The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

More than 700 visitors from all over the UK and beyond took advantage of face-to-face networking opportunities at the second supply chain event for the whole NDA estate.

The NDA Estate Supply Chain Event, at the De Vere Whites Hotel, in Bolton last month, was organised jointly by the NDA and all its Site Licence Companies. Held for the first time in 2011, a key goal is to open up visibility of opportunity for all the supply chain, and for SMEs in particular. 

The day was formally opened by Stephen Allott, the Crown representative for SMEs, who reminded delegates of the Government's aspiration that 25% of central government business will go to small and medium-sized enterprises by 2015.

Stephen Allott, Crown Representative for SMEs, said:

"Since being in post, I've seen Government make real progress in supporting SMEs to win more business. A key focus of this has been letting SMEs know about upcoming future public sector contracts, giving them to confidence to invest in new skills, services and products.

"The NDA Estate Supply Chain Event is a great example of this in action, giving SMEs the chance to talk direct to buyers to better understand and shape the market. Everyone I spoke to really valued this opportunity, and it is good to see the NDA focusing on how to help SMEs."

Almost 100 businesses took exhibition space, alongside information stands representing the NDA, all the SLCs, Top Tier 2s, government bodies and regeneration organisations. Early informal feedback suggests the event has already succeeded in promoting dialogue and opening up possible business links for those who attended. 

Among the comments received so far were:

"Most worthwhile, focused event I have been to this year .... I came away with contacts that are already proving extremely useful."

"We managed in one day to collect information and make contacts which would normally have required months." 

One of the highlights was the presentation of prestigious new awards to supply chain businesses, recognising their contribution to the clean-up mission. The awards were jointly sponsored by the NDA and the SLCs.

Ron Gorham, the NDA's Head of Supply Chain Optimisation and SME Champion, said:

"Last year's inaugural event went extremely well and we are absolutely delighted that even more people were able to attend this year. We listened to feedback from 2011 and aimed to provide more space for business stands and for informal discussions. The indications so far are that it has worked extremely well. 

"We remain committed to working with our supply chain, from the largest to the smallest players, to improve opportunities for involvement in decommissioning. The success of our mission depends on vibrant, dynamic businesses that can provide solutions to the many challenges."

The event is part of a series of initiatives arising from workshops held during 2011 and currently being implemented. Other measures to support the supply chain include a simplification of contract flowdown requirements and adopting HMG's Contract Finder as the single, web-based portal for forthcoming tendering opportunities. Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) Steering Groups at a national and regional level are also being established to provide additional focus and support the improvement measures, with the Welsh region first to meet in early January.

NDA estate supply chain awards

Total dedication, absolute commitment and collaborative effort were the overriding qualities shown by the winners, announced yesterday (22 Nov), of the first-ever Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) Estate Supply Chain Awards. 

The prestigious new awards recognise the importance of businesses both large and small to the nuclear clean-up mission, highlighting the value of joint working and innovative thinking.  

A series of presentations were made during the second joint NDA Estate Supply chain Event in Bolton, to the winners in three categories: Innovation, Going the Extra Mile and Collaboration. 

Ron Gorham, Chair of the judging panel and the NDA's Head of Supply Chain and SME Champion, said:

"We were extremely impressed by the collaborative working, range of innovation and sheer dedication of our supply chain, whether they were large consortia or small enterprises – all make a hugely valuable contribution to our mission, and we could not function without them."

Best example of Innovation (small company)
WallRover Ltd  

WallRover has developed a unique lightweight wall-climbing vehicle, which is remotely operated, highly manoeuvrable and able to operate in hard-to-reach and contaminated areas.

Dr Gary Sewell developed the model over 14 years, linking up with Smith Engineering of Maryport for the manufacture. Trials are now under way at Sellafield.

Best example of Innovation (large company)
ACKtiv Nuclear, a joint venture with Jacobs, Carillion and Atkins

The partners adapted conventional water-jet cutting techniques from outside the nuclear sector to enable remote operations for the removal of foam grout from delicate pipework at Sellafield. Their approach allowed for rapid progress to complete the isolation of a major site risk in an area of high contamination and radiation.

Best Example of Supplier Going the Extra Mile
Project Time and Cost International Ltd

PT&CI carried out a review of ILW transfers from Sellafield legacy ponds and silos, going the extra mile by providing a strong independent leadership role when faced with significant resistance to change, working with all parties to develop an alternative option that created more than £100 million in savings.

Highly commended in Going the Extra Mile category
Mon Maintenance Services Ltd

The Welsh company set up in the wake of Anglesey Aluminium's closure to provide electrical and mechanical maintenance services, investing strongly to become an NDA estate supplier. In a short time, it has gained the necessary quality and safety accreditations, while also committing to the training of apprentices.

Best Example of Collaboration (Across Borders)
Studsvik UK Ltd, ALE Transport, LLWR with Costain, Assystem, Doosan Power Systems, Wynn & Sons, Meriaura and Oceaneering

The collaborative project to recycle the massive Berkeley boilers involved nine organisations who jointly co-ordinated the programme to remove five of the 310-tonne boilers off site, transporting them through the nearby town for shipment to Sweden for recycling. 

Described as an "outstanding example of SLC and supply chain collaboration across borders", the judging panel wrote:

"The sheer size of this project meant that it represented a huge step forward in the decommissioning of the Berkeley site and is the largest ever shipment of decommissioned components from a UK nuclear site, and has paved the way for more shipments in the future, saving vital resources in our low level repository."

Best Example of Collaboration (Project)
Members of the Cumbria Nuclear Solutions Consortium, led by James Fisher Nuclear Ltd and including React Engineering, Shepley Engineers Ltd and WYG, supported by specialist sub-contractors Custom Composites Ltd and Romar Innovate Ltd.

The team worked on a project to characterise four tanks in the separation area at Sellafield, using an innovative concept that avoided use of an overhead crane, bringing savings of cost and time. The consortium has worked together for six years, with complementary skills in key disciplines and streamlined processes for bidding.

Highly Commended in Collaboration category
Radsafe CLG 

While not, strictly speaking, a collaboration, judges wanted to recognise the work of Radsafe and its members, who provide emergency responses in the UK to road and rail incidents involving radioactive materials. Radsafe is owned by its members, who are major consignors of radioactive materials.