AWE launches Prior Information Notice to begin market engagement for its Future Materials Campus programme
AWE today announced the launch of a Prior Information Notice (PIN) for construction supply chain support required to deliver its Future Material Campus (FMC) programme. AWE’s FMC is part of a multi-billion-pound, multi-year portfolio of infrastructure investment that supports AWE in its overall purpose to protect the UK through nuclear science and technology. This PIN signals the start of FMC’s market engagement programme to support the proposed procurement in 2025 and invites parties across the construction supplier base to register their interest in participating in future market engagement activities.
The UK government is fully committed to our independent, continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent, and through its ‘triple lock pledge’, to delivering the upgrades and programmes necessary to maintain and renew the country’s defence nuclear capabilities. The scale and complexity of the work required is a critical National Endeavour, and includes substantial investment in infrastructure development across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.
The new facilities that make up the FMC will support AWE’s long-term capability and enable nuclear science for generations to come. These facilities will support the manufacture and storage of nuclear components, improve science and analysis capabilities, and invest in new capabilities for nuclear material recovery.
AWE is seeking interest from construction suppliers to take part in pre-market engagement activities that aim to support development of its approach to FMC’s delivery. This includes construction services spanning ancillary works, construction, fit out, and commissioning of complex nuclear buildings and a broader range of non-nuclear facilities, together with the associated infrastructure of both.
Suppliers can indicate their interest in participating by completing a market sounding questionnaire. Details for this questionnaire and further procedures and conditions are set out in the PIN itself.
“Our FMC programme is highly complex but also a once-in-a-generation opportunity to participate in the creation of a world-class scientific, engineering and technological centre of excellence. We’ll need support from a huge range of partners, and our relationships are key to the delivery of a successful mission,” said Andrew McNaughton, Executive Director Infrastructure, AWE. “FMC will develop the UK’s domestic capabilities across defence, construction, technology and more. Partners joining this infrastructure programme will play their part in the nuclear defence national endeavour and security of the UK. We look forward to working together to deliver the many benefits that FMC’s development will bring through employment, economic growth and the advancement of science in the UK.”
AWE will release further details of future market and commercial engagement activities in due course.
AWE’s FMC PIN can be found at: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040094-2024
