United Kingdom343 days leftOpen

Electrical Infrastructure Upgrade Framework

Tender Overview

LOCATION

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

VALUE

£780,000,000

DEADLINE

January 11, 2027 at 00:00

CATEGORY

Other

CPV CODE

31200000

REFERENCE

001900-2026

Project Timeline

Contact Information

View Original

Original Tender Description

AWE Plc ("AWE") is embarking on a critical transformation of its infrastructure as part of the national endeavour to support the UK's nuclear deterrent and has been refining and formalising a new approach to infrastructure delivery, designed to drive greater consistency, pace, and long-term value. This model is being largely implemented via 3 programmes: - Future Materials Campus: 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. - Future Infrastructure Programme: a programme that focuses on delivering wider infrastructure needs e.g. new office accommodation; laboratories; testing facilities, site services, and advanced manufacturing facilities. - Estates and Liabilities management: on-going liabilities management to run programmes that safely decommission and demolish legacy facilities and manage generated waste via seeking suppliers with experience of the same. This framework focuses on upgrading the electrical network under FIP, with the possibility of some works supporting the Future Materials Campus. Strategic aspirations are to upgrade and modernise AWE's electrical network infrastructure, improve network resilience and obsolescence management, to benefit from modern standards and requirements, while reducing the cost base of new infrastructure. The Electrical Infrastructure Upgrade Programme will grow significantly over the coming years, and AWE looks to appoint 2 partners through this procurement, with the capacity and capability to meet the programme's increasing demand. The Framework is a zero-value contract against which AWE may call off work for the Electrical Infrastructure Upgrade programme. The Framework will provide no guarantee of any work to any Supplier, it is a contract mechanism against which AWE may (but is not obliged) to call off work from the relevant Supplier for the Electrical Infrastructure Upgrade Framework. Full Framework Information "ITP Volume 2 Framework Specification" will be available to Suppliers that have registered and been granted access, as below. AWE will award a place on the Framework to the 2 highest scoring suppliers, that offer the most advantageous tenders that is, the tenders that balance price with quality, technical capability, and sustainability. There will be a transparent mechanism to award work under the Framework as set out in the procurement documents Bidders should download, complete and sign the Electrical Infrastructure Non-Disclosure Agreement and Tender Security Questionnaire available from the Defence Sourcing Portal here https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=60647 and return these by email to: electricalinfrastructure@awe.co.uk. The deadline for submission of these documents is 12:00 on 23rd January 2026 in order to gain access to the Invitation to Participate and associated procurement documents. Once AWE has reviewed and signed the documents where appropriate, Bidders will be invited to the Invitation to Participate stage of the procurement where they will have access to the detailed documentation. A list of the documentation to be provided at the different stages of this procurement will be found in Appendix A of 'EIU - ITP - About the Procurement' and further details of the assessment approach that will apply under this procurement, will be found in "EIU - ITP Vol1. Instruction for Suppliers."
⚠️

MANDATORY EXCLUSION GROUNDS

  • No specific mandatory exclusion grounds are explicitly stated in this announcement.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Must download, complete, and sign the Electrical Infrastructure Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
  • Must download, complete, and sign the Tender Security Questionnaire.
  • Must return the completed and signed NDA and Tender Security Questionnaire by email to electricalinfrastructure@awe.co.uk.
  • Must submit the NDA and Tender Security Questionnaire by 12:00 on 23rd January 2026.
  • Must register and be granted access to the Invitation to Participate (ITP) and associated procurement documents.
  • Must have the capacity and capability to meet the programme's increasing demand for electrical infrastructure upgrade works.
  • Must be one of the 2 highest scoring suppliers to be awarded a place on the framework.
🔧

TECHNICAL CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Must demonstrate technical capability related to upgrading and modernising AWE's electrical network infrastructure.
  • Must demonstrate technical capability related to improving network resilience.
  • Must demonstrate technical capability related to obsolescence management.
  • Must demonstrate technical capability to benefit from modern standards and requirements.
  • Must have the capacity and capability to meet the programme's increasing demand for electrical infrastructure upgrade works.
💰

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Must offer a tender that balances price with quality, technical capability, and sustainability.
📋

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • Submit the Electrical Infrastructure Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
  • Submit the Tender Security Questionnaire.
  • Submit the NDA and Tender Security Questionnaire via email to electricalinfrastructure@awe.co.uk.
  • Submit the NDA and Tender Security Questionnaire by 12:00 on 23rd January 2026.
  • Submit a tender that balances price, quality, technical capability, and sustainability (for the main ITP stage).
  • Adhere to the assessment approach detailed in "EIU - ITP Vol1. Instruction for Suppliers" (once accessed).
  • Provide documentation as listed in Appendix A of 'EIU - ITP - About the Procurement' (once accessed).

