Client Partnership Framework (CPF)

AWE Plc ("AWE") is embarking on a critical transformation of its infrastructure as part of the national endeavour to support the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent. AWE has been refining and formalising a new approach to infrastructure delivery designed to drive greater consistency, pace, and long-term value.

This model is now being actively implemented. AWE is publishing this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice to inform and update the market regarding the establishment of the 16-year Client Partnership Framework (CPF).

The pre-market engagement activities covered by this notice are for consultation on specific areas as prior market engagement took place under a Prior Information Notice (PIN) 3186 issued on 22nd April 2024. The new approach is structured around an integrated model for AWE's Infrastructure Projects Delivery (IPD) portfolio.

Over the next 18 months, AWE will competitively procure or directly appoint suppliers across its three major infrastructure programmes, which will be supported by the new Client Partnership Framework (this procurement). The three major programmes are: 1) Future Materials Campus (FMC) a programme to renew existing facilities for the manufacture of nuclear components, storage of nuclear materials, provide improved science and analysis capabilities, and invest in new capabilities for nuclear material recovery.

For FMC, we are seeking professional services suppliers to support client-side delivery, and ideally those that have experience in supporting the delivery of nuclear infrastructure build and associated commissioning. 2) Future Infrastructure Programme (FIP), focusing on delivering AWE's wider infrastructure needs in relation to new office accommodation; laboratories; testing facilities, site services, and advanced manufacturing facilities. For FIP we are looking for professional services suppliers to support client-side delivery, and ideally those that have experience of supporting whole life infrastructure, including design, build, maintenance. 3) Estates and Liabilities (E&L) management.

Our sites have been operating for several decades, and as a result many facilities are reaching the end of their operational life. Liabilities management runs programmes to safely decommission and demolish these legacy facilities and manage the waste generated and are seeking suppliers with experience of the same.

CPF will support FIP, FMC and E&L by providing client management services covering engineering, programme and project management and productivity to enable AWE as the Client to plan, control and scrutinise project investments for sensitive services and works - helping AWE retain its position as an informed, intelligent client at all stages of programme delivery. Services provided under the CPF (a range of design, technical, programme management and specialist services) will support AWE to effectively oversee and scrutinise the FIP, FMC and E&L Delivery Partners and ensure that these infrastructure programmes are delivered to time, cost and quality.

Services will be required to support various programme stages including feasibility, design, development, construction and commissioning of infrastructure. As the programmes grow over the coming years, AWE is taking steps to ensure its supply chain is appropriately structured to support future delivery requirements.

The arrangement will create a client partnership to act effectively as a trusted government partner. CPF will plan and design the investment portfolio, while providing the effective oversight to delivery partners (appointed via a separate procurement exercise) for time, cost and quality.

The primary location is the Aldermaston site. The sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield are owned by the Ministry of Defence, with the management and operations carried out under contract by AWE and the nuclear site licence, environmental permits and other regulatory permissions held by AWE plc.

AWE reserves the right to instruct Suppliers to deliver services at other AWE-owned or prospective site locations. It is anticipated that duration of the CPF will be an initial term of 8 years, followed by 2 optional 4-year extension periods, exercisable at the sole discretion of AWE.

The maximum potential term of CPF is 16 years. The Framework is expected to comprise an estimated 10% of AWE's total capital investment portfolio over the period. As such, it will cover all services required by Lot 1, all services required by Lot 2 plus further integration services.