England, but the Environment Agency works closely with the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) on matters of mutual interest, including those relating to the management and disposal of solid radioactive waste. The Authority is seeking to establish an Open Framework, for up to an 8 (eight) year period, with multiple suppliers across 3 (three) technical Lots, that have the capability to provide expert technical advice and scrutiny across several areas of regulatory assessments of solid radioactive waste disposal. Suppliers appointed to the framework will support the Environment Agency in meeting its statutory obligations in the regulation of solid radioactive waste disposals. Framework suppliers will have the capability to provide expert advice and scrutiny on solid radioactive waste disposal and support in the technical evaluation of Site-Wide Environmental Safety Case (SWESCs) from operators of nuclear licensed sites and Environment Safety Cases (ESCs) from developers and operators of radioactive waste disposal facilities. The scope of services will also encompass advice relating to the Environment Agency’s remit in pre-disposal management and materials not yet formally declared as wastes, such as spent fuel and separated plutonium.

Classification

  • CPV71313000 — Environmental engineering consultancy services
  • CPV71351220 — Geological consultancy services
  • CPV71621000 — Technical analysis or consultancy services
  • CPV90711000 — Environmental impact assessment other than for construction
  • CPV90713000 — Environmental issues consultancy services
  • CPV98113100 — Nuclear safety services

Lots

  • Technical Secretariat for Expert Advisory Panel£1.4m
  • Topical Review Services£356k
  • LLWR 2026 Environmental Safety Case£3.5m
  • Radioactive waste disposal (landfills, decommissioning sites & other facililitie£246k
  • Specialist support to regulation of geological disposal£4.3m

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
P-37412
Status
planned
Above Threshold
Yes
Procurement Method
selective
Main Procurement Category
services
How to submit
All Tender Submissions must be made through the Defra eSourcing Portal, Tenderers must be registered on the portal to access the opportunity and submit a Tender Response. Details of how to register your organisation can be found at https://atamis-9529.my.site.com/s/Welcome
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Expression Of Interest Deadline
6 Mar 2026, 15:00

Covered By

GPA

Procedure

Features
Open Tender Stage, followed by Price Negotiation Stage

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Lot Details

Award Criteria Details
The Framework will be structured in 3 (three) technical Lots. Lot 1 and Lot 2 will be divided into 2 (two) further sub-lots. The Lots and sub-lots will be awarded as follows: Lot 1 - Specialist Support to Solid Radioactive Waste Regulation: Sub-lot 1.1 Technical Secretariat for Expert Advisory Panel will be awarded to a single (1) supplier that receives the highest total evaluation score, i.e. ranked 1st (first), for this sub-lot. Sub-lot 1.2 Topical Review Services – the successful suppliers appointed to sub-lots 2.1, 2.2 and Lot 3 will automatically be offered a Framework Agreement to provide Services for sub-lot 1.2. Lot 2 - Specialist support to regulation of solid radioactive waste near-surface disposal: Sub-lot 2.1 LLWR 2026 Environmental Safety Case will be awarded to a single (1) supplier that receives the highest total evaluation score, i.e. ranked 1st (first), for this sub-lot. Sub-lot 2.1 Radioactive waste disposal at landfills, decommissioning sites and other facilities will be awarded to up to 5 (five) suppliers that receive the 5 (five) highest total evaluation scores, i.e. ranked 1st – 5th (first to fifth), for this sub-lot. Lot 3 - Specialist support to regulation of geological disposal will be awarded to up to 5 (five) suppliers that receive the 5 (five) highest total evaluation scores, i.e. ranked 1st – 5th (first to fifth), for this Lot There is no restriction on the number of Lots or sub-lots tenderers may bid for. Tenderers may be offered a framework agreement/contract for multiple or all Lots/sub-lots if their tender for the Lot or sub-lot(s) is ranked as set out above.

Techniques

Has Framework Agreement
Yes

Framework Agreement

Type
open
Method
withAndWithoutReopeningCompetition
Description
The Authority anticipates the framework will operate for 8 (eight) years in total commencing 1st September 2026 until 31st August 2034. The Authority anticipates the framework will be re-opened in its third year with a further tender process undertaken to establish a follow-on framework for up to a further 5 (five) years to 2034 at the discretion of the Authority and subject to a continued business need. At the re-opening point incumbent framework suppliers will have the opportunity to revise their tender response, leave their offer as per their last framework tender submission or voluntarily exit the framework. Tenderers should be aware that at the re-opening point new suppliers will have the opportunity to tender to be included on the framework. All tender responses from incumbent and new suppliers will undergo an evaluation process to select the successful suppliers for the follow-on framework. Incumbent suppliers may be replaced by other suppliers with higher scoring tenders.
Buyer Categories
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Defra group bodies.
Maximum Participants
12
Is Open Framework Scheme
Yes
Open Framework Scheme End Date
31 Aug 2034, 23:59

