Geological and geophysical consultancy services

Tender description

There are four broad objectives for this contract related to different scope areas within the preparation for site characterisation project scope. These objectives are: • compile and maintain a knowledge base for site characterisation in preparation for the start of site characterisation in the next phase of the programme (GDF Development Phase); • work with the RWM site characterisation, business planning and programme teams to maintain and update cost and schedule estimates for site characterisation; • work with the RWM site characterisation, quality management, and knowledge and information management and health and safety teams to develop the enabling systems required to manage the data and information flows during site characterisation; • support RWM in the technical specification, procurement, supervision and management of geophysical investigations including 2D and 3D seismic reflection surveys in either onshore or inshore environments, should they be required. In December 2018 RWM launched a new siting process for a geological disposal facility (GDF) for radioactive waste. Over the coming years RWM will work with communities to evaluate sites for their potential to host a GDF. This site evaluation period will involve assessing several factors relevant to the suitability of a site including the safety, community, environment, engineering feasibility, transport and cost implications. This site evaluation process will culminate in a recommendation to Government on which sites should be taken forward into the next phase of the process. This next phase of the process, the GDF Development Phase (also called Tranche 3) will include detailed site characterisation, GDF design and safety case development. To ensure we are ready for the site characterisation phase to begin as soon as the decision is made on which sites will be taken forward, we have identified a number of workstreams which will need to be complete before the decision is made. RWM wants to work with contractors that will provide support to prepare for the site characterisation process. The overarching aim over the length of the contract is to ensure that when sites are selected and a decision is made to begin site characterisation RWM is ready to begin data acquisition, and has the knowledge, processes, procedures and enabling systems in place to do so in a way that is safe, efficient and compliant with regulations. There are four broad objectives for this contract related to different scope areas within the preparation for site characterisation project scope. These objectives are: • compile and maintain a knowledge base for site characterisation in preparation for the start of site characterisation in the next phase of the programme (GDF Development Phase); • work with the RWM site characterisation, business planning and programme teams to maintain and update cost and schedule estimates for site characterisation; • work with the RWM site characterisation, quality management, and knowledge and information management and health and safety teams to develop the enabling systems required to manage the data and information flows during site characterisation; • support RWM in the technical specification, procurement, supervision and management of geophysical investigations including 2D and 3D seismic reflection surveys in either onshore or inshore environments, should they be required. Further details of the proposed scope of work are available by following the links include within this notice. In addition you are invited to comment on our proposed scope and procurement strategy by completing a short questionnaire.