Technical Support to Regulatory Assessments of Solid Radioactive Waste Disposal Framework

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 technical support and scrutiny across several areas 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 disposal.

Suppliers are required for the provision of expert advice and scrutiny on solid radioactive waste disposal including, but not limited to, support in the technical evaluation of near-surface Environmental Safety Cases (ESCs) from developers and operators of radioactive waste disposal facilities and Site-Wide Environmental Safety Case (SWESCs) from operators of nuclear licensed sites and expert advice and scrutiny on geological solid radioactive waste disposal. The scope of services will also encompass expert 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 and other advice connected with solid radioactive waste disposal.

The Framework will also be available to other Defra group bodies which have regulatory roles in the nuclear industry should they require services related to solid radioactive waste disposal to fulfil their statutory obligations.

The full Framework Scope and Technical Specifications are provided in the Bidder Pack which also contains the full details of the opportunity, the tender process and how to submit a tender. The Bidder Pack is available via the Authority’s eSourcing portal.

Note: there has been an amendment to the previously published UK03 Planned Procurement Notice (UK-0561). The lot structure has been amended - Lot 3 will now be divided into three (3) separate Sub-lots not a single Lot as previously advised.

To participate in the tendering procedure you must be registered on the Defra eSourcing 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