Open Framework for Nuclear Technical Services

This notice is to commence the start of the standstill period for the establishment of the Open Framework for Nuclear Technical Services.

UKNNL is establishing an Open Framework to support with the supply of Nuclear Technical Services for the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory.

The framework will run from September 2026 until September 2030 with the option to extend the framework by a further 4 years, until July 2034.

The Framework will reopen once within the first 3-year period, and UKNNL will open it again at least once in the remaining 5-year contract term as required under Regulation 49 of the Procurement Act 2023.

UKNNL may opt to open the framework for applications earlier than required, although not likely to be ever more than two times per year.

Re-opening may be in relation to the framework agreement in its entirety or in relation to specific lots. Earlier re-opening could be triggered by a range of factors, which may include but are not limited to: Supply & demand changes, Changes to requirements, Changes to framework lotting structure, Changes to rate card structures, Changes to qualitative assessment, Changes to framework management, Addition of new framework lots, Changes to demand, volumes, values and geographical coverage.

Suppliers are permitted to amend their technical and commercial response at each re-opening or can choose to allow their previous submission to be considered.

The framework has the ability to award contracts through mini competition or direct award. Call-off contracts can be either fixed cost or cost reimbursable.

Mini-Competition

Where mini-competition is used, this is to be via the e-tender portal and must include all suppliers on the applicable lot. Each mini competition will be restricted to only one Lot. At mini-competition, suppliers can be asked to re-price and may offer discounted rates if they choose to, but may not charge more than the pricing which was submitted at the latest round of framework qualification. Should requirements at call-off not have been priced at point of framework creation, mini-competition should be held allowing all suppliers in the applicable Lot to price, accordingly, providing the additional requirement fits within the overall subject matter of the applicable Lot. Mini-competition criteria must not repeat qualification questions. The evaluation criteria must however comprise of the following, with weighting allowances adhered to:

Evaluation Criteria Range

Pricing 5-90%

Technical 5-90%

Social Value 5-90%

Mini competitions can be ran using both the Open Procedure and the Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023, where the call-off is above threshold.

Direct Award

There are two direct award mechanisms under this Framework Agreement:

1. Direct award to the highest technically ranked supplier.
2. Direct award using the desktop calculator

Direct award to the highest technically ranked suppliers Admittance to the framework is via a 100% technical evaluation. Framework suppliers will be ranked in order of their tendered technical score. Procurement Leads may direct award to the highest ranked supplier. If the highest ranked supplier is unable to provide the requested role UKNNL will award to the next highest ranked supplier who can provide that role. UKNNL is required to contract with the highest ranked supplier which can provide the required role, unless there is a preexisting relationship with any of the other suppliers on the applicable Framework, which would mean a Direct Award to that supplier is in the public interest. This could be because it offers value for money or a saving in terms of resource, or would cause disproportionate disruption to switch supplier. The decision made to award outside of the ranking structure will only be made where it delivers value for money and maximises public benefit.

Direct award using the Desktop Calculator

This direct award mechanism allows UKNNL to split the evaluation criteria between price and technical, based upon the requirements of each call-off. The desktop calculator will calculate the Most Advantageous Tenderer, taking into account each suppliers Technical Score, and the rate provided for the role being contracted for. Direct award can be used for both a single role and multiple role call-offs. The rates are assessed using the relative pricing equation: (lowest tendered rate / tenders' rate) x percentage weighting applied Where multiple rates on the desktop calculator are used, the rate in the equation will be the average of the rates selected. Once the calculator has ranked the suppliers, the highest ranked supplier should be contacted. Should the supplier be unable to fulfill the roles required, to the required clearance level or in the time-frame required, UKNNL will move down the rankings to the next highest ranked supplier who can fulfill the requirements. The weighting between Price and Technical will be dependent upon the specifics of each call-off but must be within the range set out below.

Evaluation Criteria Range

Pricing 5-95%

Technical 5-95%