The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

Businesses in the decommissioning supply chain are being invited to submit entries for a prestigious new award that recognises their contribution to the nuclear clean-up mission.

The award scheme is being piloted following a series of workshops with the NDA, Site Licence Companies (SLCs), Tier 2 suppliers and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The workshops were looking to identify areas for improvements, aiming to reduce the barriers to entry and enhancing visibility of opportunities for suppliers, particularly smaller businesses.

One of the proposals arising was for an award that would acknowledge suppliers' contributions across the NDA Estate.

The aim is that the NDA Estate Supply Chain Awards will be a prestigious recognition for a company working in the nuclear decommissioning and clean-up market.

The winners will be announced at the NDA Estate Supplier Event on 22nd November 2012, in Bolton, giving an opportunity to showcase the winning companies in front of an audience of senior Executives from the NDA, SLCs and the NDA Estate Supply Chain community.

Three categories have been designed to recognise and reward excellence in the NDA Estate Supply Chain.

The deadline for submissions is 26 October 2012.

This year's chair of judges is Ron Gorham, NDA head of Supply Chain Optimisation  supported by a selected panel of other senior  professionals.

• More information on the awards, categories and how to enter

Award Categories

The awards are free to enter and categories are based on the Supply Chain Charter for Nuclear Decommissioning Sites, which aims to foster good working relationships across the NDA Estate supply chain.

1. Best example of supplier 'going the extra mile'

Entries should demonstrate how a supplier, whatever size of company, has gone the 'extra mile' to deliver a successful contract. The judges will be looking for something unusual, exceptional or creative, that made a difference and brought a benefit. An example might be excellent customer service – flexibility, quick response, or sheer determination and commitment to succeed in the face of adversity. The winner will be the company that shows nothing is too much trouble.

2. Best supply chain collaboration

This category is open to suppliers who have worked collaboratively within the supply chain. Examples could be suppliers who have brought together everyone involved in the delivery of a project or contract, working in unison towards a common goal and finding solutions to problems together, or those who have successfully integrated SMEs into the supply chain.

3. Best application of an innovative solution(s) with tangible savings/benefits: i) SME ii) larger supplier

Innovations that provide savings and benefits are a key focus for the NDA Estate, whether through a new product or process or the adaptation of existing technology from other markets for nuclear decommissioning. Innovations come in all shapes and sizes so this category has been split into two awards – one for SMEs and one for larger suppliers