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The UK's Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has awarded places on a contract framework to provide specialist nuclear technical services to the Ministry of Defence.

The Nuclear Technical Support Provider (NTSP) framework lasts seven years, with the option of a further three years. It will deliver specialist nuclear technical services valued between £250 million and £400 million to support DIO, Navy Command and other MOD organisations.

The three winners – the ACA (Atkins Cavendish Alliance), KAD (KBR, Assystem, Doosan Babcock) and Nuvia – were selected following a procurement process which included a measurement of collaboration and behaviours, DIO said.

The framework will support the Clyde Infrastructure Programme (CIP) and wider Royal Navy and defence requirements. Its primary focus will be on delivering the refurbishment and upgrade of critical infrastructure at HMNB Clyde, the Royal Navy’s main base in Scotland.

HMNB Clyde is home to the core of the Submarine Service, including the UK's nuclear deterrent, and the new generation of hunter-killer submarines.

“The NTSP is vitally important to the delivery of our major infrastructure programme and wider operations at HMNB Clyde," said Charles Hoskins, director of DIO’s Clyde Infrastructure Programme.

Hoskins said DIO is "embedding a collaborative approach" into all the work it undertakes at HMNB Clyde, and that expertise from its new partners will be crucial to success as it moves forward.

“The Clyde Infrastructure Programme represents an incredible opportunity to help shape the UK’s defence capability and further strengthen the industry’s collective expertise in delivering highly specialised nuclear services," said Andy Albutt, on behalf of the Atkins Cavendish Alliance.

“Atkins and Cavendish Nuclear are now focused on working closely alongside the DIO and our framework partners to hit the ground running as part of this select delivery team,” he added. 

KAD Nuclear, an alliance between KBR, Assystem and Doosan Babcock, brings together three global players with a rich heritage to the MOD supply chain. The alliance's strength in collaboration was developed through partnerships on projects such as the Sellafield Programme and Project Partners framework and through the delivery of services and projects across EDF's civil nuclear fleet in the UK and France.

Ian Hudson, framework director for KAD Nuclear, said: “KAD Nuclear has a clear and unique philosophy; we have the right people; we are ready to go and we will work collaboratively inside KAD and with other framework suppliers to find the best solution."

International group Nuvia described securing a place on the NTSP framework as a "fantastic achievement," which will provide the company with a long-term contract on a framework with a substantial number of opportunities.

David Field, Nuvia's business manager for defence, said: “The NTSP Framework...aligns exceptionally well with the objectives of our Business Strategy. In particular, this framework will support Nuvia's strategic objectives of enhancing business continuity through longer-term contracts and diversification into new markets with significant future potential, such as the Dockyards that service the UK’s nuclear deterrent."

“This is a unique opportunity, one that Nuvia is proud to be a part of and contribute to. We look forward to working collaboratively across the framework and becoming part of the Clyde family,” he added.

Nuvia, which has a presence in 15 countries, with a workforce of more than 3000 nuclear specialists, provides innovative solutions in EPC, engineering, services and products for nuclear and other hazardous environments. 

Photo: HMS Vigilant berthed at HMNB Clyde. [Crown Copyright/MOD 2007]

Date: Friday, 08 May 2020
Original article: neimagazine.com/news/newsmod-awards-places-on-nuclear-technical-services-framework-7912205