Radioactive Substances Regulation - Ad-hoc Monitoring and Technical Support Fram

Tender description

Radioactive Substances Regulation - Ad-hoc Monitoring and Technical Support Framework INTRODUCTION 1. This framework agreement consists of two lots: Lot 1 Monitoring of Radioactivity – this has two components: a. To carryout ad-hoc monitoring of radioactive releases, environmental measurements and short-term investigations associated with all sites regulated by the Environment Agency as part of its duties under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 (EPR 16) as amended. In general, this component of the framework contract will enable in situ measurements to be undertaken, sampling and analysis of radioactivity in the environment, and of radioactive materials in solid disposals or liquid or air emissions. This component is referred to as Investigative Monitoring throughout the rest of the document. The Investigative Monitoring capability provided by this framework would also be utilised by the Environment Agency in the event of a radiation emergency. b. Work of a more technical nature which may include, but not be limited to, providing advice on monitoring and analysis of radioactivity in the environment, expertise on radiological instrumentation and sampling/analytical method development. Work to be undertaken as part of this component is referred to as Specialist Technical Support. Lot 2 Radioactive Substances Regulation: Research, Development, Evidence and Analysis – this lot is further divided into 3 sub-lots which cover different areas of expert technical services. a. Sub Lot 2.1 Radiological Impact Assessment (from past or future discharges) - To carry out assessments into exposure of members of the public or non-human biota to radioactivity in the environment arising from gaseous or liquid discharges from nuclear sites (such as power stations) or from non-nuclear sites (such as hospitals and universities). From time-to-time work may be required to review data and provide updates to available assessment systems or approaches. The work will normally be office based, site visits are not normally required, although a familiarisation visit to the area around a particular site may be appropriate depending on the nature of the assessment. It is important that the outputs produced can be transferred to the Environment Agency in an appropriate format so they can be re-used by the Environment Agency with minimum difficulty. b. Sub Lot 2.2 Environmental Radiological Protection - To provide the Environment Agency with expert technical services to fill data gaps and improve our knowledge of the behaviour (transfer, migration, and mobility) of radioactivity in the environment and the impact of radioactivity on people and wildlife. The work will normally be office based, but site visits may occasionally be required depending on the nature of the project. c. Sub Lot 2.3 Waste Management and Decommissioning - The objective for this sub-lot is to provide the Environment Agency with expert technical services which will improve our regulatory work relevant to the management of radioactive and non-radioactive wastes. This extends to the development of waste management strategies and environmental safety cases for waste disposal. The work will normally be office based, but site visits may occasionally be required depending on the nature of the project.