Corporate report

NDA SME Action Plan 2027-28

Updated 19 August 2026

1. How we are backing your business

Through Backing your business: our plan for small and medium-sized businesses, we are delivering the most comprehensive package of support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a generation.

Growth is this government’s number one mission and SMEs are the engine room. Our plan is to make the UK the best place to start and grow a business, with a culture that supports entrepreneurship in every community and high street.

We’re delivering:

• the most significant legislation to tackle late payments in over 25 years, giving the UK the strongest legal framework on late payments in the G7
• a new Business Growth Service to simplify finding advice and support, including a new streamlined digital offer – Business.gov.uk, ending the chop and change of previous government business support programmes
• a package of support tailored to high streets to make it easier for SMEs to set up shop, ranging from a new licensing framework to targeted funding for places
• a massive £4 billion finance boost to increase access to finance for entrepreneurs – to inspire the next generation of small business owners, make the UK the best place to start and grow a business, and build a culture that celebrates and champions entrepreneurs

We also committed to making SMEs a national priority, ensuring they have a fair opportunity to win public contracts and setting ambitious SME targets for each department. Each departmental SME action plan sets out the steps government departments are taking to maximise SME and start-up spend across their department and wider agencies. These plans also include departmental targets for direct spend with SMEs and the actions being taken to remove and reduce barriers to SMEs bidding for government contracts.

The Procurement Act 2023 creates a more simple and transparent procurement regime, making it easier for SMEs to do business with the government. DBT’s action plan sets out why SMEs should work with us, where to find opportunities, and the actions we are taking to reduce barriers for SMEs in bidding for work.

The plan is monitored through an annual publication (as a minimum) of our direct spend with SMEs as a percentage of our total procurement spend.

SMEs are suppliers that have fewer than 250 staff, and have a turnover of an amount less than or equal to £44 million or a balance sheet total of an amount less than or equal to £38 million. For more information, see Clause 123 of the Procurement Act 2023.

2. Foreword

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is responsible for one of Europe’s largest nuclear decommissioning and environmental restoration programmes. Our mission—to clean up the UK’s earliest nuclear sites safely, securely, and cost-effectively—depends on capable and diverse supply chains.

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are a vital part of this effort, providing critical goods and services, delivering value for money, and driving innovation. Partnering with SMEs also plays a key role in supporting local economies and communities, with the NDA group operating across some of the most remote areas of England, Scotland, and Wales.

Whilst SMEs already comprise a significant element of our supply chain, we recognise that bidding for work in the nuclear sector can appear challenging to some smaller organisations.

Therefore, this Action Plan outlines the NDA group’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that SMEs have the necessary information and support to bid for NDA group contracts. It also sets out our approach to increasing SME spend over the next two years, including how we will use the changes under the Procurement Act 2023 to support SME engagement.

This Action Plan provides a flexible framework for the NDA group’s Commercial function to continuously identify new opportunities, actively listen to SME feedback, and implement changes that promote opportunities for SME involvement.

Through the implementation of these actions, the NDA has set a target that 9% of all supply chain spend across the NDA group during the 2027/28 financial year will be direct spend with SMEs.

If you have suggestions on how we can further strengthen our approach, please contact us at CommercialStandards@nda.gov.uk.

We welcome your input and look forward to engaging with you.

Frank Rainford, Interim NDA Group Chief Commercial Officer

3. Department overview

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is a non-departmental public body created by the Energy Act 2004. We are sponsored and funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). 

We are responsible for keeping the UK’s former nuclear sites and facilities, once at the heart of supporting national defence and generating nuclear power for electricity, safe and secure, as we decommission them and overcome the challenges of managing nuclear waste. It is one of the most important environmental programmes in the world, protecting people and the planet.

The NDA group is made up of the NDA and its four key component parts:

• Sellafield
• Nuclear Restoration Services
• Nuclear Waste Services
• Nuclear Transport Solutions.

Our other subsidiaries include Rutherford Indemnity, NDA Archives, NDA Properties and Energus.

Our 17,000 strong, skilled group workforce works hard on behalf of the UK, using innovation and technology to overcome the challenges of identifying and removing nuclear waste from ageing facilities, so we can store it safely and permanently dispose of it. The work is complex and challenging. Dealing with all the waste, dismantling hundreds of buildings and facilities, and building a geological disposal facility (GDF), to dispose of the most radioactive nuclear waste, will take decades. However, by investing today in the challenges left over from the UK’s proud nuclear history, we can remove the burden for future generations and continue to deliver social and environmental benefits through our jobs, knowledge, skills, technology and social investment. Our team is working with partners in research and industry to drive innovation, using cutting-edge technology to reduce hazards and risks, so that over time the sites can be used again for worthwhile purposes.

4. Why SMEs should work with us

Working with the NDA group offers significant benefits for SMEs, providing access to long-term, high-value contracts within one of Europe’s largest and most complex decommissioning programmes.

