Nuclear Justification Framework

Defra is currently considering options for the procurement of expert consultancy services to support the assessment of industry applications for Regulatory Justification of new nuclear technologies. This will enable Defra to fulfil its obligations as Justifying Authority under the Justification of Practices Involving Ionising Radiation Regulations 2004 (1769/2004), which require functional separation between DESNZ (Department of Energy Security and Net Zero) as the department promoting nuclear technology and the Justifying Authority.

The option to approach the market with a tender for a dedicated multi-supplier framework is being considered alongside other potential routes to market. Defra wish to undertake a market engagement market exercise to better understand the interest, capability and capacity of the supply market to provide these services in any future invitation to tender.

Examples of the type of services expected to be required include ongoing technical advisory, analytical and consultancy support throughout the multi-month assessment of a Justification application, and/or shorter projects which may involve written advice and assessments of the appropriacy of the definition(s) of a class or type of practice of new nuclear technologies, analysis of specific issues raised by consultation respondents or comparison of specific aspects of current and previous applications.

Contractors will need to assess applications in respect of their important economic, energy security, carbon reduction and other benefits and on a wide range of detriments, which include radiological detriment to health, safety and security and environmental impacts, covering operation, waste disposal and decommissioning.

Contractors will therefore need to have expertise in the following areas:

1. Economic analysis and appropriate knowledge of the energy sector, to enable effective assessment of how the class or type of practice contributes to the energy mix in UK policy.
2. Broad and deep knowledge of nuclear energy sector, to enable effective assessment based on fully informed understanding of technologies.
3. Expert formal consultancy advice, with a view to working in close partnership with Defra's Nuclear Justification team.

More information on the services required and the market engagement exercised can be found in the attached P33774 PIN Further Information document

To indicate your organisation's interest in tendering for a future contract, you are invited to complete a short questionnaire which is attached to this notice.

This PIN does not constitute a formal notice to tender and there is no guarantee Defra will proceed with an external tendering exercise to create a 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 or evaluation.