Provision of a Technical Services Framework for the Office for Nuclear Regulation

ONR is the independent UK regulator of the nuclear industry, including existing, decommissioned and new reactors. It employs more than 650 professional staff, with specialist regulatory roles (e.g. nuclear safety/security/safeguards); corporate professions including Policy and Communications, Finance, IT, and Human Resources, and other core functions.

ONR's Head Office, housing its main functions, is in Bootle, Liverpool, with two smaller offices in London and Cheltenham. ONR independently regulates nuclear safety and security at 36 nuclear licensed sites in the UK.

We also regulate transport and ensure that safeguards obligations for the UK are met. Our duty is to ensure that the nuclear industry controls its hazards effectively, has a culture of continuous improvement and maintains high standards.

The nuclear industry is undergoing rapid change and our role as a regulator is vital in ensuring new nuclear facilities are designed, built and operated to the highest standards, and in a manner that engenders public confidence. We also oversee the decommissioning of nuclear sites and cooperate with international regulators on safety and security issues of common concern, including associated research.

Our work is critical to the protection of society at large so it is important that we do it with rigour, diligence and with an appropriate level of assurance. Whilst ONR continues to invest in its staff to build capability and resilience, we also recognise the importance of operating efficiently and effectively through its relationships with stakeholders such as industry bodies, the supply chain and academic institutions to help inform our capability, research and decisions.

At present, ONR secures technical services through framework contracts with a number of specialist service providers and / or through standalone procurement activity. Following a review of its extant arrangements and to ensure effective support to its on-going regulatory activity, ONR intends to establish a new Technical Services Framework, with effect from 01 November 2026.

The Bidder Pack is available via the ONR Procurement Portal. To participate in the tendering procedure you must be registered on the ONR Procurement Portal to access the opportunity and submit a Tender Response.

You will be required to register your organisation's details, free of charge, by accessing the following link : https://onr.delta-esourcing.com/ The Authority will appoint up to five (5) suppliers to Lot 1 to provide specialist services related to the following technical disciplines: Reactor Core Physics & Fault Studies Fuel Design Probabilistic Safety Analysis (PSA) Full details of the specific requirements for each discipline is set out in Schedule A (Statement of Service Requirements).

In addition to the technical disciplines defined within this Lot, ONR may also require access to Other Specialist Services. Where appropriate, ONR reserves the right to competitively tender multi-disciplinary requirements that span one or more Lots under all relevant Lots, thereby enabling suppliers to collaborate as necessary to deliver the most effective solutions for ONR.

The Authority will appoint up to five (5) suppliers to Lot 2 to provide specialist services related to the following technical disciplines: Civil Engineering External Hazards Full details of the specific requirements for each discipline is set out in Schedule A (Statement of Service Requirements). In addition to the technical disciplines defined within this Lot, ONR may also require access to Other Specialist Services.

Where appropriate, ONR reserves the right to competitively tender multi-disciplinary requirements that span one or more Lots under all relevant Lots, thereby enabling suppliers to collaborate as necessary to deliver the most effective solutions for ONR. The Authority will appoint up to five (5) suppliers to Lot 3 to provide specialist services related to the following technical disciplines: Internal Hazards Structural Integrity Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Chemistry Criticality Radiological Protection and Emergency Planning and Response Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning Human Factors Leadership and Management for Safety (LMS), Supply Chain & Quality Protective Security Full details of the specific requirements for each discipline is set out in Schedule A (Statement of Service Requirements).

In addition to the technical disciplines defined within this Lot, ONR may also require access to Other Specialist Services. Where appropriate, ONR reserves the right to competitively tender multi-disciplinary requirements that span one or more Lots under all relevant Lots, thereby enabling suppliers to collaborate as necessary to deliver the most effective solutions for ONR.

The Authority will appoint up to five (5) suppliers to Lot 3 to provide specialist services related to the following technical disciplines: Control & Instrumentation Cyber Security Digital Engineering Full details of the specific requirements for each discipline is set out in Schedule A (Statement of Service Requirements). In addition to the technical disciplines defined within this Lot, ONR may also require access to Other Specialist Services. Where appropriate, ONR reserves the right to competitively tender multi-disciplinary requirements that span one or more Lots under all relevant Lots, thereby enabling suppliers to collaborate as necessary to deliver the most effective solutions for ONR.