University Interactions - NDA Research Portfolio - Single Supplier Framework

What the buyer is asking for

The scope will include, but not limited to: 1 - Support to the development and delivery of NDA’s University Research Programme. 2 - Establishment and management of contracts with Universities on behalf of the NDA. 3 - Monitoring the impact of the NDA’s University R&D Strategy. 4 - Monitoring delivery of NDA’s PhD portfolio, including industrial supervision of Phd stutents. 5 - Support to the communication of NDA’s University Research Programme. 6 - Direct support of capability in targeted areas This procurement is looking to establish a single supplier framework for a maximum length of 4 years. (24+12+12 month term)

How this is scored

Published by the buyer. A winning response is written to these weightings, not to the question.

• 20%qualityBursary CallsTo ensure that the NDA continues to receive an influx of innovative ideas and maintain a healthy and diverse academic capability to address civil nuclear decommissioning challenges, NDA regularly issues calls for academic proposals and disseminates research outputs through mechanisms such as the annual bursary seminar and other engagement activities. Describe how your organisation/consortium would facilitate such a call, ensuring that proposed research aligns with NDA's mission, strategic objectives and research priorities.
• 20%qualityMethodologyDescribe your methodology regarding how you would provide industrial supervision of PhD students and post-doctoral researchers and how you would support, contribute to and manage the development of relevant academic research programmes. Include details of how industrial supervisors will be selected, developed, managed and performance monitored throughout the framework. The Contractor will be required to provide relevant subject matter experts with extensive knowledge of the academic research environment, as well as developing early career members of their organisation/consortium to provide resilience in this area. Describe how you will fulfil this requirement and, if necessary, work with your wider organisation/consortium to provide the range of skills and experience necessary. Explain how industrial supervisors will maintain alignment between academic outputs and NDA operational or strategic needs.
• 10%qualityContract ManagementNDA directly funded strategic University R&D is prioritised to address: • Multi-site technical needs, risks and opportunities • Support key strategic decisions • Support development of key technical skills and knowledge NDA will require the successful Provider to establish and manage contracts for academic research with Universities on its behalf. Please explain how you (and your consortium, where applicable) will establish and subsequently manage contracts for academic research (e.g. PhD studentships and Post-Doctoral Research Associate programmes) on behalf of NDA
• 10%qualityMonitor, measure and maximise the impact and valueDescribe how you would monitor, measure and maximise the impact and value of the NDA University Research Portfolio. NDA is keen to ensure that NDA-funded students obtain the best experience possible throughout their studies to improve the quality of their research output and encourage them to continue their careers in nuclear decommissioning upon completion of their PhD. Describe how your organisation would broaden the opportunities available to academics and increase retention post studies through the University Interactions Framework
• 10%qualitySocial ValueThe proposal must demonstrate how workforce inequality will be addressed both within the Tenderer's organisation (and wider consortium where applicable) and through the recruitment and support of academic researchers undertaking NDA-sponsored research.
• 30%costSchedule of rates

What you must already have

Conditions of participation. These are pass or fail, so check them before writing anything.

• economic

  As detailed within the tender requirements

• technical

  As detailed within the tender requirements

How contested is this?

Buyers publish how many bids they received. Across 90 comparable procurements we can tell you the typical field size, how often one of these goes uncontested, and whether the buyer awards on price or on quality.

Timeline

4 published dates · Europe/London

1. Tender notice publishedtoday

   21 Sept 2026, 14:31 BST
2. Clarification questions byin 18 days

   9 Oct 2026, 23:45 BST
3. Submission deadlinein 30 days

   22 Oct 2026, 11:00 BST
4. Award decision expected byin 114 days

   13 Jan 2027, 23:59 GMT

Commercial outcome and contract awards

Nothing awarded yet

Notice history

2 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender

1. Pipeline or early engagement notice14 Jul 2026, 11:18 BST066052-2026
2. Tender notice21 Sept 2026, 14:31 BST089218-2026

Documents

• Tender notice on Find a Tender