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PDF
Official PDF Version
PDF001900-2026_official.pdf
Summary:
AWE seeks two partners for a zero-value framework to upgrade its electrical infrastructure, requiring bidders to first submit an NDA and Tender Security Questionnaire by January 23, 2026, to access full tender documents and be evaluated on price, quality, technical capability, and sustainability.

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75
Good

Tender Quality Score

This tender for a substantial electrical infrastructure upgrade framework is well-described and transparent regarding its high-level objectives and evaluation criteria, but requires an initial NDA and security questionnaire to access full documentation. While legally sound for a sensitive project, it could enhance immediate transparency and detail on sustainability aspects.

Score Breakdown

Legal Compliance75/100

The tender clearly defines the procedure type as 'Restricted' and 'Competitive flexible procedure' with an appropriate CPV code. There are no reported disputes. The requirement for an NDA and Tender Security Questionnaire for access to full documents is acceptable for a project of national security significance. However, the initial announcement lacks explicit mandatory exclusion grounds, which are standard in public procurement and should be clearly stated or referenced.

No specific mandatory exclusion grounds explicitly stated in the initial announcement.
Clarity80/100

The description of the project, its strategic aspirations, and the intent to appoint two partners for a zero-value framework is clear and unambiguous. Evaluation criteria (price, quality, technical capability, and sustainability) are explicitly stated. While AI-extracted requirements are clear, the full detailed requirements and performance conditions are gated behind the NDA/TSQ process.

Detailed technical specifications and performance conditions are not immediately available, requiring access to further documents.
Completeness70/100

All basic information, including title, reference, organization, estimated value, duration, and key deadlines, is provided. CPV and NUTS codes are assigned. However, the full suite of tender documents is not directly attached or immediately accessible, requiring an initial submission process. The absence of explicit mandatory exclusion grounds in the initial announcement also impacts completeness.

Full tender documents are not immediately accessible without an initial submission.
Mandatory exclusion grounds are not explicitly detailed in the initial announcement.
Fairness85/100

The estimated value is disclosed, and evaluation criteria are stated as objective (balancing price, quality, technical capability, and sustainability). Requirements appear generic and not tailored to a specific company. However, full document access is restricted by an NDA/TSQ, which, while justifiable for national security, limits immediate equal access. The initial submission via email is less aligned with modern e-procurement for equal access.

Restricted access to full tender documents via NDA/TSQ.
Initial NDA/TSQ submission via email rather than a fully integrated e-procurement platform.
Practicality65/100

A document URL to the Defence Sourcing Portal is provided for initial downloads. The contract start date and duration are clearly specified. While the main tender is likely via the portal, the initial NDA/TSQ submission is via email, which is less practical than a fully electronic process. The 'zero-value framework' nature, while common, requires bidders to understand the call-off mechanism without guaranteed work.

Initial NDA/TSQ submission via email is not fully integrated into an e-procurement system.
The 'zero-value framework' nature may present practical considerations for bidders regarding guaranteed work.
Data Consistency90/100

All key fields are populated, and there are no reported disputes or suspensions. The dates provided (NDA/TSQ deadline, main submission deadline, contract start date) are logical and consistent with the overall timeline of a restricted framework agreement.

Sustainability50/100

Sustainability is explicitly included as an evaluation criterion, which is a positive aspect. However, the tender description does not provide specific details on green procurement standards, social aspects, or innovation focus beyond a general aspiration for modern standards. It is not EU funded.

Lack of specific details on green procurement standards, social aspects, or innovation focus.

Strengths

Clear and detailed description of the project's scope and strategic importance.
High estimated value and long duration indicate a significant, long-term opportunity.
Explicitly stated evaluation criteria (price, quality, technical capability, sustainability).
Good data consistency with all key fields populated and logical dates.
Use of a dedicated sourcing portal (Defence Sourcing Portal) for document access.

Concerns

Full tender documents are not immediately accessible, requiring an NDA and security questionnaire submission via email.
Lack of explicit mandatory exclusion grounds in the initial public announcement.
Limited detail on specific green procurement, social, or innovation aspects beyond 'sustainability' as an evaluation criterion.
The initial NDA/TSQ submission via email is less efficient than a fully integrated e-procurement system.
The 'zero-value framework' nature, while common, means no guaranteed work, which bidders must carefully consider.

Recommendations

1. Ensure that the full Invitation to Participate (ITP) documents, once accessed, provide comprehensive and explicit details on mandatory exclusion grounds, detailed evaluation methodology, and specific performance conditions.
2. For future tenders, integrate the initial NDA/TSQ submission process directly into the e-procurement portal for a more streamlined and secure experience.
3. Provide more specific details on sustainability requirements, including potential green procurement standards, social clauses, or innovation incentives, within the full tender documentation to encourage broader participation and impact.

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Tender Quality Score
75/ 100 · Good

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