Nuclear Security Contract · UK public procurement notice

Direct award is recommended because UKNNL, as the UK’s national nuclear laboratory, has unique access to sensitive information, historic datasets, specialist facilities, and nuclear security expertise essential to delivering this programme, including support across HALEU, maritime security, advanced nuclear technologies, and international engagement.

The contracting authority (DESNZ) is relying on the following justification from schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023:

5: The following conditions are met in relation to the public Contract-

(a) due to a particular supplier having intellectual property rights or other exclusive rights, only that supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and

(b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works.

6: The following conditions are met in relation to the public contract—

(a) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and

(b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works.

Paragraph 5 and 6: This justification applies because UKNNL holds a unique position in the market, developed through decades of knowledge and expertise in this subject matter, including experience gained by UKNNL and predecessor HMG-sponsored organisations such as BNFL. This depth of expertise enables UKNNL to collaborate effectively with academia, private organisations in the nuclear sector, and central government departments. As HMG’s Subject Matter Expert in nuclear fuels and materials, UKNNL is uniquely placed to provide DESNZ with advisory support on matters relating to the secure treatment and management of nuclear materials.

There are no reasonable alternatives capable of providing the required services to HMG with the same level of assurance and confidence.