Prior information notice - Call for competition

Information

Published

Expire date: 02/08/2021

External Reference: 2021-476873

Prior information notice - Call for competition

Prior information notice

Services

This notice is a call for competition

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1)

Name and addresses

Radioactive Waste Management
8920190
Building 329, Thomson Avenue
Didcot
OX11 0GD
UK
Contact person: Barry Purdy
NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
Internet address(es):
I.3)

Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at:  
https://sharedsystems.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=13847&B=SELLAFIELD
Additional information can be obtained from
the abovementioned address:  
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted
to the abovementioned address
I.4)

Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law
I.5)

Main activity

Other activity:  Nuclear Decommissioning

Section II: Object

II.1)

Scope of the procurement

II.1.1)

Title

Sealing Deep Site Investigation Boreholes - Phase 5
Reference number:  RWM512BP
II.1.2)

Main CPV code

71332000  -  Geotechnical engineering services
II.1.3)

Type of contract

Services
II.1.4)

Short description

Radioactive Waste Management (RWM) as the authority intends to procure a partner, or a number of partners, to assist in delivering the final phase (Phase 5) of the Sealing Deep Site Investigation Boreholes project in support of the site evaluation and of the site characterisation activities in relation to its proposed programme for the siting and construction of Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) for higher activity radioactive waste.
II.1.5)

Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: 9500000.00  GBP
II.1.6)

Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: no
II.2)

Description

II.2.2)

Additional CPV code(s)

38200000  -  Geological and geophysical instruments
45000000  -  Construction work
45100000  -  Site preparation work
45120000  -  Test drilling and boring work
71000000  -  Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
71300000  -  Engineering services
71310000  -  Consultative engineering and construction services
71330000  -  Miscellaneous engineering services
71351220  -  Geological consultancy services
71510000  -  Site-investigation services
71520000  -  Construction supervision services
71540000  -  Construction management services
71900000  -  Laboratory services
73000000  -  Research and development services and related consultancy services
73200000  -  Research and development consultancy services
II.2.3)

Place of performance

NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
II.2.4)

Description of the procurement

This PIN is not being used as a call for competition. This PIN is to signal an intention to commence market engagement with those within the borehole sealing market and to alert the market to potential forthcoming tender exercises.
RWM’s working model for the proposed procurement strategy is for a single contract award with a suitably qualified contractor to deliver Phase 5. This strategy may change based upon the outcome of this market engagement and further development of the procurement strategy. The contract will be for a period of 5 years with an option to extend this for a further 2 years.
A DRAFT Contract Technical Specification and Questionnaire can be accessed by registering on the RWM procurement tendering system here: Sellafield Ltd (eu-supply.com)
For background on the borehole sealing project, please see http://rwm.nda.gov.uk/publication/sealing-deep-site-investigation-boreholes-phase-1-report-rwmd03042/ (Phase 1 output) and
http://rwm.nda.gov.uk/publication/sealing-deep-site-investigation-boreholes-phase-2-final-report/ (Phase 2 output). Activities to be included in Phase 5 will consider ‘small-scale’ laboratory work on materials such as bentonite, ‘large-scale’ laboratory work (e.g. using 20m mock-up boreholes), natural analogues (currently progressing via a series of international collaborative projects), a continuation of work on bridge plugs (a collaboration between RWM and two international waste management organisations), field demonstrations in pre-existing boreholes up to 2km deep and in underground research laboratories.
No borehole drilling will be undertaken. However, preparing a borehole for sealing may require rehabilitation, removal of abandoned in-hole equipment, milling and under-reaming of a window in borehole casing, etc. – access to coiled tubing and drill string technology is anticipated. Bentonite has already been chosen as the seal material for use in boreholes in lower strength sedimentary rocks and higher strength rocks. Bentonite will be emplaced in boreholes in Phase 5 via use of the Downhole Placement System, a tool has been developed for this project. A different approach can be followed for a borehole penetrating an evaporite layer in Phase 5.
Field demonstration work will be undertaken under CDM (2015) regulations. RWM will be the Client. Principal Designer and Principal Contractor roles will be filled by the supply chain.
II.2.6)

Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: 9500000.00  GBP
II.2.7)

Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 60
II.2.13)

Information about European Union funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no
II.2.14)

Additional information

Market engagement sessions are intended through July and August with industry experts and suppliers interested in potentially bidding for the resulting commercial agreements. If you wish to participate in these engagement sessions, could you please register your interest via the RWM Tendering Portal here:
https://sharedsystems.eu-supply.com/login.asp?B=SELLAFIELD

Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information

III.1)

Conditions for participation

III.2)

Conditions related to the contract

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1)

Description

IV.1.1)

Type of procedure

Restricted procedure
IV.1.8)

Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement : yes
IV.2)

Administrative information

IV.2.2)

Time limit for receipt of expressions of interest

Date:  02/08/2021
Local time:  12:00
IV.2.4)

Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.4)

Procedures for review

VI.4.1)

Review body

Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
London
UK
Internet address: http://www.justice.gov.uk

VI.4.2)

Body responsible for mediation procedures

Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
London
UK
Internet address: http://www.justice.gov.uk

VI.4.3)

Review procedure

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures: 
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
Any appeals should be promptly brought to the attention of the contact specified in Section I above, and will be dealt with in accordance with the requirements of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Any appeals must be brought within the timescales specified by the applicable law, including without limitation, the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. In accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the Contracting Authority will also incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period from the date information on award of contract is communicated to tenderers.
VI.4.4)

Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained

RWM
Didcot
UK