Procurement at Nuclear Waste Services
Details of Nuclear Waste Services’ purchasing arrangements and information for those looking to become a supplier or contractor.
Nuclear Waste Services
Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). We are tasked with managing the UK’s nuclear waste, safely and securely for generations to come.
NWS’ mission can only be achieved through strong partnership with the supply chain and here you will find information about how to search and apply for opportunities at NWS.
NWS Procurement Principles
NWS conducts its commercial activities in line with UK public procurement legislation and associated Procurement Policy Notes. NWS procures a variety of supplies, services and works, taking into consideration the value of the proposed contract, and whether a suitable commercial arrangement such as a pan-government framework or dynamic purchasing system already exists that NWS can utilise.
How to do business with us
Any supplier who meets the stated requirements and criteria of an opportunity is permitted to submit a tender proposal. NWS does not have a preferred supplier list.
There are several ways to search for contract opportunities with NWS:
1. Atamis
Procurement opportunities with a cumulative value of over £30,000 (including VAT) are sourced via our eSourcing system, Atamis. All tender submissions must be submitted using this system.
Atamis is a shared platform used across the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority group. To register, access and search for live opportunities at NWS and across the NDA group, please visit one-nda.force.com. Atamis is NWS’ chosen eSourcing platform.
See our guidelines on how to draft an effective tender proposal.
2. Contracts Finder/Find a Tender
New procurement opportunities valued at £30,000 (including VAT) or higher subject to PA23 Regulations are published on the Government’s Contracts Finder website. When they are below Government Procurement Agreement thresholds (Annex A - 10, 11 & 12) and on both websites when above threshold.
3. Business and Technical Services Marketplace
The Business and Technical Services (BATS) Marketplace was established in 2019, and is operated by NWS on behalf of the entire NDA Group, to deliver professional services across 13 business categories listed on the Contract Award Notice (II.2.4).
BATS uses the Dynamic Purchasing System procedure, which offers a simple and efficient procurement route for both buyers and suppliers. For further information, please access the Atamis system and navigate to ‘View Live Opportunities’, searching for reference C5590. This will remain live and available for new Supplier registrations until February 2029.
4. Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Agreements
On 1st April 2026 CCS became part of Government Commercial Agency (GCA), existing CCS Agreements will continue, any new Agreements will be referred to as GCA Agreements and will be managed in the same way as CCS has been.
Where appropriate, NWS will procure goods and services through an available CCS / GCA Agreement. GCA has over 100 different agreements covering a wide range of goods and services.
All NWS procurements which meet the required threshold will be published on our eSourcing platform.
Further information on how to supply goods and services to the public sector through GCA is available online.
Procurement opportunities
NWS’ Procurement Pipeline will allow you to view all potential procurement opportunities available in the short to medium term, noting that the information reflects the anticipated requirements whilst making no commitment that:
- the requirements identified in its pipeline will be procured
- the value of any contract will be as stated
- the timing of any future procurement exercises will be as stated
The NWS Procurement Pipeline is published on a quarterly basis.
Guidelines for an effective tender
How you prepare and present your tender proposal can be a crucial factor in securing a contract. You should:
- read the invitation to tender (ITT) properly – understand fully what is being asked of you
- respond in the required format – follow the layout requested, keep to the order for documents if one is given, and ensure you submit via Atamis
- give full answers – ensure you answer the question asked
- plan ahead to ensure you meet the stated deadline
Policies and Guidance relevant to the NWS Supply Chain
Introducing the Thrive Platform for NWS Social Value Reporting
As part of our commitment to transparency and accountability in social value reporting, and to meet government procurement guidelines, we are now introducing the Thrive Platform for all our suppliers to submit their social value data. This system simplifies data collection, improves reporting consistency, and assists with ensuring compliance with our reporting obligations.
All new, in scope contracts will include a requirement for suppliers to submit monthly social value data using the Thrive Platform. Full system training and guides to support you through the submission process will be provided. If you have questions or would like further information regarding above, please contact the Social Impact team.
SME action plan
In line with the NDA’s SME action plan, NWS maintains an ongoing commitment to ensuring that SMEs have the necessary information and support to bid for our contracts. We commit to increasing SME spend over the next three years, utilising the changes under the Procurement Act 2023 to support SME engagement.
NWS’ SME spend data is measured annually and published by the NDA as a collective.
Successful working partnerships
NWS’ priority is to develop a supply chain which works with us in the delivery of safe, sustainable nuclear waste solutions which provide value for money for the UK taxpayer throughout the commercial lifecycle.
We are also seeking to rationalise and diversify the size and scope of our supply chain, whilst developing improved working relationships and longer-term supply chain planning.
As part of this endeavour NWS are mapping and monitoring our supply chain on a continual basis using dedicated supply chain mapping applications. As part of contract management, suppliers may be asked to participate and provide supply chain mapping information.
Transparency
Spend and expense data over £25,000
Spend data for NWS on payments of £25,000 and above made to suppliers and other recipients is published on a quarterly basis.
Payment performance report
In accordance with PA23 regulations, from April 2026 NWS will publish a UK17 – Payments Compliance Notice bi-annually on Find a Tender (select payments compliance procurement stage). We will continue to publish our payment performance report here on a quarterly basis for the foreseeable future.
The figures included in the report highlight NWS’ promptness in paying our suppliers and are expressed in numbers and values of payments made within 5 days of due date, within 30 days and payments made over 30 days late.
To facilitate prompt payment, it is essential that all invoices be submitted to accountspayable@nuclearwasteservices.uk referencing an official Purchase Order (PO) number which has been provided by NWS’ point of contact for the requirement. Please confirm the PO details with your point of contact before commencing services, delivering goods, or submitting an invoice as failure to include a valid PO number (even when a contract is in place) may result in the invoice being rejected.
Get in touch
If you have any queries or wish to contact the NWS Commercial team, please email procurement@nuclearwasteservices.uk
Nuclear Waste Services
Herdus House
Westlakes Science & Technology Park
Moor Row
Cumbria
CA24 3HU
Contact form https://www.gov.uk/gov...