Expected award period

Ends
1 Jul 2026, 23:59

Communication

Future Notice Date
15 Dec 2025, 23:59

Contract terms

Financial Terms
With 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en

Participation Fees

Entry 1
Id
ocds-h6vhtk-0528c7
Description
No fees will apply

Type

win

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Title
Technical Secretariat for Expert Advisory Panel
Status
planned
Has Options
Yes
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
The Authority will appoint a single supplier to provide technical secretariat support to establish and maintain an Expert Advisory Panel. The Environment Agency Expert Advisory Panel (EAEAP) will provide independent advice and expertise in the following areas relating to the regulation of solid radioactive waste disposal and pre-disposal management. The full Specification will be included in the Bidder Pack.

Value

Amount
1,350,000
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
1,620,000

Options

Description
The sub-lot may be re-tendered at the framework re-opening point in Year 3 (three) to establish a follow-on framework for up to a further 5 (five) years at the discretion of the Authority and subject to a continued business need.

Identifiers

Entry 1
Id
1.1

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Technical
Type
quality
Description
Evaluation criteria are set on in the Bidder Pack Pt.2 Document. The Technical Criteria will account for 60% of the overall evaluation score.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
60
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Name
Social Value
Type
quality
Description
Evaluation criteria are set on in the Bidder Pack Pt.2 Document. The social Value will account for 10% of the overall evaluation score.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 3
Name
Commercial
Type
price
Description
Evaluation criteria are set on in the Bidder Pack Pt.2 Document. The Commercial evaluation will account for 30% of the overall evaluation score.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
31 Aug 2030, 23:59
Starts
1 Sept 2026, 00:00
Max Extent Date
31 Aug 2034, 23:59

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
Information will be provided in the Bidder Pack Pt.1
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
Information will be provided in the Bidder Pack Pt.2 and Technical Specifications
Criterion 3
Description
No selection criteria will be applied
For Reduction
Yes
Entry 2
Id
1.2
Title
Topical Review Services
Status
planned
Has Options
Yes
Description
The Authority will appoint the successful tenderers for sub-lots 2.1, 2.2 and Lot 3 to establish access to expert Services under sub-lot 1.2 to support the continued development and enhancement of its internal processes and/or external regulatory guidance related to the disposal of solid radioactive waste. Over the lifetime of the Framework, there may also be a requirement for Environment Agency to develop new guidance in response to evolving government policy, operator proposals, international recommendations, or scientific developments.

Value

Amount
356,000
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
427,200

Options

Description
This sub-lot may be included in the framework re-opening in Year 3 (three) to continue the services for up to a further 5 (five) years.

Second Stage

Maximum Candidates
11
Minimum Candidates
3

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Award criteria

Weighting Description
The Authority will appoint the successful tenderers for sub-lots 2.1, 2.2 and Lot 3 to this sub-lot. There will be no additional Award Criteria.

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Technical
Type
quality
Description
This sub-lot will not be evaluated. Suppliers appointed to sub-lots 2.1, 2.2 and Lot 3 will automatically be offered a framework agreement to provide services for this sub-lot.
Criterion 2
Name
Commercial
Type
price
Description
This sub-lot will not be evaluated. Suppliers appointed to sub-lots 2.1, 2.2 and Lot 3 will automatically be offered a framework agreement to provide services for this sub-lot.

Contract period

Ends
31 Aug 2034, 23:59
Starts
1 Sept 2026, 00:00

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
Information will be provided in the Bidder Pack Pt.1
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
Information will be provided in the Bidder Pack Pt.2 and Technical Specifications
Criterion 3
Description
The Authority will appoint the successful tenderers for sub-lots 2.1, 2.2 and Lot 3 to this sub-lot. There will be no additional selection or award criteria.
For Reduction
Yes
Entry 3
Id
2.1
Title
LLWR 2026 Environmental Safety Case
Status
planned
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
The Authority will appoint a single Contractor, with the required skills and experience, to assist the Environment Agency in its detailed review of the 2026 Environmental Safety Case (ESC) for the Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR) facility in Cumbria, England. The Authority expects to benefit from the Contractor bringing to the review their experience from involvement in other near-surface radioactive waste disposal safety assessments. The Contractor should also bring specific capabilities in facility design and substantiation, materials performance, conceptual environmental model review, safety assessment calculation specification and undertaking of assessment modelling (e.g. using GoldSim and or other suitable software). The exact nature, scope and specification of the Services required from the Contractor will be finalised following receipt of the 2026 ESC, expected in May 2026.