The NDA ensures a transparent and fair procurement process, creating equal opportunities for suppliers of all sizes. SMEs can build credibility, gain experience in highly regulated environments, and develop innovative solutions through collaboration with industry leaders. The NDA actively supports SME participation by setting spend targets, hosting networking events and encouraging Tier 1 contractors for our larger contracts to engage with smaller businesses.

SMEs are essential to the NDA group and the wider nuclear sector due to their agility, innovation, and specialist expertise. They enhance the resilience and diversity of the supply chain, often delivering niche capabilities that complement larger contractors. Their involvement supports local economies, particularly in communities near nuclear sites, and contributes to the NDA’s social value goals.

5. Links to departmental commercial opportunities

Direct Opportunities

One of the most important things contracting authorities can do is to provide the market with information about current and future public contract opportunities by publishing a forward-looking procurement pipeline. The Procurement Act 2023 achieves this by requiring the publication of pipeline notices in certain circumstances. This is of particular benefit to SMEs, as it provides them with time to plan for future procurement opportunities, ensuring a competitive and diverse market.

Pipeline notices (UK1) for requirements over £2 million are published on Find a Tender.

Our pipeline notices are a forward look for 18 months and are reviewed and updated regularly.

Read about how to look at the notices, notifications and the use of data

Search and apply for contract opportunities

Joining Frameworks or DPS/DMS

Joining a commercial agreement, such as a framework, a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS), or a Dynamic Market (DM) can put SMEs in front of buyers actively seeking their services.

• Framework agreements establish terms for future contracts, providing a pool of pre-selected suppliers from which public sector buyers can call off orders.
• DPSs/DMSs provide an “always open” electronic list of pre-qualified suppliers that public sector buyers use to quickly and flexibly purchase goods, services, or works.

Search the Crown Commercial Service commercial agreement pipeline for upcoming agreements

In addition, the NDA group operates several DPSs designed to support SME engagement, including the Engineering and Technology Solutions Marketplace and the Liaise, Innovate, Network, Collaborate (LINC). These platforms have been designed to support the UK SME agenda and to provide direct access for SMEs to engage with the NDA group and contribute to its mission.

Please note that only suppliers registered on the NDA group’s eSourcing platform, Atamis are eligible to participate in these opportunities. To ensure you are considered, we encourage you to register for an NDA group Atamis account here.

Joining a Supply Chain

Joining our supply chain offers SMEs a valuable opportunity to access larger government contracts that may otherwise be out of reach. This engagement not only facilitates collaboration with major contractors, but also provides meaningful experience working within our programmes and frameworks.

We encourage SMEs to monitor our procurement pipeline and upcoming market engagement events on the Find a Tender service to identify opportunities to be part of the supply chain for NDA group contracts.

Additionally, many industry bodies and trade associations regularly promote supply chain opportunities, providing further avenues for SMEs to connect with larger frameworks and expand their reach.

Further information on how to do business with our department

6. Departmental supplier events

As a group, we organise a range of events aimed at uniting stakeholders from across the nuclear decommissioning sector, with a strong emphasis on SME supply chain engagement and innovation. The following events are a variety of in-person and online webinars which have been particularly well received, and we are committed to maintaining this high level of engagement moving forward:

• NDA Supply Chain Event
• Supply Chain Forums – For future events click here
• Prime Contractors Workshops
• Supply Chain Bulletins
• Roundtables
• Special Sessions

7. Our actions and milestones

Our action plan aims to reduce barriers to SMEs and encourage SMEs to work with us. There are 4 key areas of focus to encourage greater SME participation:

1. Enhanced visibility and accessibility of NDA group opportunities for SMEs
2. Fostering a culture of continuous improvement, reinforcing best practices in Prompt Payment
3. Enhancing internal processes to effectively embed SME related benefits
4. Leveraging PA23 flexibilities to enhance SME access to participation through reserving below-threshold procurements.

