Open Framework For Nuclear Technical Services
Framework Description
The United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) is re-procuring its Open Framework for Nuclear Technical Services. Its first procurement (reference NNLC631F) reached the standstill stage across ten lots in July 2026, but UKNNL decided on 17 August 2026 not to sign the contracts. Its termination notice says it will review the tender package and readvertise the opportunity later in 2026.
Context & Use Case
UKNNL uses specialist suppliers to support its nuclear technical work. The 2026 tender split the requirement into ten lots, from health physics and radiological protection, human factors and criticality safety to nuclear safety cases, fire safety, environmental, quality assurance, security and a multi-disciplinary lot. UKNNL has said it will review the tender package before readvertising, so the lots and call-off rules may change.
Scope of Services
Health physics and radiological protection advice Human factors Radiological and chemotoxic assessment Criticality safety and shielding Nuclear safety cases Fire safety (nuclear and conventional) Environmental, quality and assurance, and security Multi-disciplinary support
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
Suits nuclear technical consultancies and specialist firms in radiological protection, safety cases, criticality, fire, environmental, quality and security work. No framework is in place yet: the 2026 award was withdrawn before contracts were signed, so all suppliers, including those named at standstill, will need to bid when UKNNL readvertises.
Buyer Benefits
An open framework would let UKNNL add suppliers at reopenings rather than re-procuring from scratch, keeping access to scarce nuclear skills over a long term. Ranking suppliers on technical quality and allowing direct award to the highest-ranked firm, as the 2026 tender proposed, would let UKNNL commission urgent technical work quickly.
Next Steps
Watch Find a Tender for UKNNL's readvertised procurement, which its termination notice expects later in 2026. Use the time to choose the disciplines you would target, and prepare nuclear sector case studies, quality certifications, security clearance details and technical CVs. If you bid in 2026, review your earlier submission so you can strengthen it rather than reuse it unchanged.
How Athena Can Help
A readvertised tender gives every bidder a fresh start, including firms that missed the first round. Athena's bid management service can plan your response early, build win themes around your nuclear expertise and run a Bid Health Check on your draft.
Our bid/no-bid advice helps you decide which disciplines to pursue when UKNNL republishes the requirement. If it is set up again as an open framework, our framework application specialists can also prepare your submissions for later reopenings.