Value

Amount
3,460,000
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
4,152,000

Renewal

Description
The contract may be extended for up to a further 12 (twelve) month period at the discretion of the Authority.

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Technical
Type
quality
Description
Evaluation criteria are set on in the Bidder Pack Pt.2 Document. The Technical Criteria will account for 60% of the overall evaluation score.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
60
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Name
Social Value
Type
quality
Description
Evaluation criteria are set on in the Bidder Pack Pt.2 Document. Social Value will account for 10% of the overall evaluation score.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 3
Name
Commercial
Type
price
Description
Evaluation criteria are set on in the Bidder Pack Pt.2 Document. The Commercial Evaluation will account for 30% of the overall evaluation score.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
31 Aug 2030, 23:59
Starts
1 Sept 2026, 00:00
Max Extent Date
31 Aug 2031, 23:59

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
Information will be provided in the Bidder Pack Pt.1
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
Information will be provided in the Bidder Pack Pt.2 and Technical Specifications
Criterion 3
Description
There will be no selection criteria applied
For Reduction
Yes
Entry 4
Id
2.2
Title
Radioactive waste disposal (landfills, decommissioning sites & other facililitie
Status
planned
Has Options
Yes
Description
The Environment Agency anticipates receiving applications from operators for either the disposal of LLW to existing landfills or for the construction of a new dedicated disposal facility on nuclear sites which may require input from expert external consultants. The Authority will appoint up 5 (five) suppliers to provide technical support to assist in the review of ESCs submitted in support of permit applications for the disposal of solid LLW to landfill. Outputs would inform the Environment Agency’s determination of the ESC review or permit variation. The number and timing of these reviews is not currently known.

Value

Amount
246,000
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
295,200

Options

Description
The Authority may, at its discretion, re-open the Framework in Year 3 (three) to establish a follow-on framework for up to a further 5 (five) years, subject to a continued business need.

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Technical
Type
quality
Description
Evaluation criteria are set on in the Bidder Pack Pt.2 Document. The Technical Criteria will account for 60% of the overall evaluation score.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
60
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Name
Social Value
Type
quality
Description
Evaluation criteria are set on in the Bidder Pack Pt.2 Document. Social Value will account for 10% of the overall evaluation score.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 3
Name
Commercial
Type
price
Description
Evaluation criteria are set on in the Bidder Pack Pt.2 Document. The Commercial Evaluation will account for 30% of the overall evaluation score.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
31 Aug 2034, 23:59
Starts
1 Sept 2026, 00:00

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
Information will be provided in the Bidder Pack Pt.1
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
Information will be provided in the Bidder Pack Pt.2 and Technical Specifications
Criterion 3
Description
No selection criteria will be applied
For Reduction
Yes
Entry 5
Id
3
Title
Specialist support to regulation of geological disposal
Status
planned
Has Options
Yes
Description
The Authority appoint up to 5 (five) suppliers to provide specialist expertise and advice to the Environment Agency related to the regulation of geological disposal. Framework Suppliers will provide technical support to supplement internal Environment Agency capability during both the pre-application stage and the review of the first permit application for intrusive site investigations.

Value

Amount
4,339,000
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
5,206,800

Options

Description
The Authority may re-open the Framework in Year 3 (three) to establish a follow-on framework for up to a further 5 (five) years at the discretion of the Authority and a continued business need.

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Technical
Type
quality
Description
Evaluation criteria are set on in the Bidder Pack Pt.2 Document. The Technical Criteria will account for 60% of the overall evaluation score.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
60
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Name
Social Value
Type
quality
Description
Evaluation criteria are set on in the Bidder Pack Pt.2 Document. Social Value will account for 10% of the overall evaluation score.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 3
Name
Commercial
Type
price
Description
Evaluation criteria are set on in the Bidder Pack Pt.2 Document. The Commercial Evaluation will account for 30% of the overall evaluation score.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
31 Aug 2034, 23:59
Starts
1 Sept 2026, 00:00

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
Information will be provided in the Bidder Pack Pt.1
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
Information will be provided in the Bidder Pack Pt.2 and Technical Specifications
Criterion 3
Description
No selection criteria to be applied
For Reduction
Yes

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 2
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 3
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
71621000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Technical analysis or consultancy services
Entry 2
Id
90713000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Environmental issues consultancy services
Entry 3
Id
90711000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Environmental impact assessment other than for construction
Entry 4
Id
98113100
Scheme
CPV
Description
Nuclear safety services
Entry 5
Id
71313000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Environmental engineering consultancy services
Entry 6
Id
71351220
Scheme
CPV
Description
Geological consultancy services
Item 2
Id
1.2
Related Lot
1.2

