Decontaminated Waste Asbestos - Innovation Partnership

Tender description

The NDA is looking for the supply chain to develop an innovative solution that converts asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACM), that are currently considered as wastes with significant chemo-toxic properties, into an inert product that can be re-used. The requirement is to primarily treat radiologically-contaminated Asbestos / ACM up to, and including that classified as, Intermediate Level Waste. The scope includes highly friable material. It is expected that the technology developed will also be applicable to non-radiologically contaminated asbestos / ACM and this may prevent significant quantities having to be sent to licenced hazardous landfills. Although primarily aimed at NDA estate wastes, the service may be accessible to non-NDA estate organisations in the UK Nuclear Industry. Lot 1: The procurement over 8 years will provide a fully operational service (Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 9) through the delivery of an innovative treatment solution for both radiologically-contaminated and non-contaminated asbestos / ACM. The aim of the new service to make “re-use” the preferred management option and disposal the least preferred management option (in alignment with the waste hierarchy), and to thereby decrease the risks and hazards associated with asbestos/ACM handling and management. The procurement will start with an 18 month R&D phase, TRL 1-4, followed by a 18 month Testing Phase, TRL 4-5, (both up to 3 suppliers, capped budget of £2m for each of these two phases). The next phase is a 4 year Pilot Operations (inactive and active demonstrators), TRL 6 – 8, (up to 2 suppliers, capped budget of £27m each) and finally a 1 Year Fully Operational Service, TRL 9, (up to 2 suppliers, capped budget of £7m each). The work will be managed and coordinated by the NDA. Additional information: The NDA shall host an engagement event on 19 May 2021 to register your attendance please email: procurement.inbox@nda.gov.uk for this requirement. Please type in the header “Asbestos Innovation Partnership”. This supplier event will be carried out via a Microsoft teams conference. The NDA would like a maximum of 2 members of staff per supplier.