Procurement at NDA

Procurement at Sellafield

Procurement at NRS

Procurement at NWS

Improvement action	Benefit to SMEs	Milestones
Enhance the visibility and accessibility of the NDA group’s procurement opportunities for SMEs	Improved visibility and accessibility of NDA group opportunities directly benefits SMEs by helping them identify and prepare for relevant tenders and frameworks more effectively. This clarity lowers barriers to entry, making it easier for smaller businesses to navigate procurement processes and compete on a level playing field. It also enables earlier engagement with larger contractors, opening doors to collaboration and subcontracting. Over time, these advantages help SMEs build experience, strengthen their credentials, and grow their presence within the nuclear sector.	Ensure the publication of Pipeline Notices on Find a Tender by 26th May each financial year, with notices updated throughout the year. Facilitate networking and promotional opportunities through the regular delivery of local and national supply chain events.
Fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability through reinforcing best practices in payment performance	Expanding the scope of payment performance oversight through targeted spot checks helps ensure that SMEs receive timely and fair payments, even on contracts not covered by existing policy. This approach promotes greater consistency across procurement practices and supports SME financial stability and growth by reducing the risks associated with delayed payments.	Use of spot checks on PA23 Contracts above £5m in compliance with PPN 021, with targeted spot checking of other contracts where a specific risk is identified.
Enhance internal processes to effectively embed SME-related benefits outlined in PA23	The NDA group can leverage PA23 to simplify procurement policies and processes in ways that directly benefit SMEs. By adopting more flexible procedures, streamlining internal workflows, and embedding SME-friendly practices, the NDA group can reduce barriers to entry and make public procurement more accessible and deliver better outcomes for the UK taxpayer.	The NDA group will ensure guidance and templates require commercial practitioners to demonstrate how SME involvement has been built into each procurement process. Commercial assurance processes will test whether sourcing strategies have considered opportunities for supporting SME involvement.
Leveraging PA23 flexibilities to enhance SME access and participation through reserving below-threshold procurements	Reserving below-threshold procurements for SMEs increases their access to public contracts by reducing competition from larger firms and simplifying the bidding process. This approach lowers administrative barriers, boosts confidence in engaging with government opportunities and supports SME growth by providing a platform to build experience and credibility.	The NDA group will adopt a coordinated group-wide approach to using the flexibilities available under the PA 23, specifically by reserving below-threshold procurements for SMEs, where appropriate.

8. Case studies

NDA Case Study: Thomas Graham & Sons Ltd

Thomas Graham has been trading in the industrial supply and steel sectors since 1892. They were originally a small ironmongers shop and steel warehouse on Lowther Street in Carlisle serving the Cumbrian community. This has since expanded to branches in Carlisle, Egremont, Kendal, Morecambe, and more recently, Barrow.  

Thomas Graham’s commenced its relationship with the NDA in 2003 through the award of a Steel supply agreement to Sellafield.  From the commencement of this relationship, Thomas Graham has continuously evolved its business to further understand the NDA and the nuclear industry. Through this long-standing, yet evolving capability and nuclear knowledge, built through various engagements, Thomas Graham has positioned itself to access multiple contract opportunities from the wider NDA group through direct supply agreements, supporting NDA’s supply chain and the wider nuclear industry.

NDA Contract Award Timeline

Thomas Graham is the current incumbent supplier delivering MRO Tools & Consumables and MRO Mechanical Consumables frameworks to the NDA group. These agreements provide robust and competitive supply agreements to all NDA operating companies as detailed below:

• Sellafield Limited
• Nuclear Restoration Services Limited
• Nuclear Restoration Services – Dounreay
• Nuclear Transport Services
• Nuclear Waste Services Limited

Additionally, Thomas Graham also provides Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel and Ancillary Services to Sellafield. Collectively, these agreements represent a total NDA contract value of £90.53m awarded through competitive tender processes.

The award of the NDA agreements has allowed Thomas Graham to invest further in business to ensure continuous improvement and continue its growth trajectory. The award of the NDA contracts has enabled Thomas Graham to invest in multiple areas of its organisation.

Firstly, the agreements have supported Thomas Graham to invest in a multi-million-pound infrastructure investment including, the acquisition and development of a significantly larger property (four floors and 1200 pallet spaces), which further cements its base within Egremont and provide additional capacity to serve the NDA group.

Secondly, through this additional investment, this also provides a platform to provide further opportunities to the local community through employment. When Thomas Graham commenced the contract in 2019, it had 195 employees. Due to the growth seen from multiple NDA awards, this additional demand required increased resources to support contract delivery, which has resulted in an increase of 29.7% to 253 in 2025. This equates to an additional value for the local community through employment of £2.14m per year*.

Thomas Graham’s company ethos has always focused on going the extra mile for its customers and providing innovation where possible. As a result of our continued efforts, we have received several awards such as the Minister’s SME Award (NDA Estate Awards, 2014), SME Innovation and Creativity Award (BECBC, 2018) and Family Business Of The Year (Cumbria Family Business Awards, 2019). We also played a considerable part in ensuring the continued operations of the NDA estate during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing critical PPE, hygiene products and air purifying units, supporting the continual operations safely, supporting the core NDA mission.

*Based on average UK salary rates (UK Average Wage in 2025: A Comprehensive Overview)

9. Our payment performance

Government is leading by example and paying our suppliers promptly. Late payment is an issue for businesses, especially smaller businesses, as it can adversely affect their cash flow and jeopardise their ability to trade. The government recognises that the public sector should set a strong example by paying promptly. The public sector is required to pay their suppliers in 30 days and report on their performance on an annual basis. 30-day terms also apply in public sector supply chains. NDA’s latest payment performance is set out below.

Latest report covering F/Y 2024/25

• 65 Percent of undisputed invoices were paid within 5 days
• 94 Percent of undisputed invoices were paid within 30 days

10. SME Hub

The small and medium business hub is a dedicated space for SMEs looking to work with the government. Here you will find links to other departmental action plans and centralised guidance on bidding for government work.

11. Contact Us

Alex Masri

alex.masr@nda.gov.uk

http://www.nda.gov.uk