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
71621000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Technical analysis or consultancy services
Entry 2
Id
98113100
Scheme
CPV
Description
Nuclear safety services
Entry 3
Id
71313000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Environmental engineering consultancy services
Entry 4
Id
90713000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Environmental issues consultancy services
Entry 5
Id
71351220
Scheme
CPV
Description
Geological consultancy services
Entry 6
Id
90711000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Environmental impact assessment other than for construction
Item 3
Id
2.1
Related Lot
2.1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
71621000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Technical analysis or consultancy services
Entry 2
Id
98113100
Scheme
CPV
Description
Nuclear safety services
Entry 3
Id
71313000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Environmental engineering consultancy services
Entry 4
Id
90713000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Environmental issues consultancy services
Entry 5
Id
71351220
Scheme
CPV
Description
Geological consultancy services
Entry 6
Id
90711000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Environmental impact assessment other than for construction
Item 4
Id
2.2
Related Lot
2.2

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
71621000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Technical analysis or consultancy services
Entry 2
Id
98113100
Scheme
CPV
Description
Nuclear safety services
Entry 3
Id
71313000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Environmental engineering consultancy services
Entry 4
Id
90713000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Environmental issues consultancy services
Entry 5
Id
71351220
Scheme
CPV
Description
Geological consultancy services
Entry 6
Id
90711000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Environmental impact assessment other than for construction
Item 5
Id
3
Related Lot
3

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
71621000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Technical analysis or consultancy services
Entry 2
Id
98113100
Scheme
CPV
Description
Nuclear safety services
Entry 3
Id
71313000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Environmental engineering consultancy services
Entry 4
Id
90713000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Environmental issues consultancy services
Entry 5
Id
71351220
Scheme
CPV
Description
Geological consultancy services
Entry 6
Id
90711000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Environmental impact assessment other than for construction

Planning and budget

Documents

Entry 1
Id
028440-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Published
29 May 2025, 12:39
Entry 2
Id
078259-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK3
Description
Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
plannedProcurementNotice
Published
28 Nov 2025, 17:00
Entry 3
Id
078765-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK1
Description
Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
plannedProcurementNotice
Published
2 Dec 2025, 10:20

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Status
scheduled
Due
4 Jul 2025, 23:59
Description
The Environment Agency is conducting a market engagement exercise to better understand the interest, capability and capacity of the supply market to provide the required services in a future invitation to tender. To inform its decision making and consider its contracting options, the Environment Agency is inviting interested suppliers to respond to a short questionnaire and attend a virtual supplier event. If you wish to participate in this market engagement exercise, you are invited to complete a short Technical Support for the Regulatory Assessment of Solid Radioactive Waste Disposal Facilities Market Engagement Questionnaire. The questionnaire can be obtained by emailing radwaste.enquiry@environment-agency.gov.uk. Please use the subject title “Technical Support Market Engagement Questionnaire” in your request. Completed questionnaires should be returned to the same email address no later than 16:00 on 4th July 2025. A virtual supplier event will be held via Microsoft Teams on 10th June 2025 11:00-13:00 BST. This will provide interested organisations an opportunity to learn about the Environment Agency and its requirements for the technical support contract as well as the chance to clarify any matters to assist in completing the questionnaire. Requests to attend the supplier event should be emailed to radwaste.enquiry@environment-agency.gov.uk with the subject title “Technical Support Market Engagement Supplier Event”, and include details of the email address(es) invitations should be issued to. To keep the event manageable, suppliers are requested to keep attendees to a maximum of four participants. Any future tender exercise will be conducted through the Defra eSourcing portal. If your organisation is not already registered you can create an account at https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome. This engagement does not constitute a formal notice to tender and there is no guarantee the Environment Agency will proceed with an external tendering exercise to create a framework or other form of contract. By replying to the questionnaire, you are not committing to any future tender submission, and replies will not form part of any subsequent tender process.

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-PPON-PNWW-1475-NYLN
Name
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKI32
Country
GB
Locality
London
Postal Code
SW1P 4DF
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Description
Public authority - sub-central government

Identifier

Id
PNWW-1475-NYLN
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Name
Carol Caddick
Organisation 2
Id
GB-PPON-PNBD-3289-CDGX
Name
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Role Details
Defra group Commercial (DgC) will manage the procurement on behalf of the Contracting Authority.

Roles

procuringEntity

Address

Region
UKI32
Country
GB
Locality
London
Postal Code
SW1P 4DF
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street

Details

Identifier

Id
PNBD-3289-CDGX
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Name
Carol Caddick

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · London · UKI32 · SW1P 4DF · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UK · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-0528c7-2025-12-02T10:20:37ZPreliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·