Open24 days left · closes 11am, Thursday 22 October 2026

University Interactions - NDA Research Portfolio - Single Supplier Framework

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority · Central government

In brief

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is looking for suppliers for research work (UK-wide).

It is a framework worth up to £16,000,000 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 2 years, up to 4 years with extensions, starting 1 April 2027.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Bids close at 11am, Thursday 22 October 2026.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Key dates

Questions by: 11:45pm, Friday 9 October 2026
Bids by: 11am, Thursday 22 October 2026

How bids are scored

Bursary Calls 20% · Methodology 20% · Contract Management 10% · Monitor, measure and maximise the impact and value 10% · Social Value 10% · Schedule of rates 30%

Quality matters most. You can win without being the cheapest.

Competition

Usually high: a median of 7 bids per contract for research contracts across the UK (from 297 awards in the last 12 months).

Framework

Winning puts you on a list of suppliers the buyer can call on; it does not guarantee work. The £16,000,000 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.

The buyer expects to buy this again around September 2030.

What the notice says

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)

Should I bid?

Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.

Can you prepare a good bid in 24 days?Leave time for clarification questions and sign-off.
Is a contract of about £16,000,000 a size you can deliver?Buyers often check that your turnover is comfortably larger than the yearly contract value.
Can you deliver in locations across the UK?Check the delivery locations in the tender documents.
Can you meet what the notice mentions: Framework agreement?The tender documents will say exactly what is required.
Are you registered on the Central Digital Platform?You need to be registered to take part under the Procurement Act 2023.
The buyer says this suits small businesses.A good sign if you are an SME, but check the requirements.

How to bid

Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.
Send clarification questions before 11:45pm, Friday 9 October 2026.
Make sure your bid arrives before 11am, Thursday 22 October 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.

Timeline

21 September 2026Tender notice · UK4, notice 089218-2026

About the buyer

Nuclear Decommissioning AuthorityLast 12 months

Procurements

Awards

Suppliers it has used most for research

All tenders and awards from Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

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From notice 089218-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 21 September 2026. We last checked for changes on 27 September 2026.