The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

Comments sought on National Supply Chain Development Strategy

11 July 2008

We’ve underlined our commitment to promoting a healthy decommissioning supply chain by publishing the first consultation on a strategy for its development.

 A Consultation on NDA's Supply Chain Development Strategy (500Kb)

The NDA currently spends more than £2.5 billion a year, of which £1.2 billion enters the supply chain at Tier 2. We are now inviting comment on the aspirations set out in the strategy to help shape our future priorities.

Our six aspirations, which are each supported by a range of planned actions, are:

• open, transparent, timely and consistent communications at all levels
• making it cheaper and easier to both enter and take part in the NDA portfolio supply chain
• reducing the cost of trading with the supply chain
• improving the consistency of processes and applications
• optimising the NDA portfolio, including working with other market sectors; · exploring similarities with other nuclear clients
• creating an ‘open NDA portfolio market’, with improved health, safety, security and environmental standards

John Clarke, our commercial director, said:
“The supply chain is critical to the delivery of the NDA mission.

“We believe that by focusing on these areas we will obtain overall value for money benefits and provide an environment that allows contractors to make a reasonable return on their investment and develop a long-term relationship with this market.

“So I am keen to hear the views of the market to find out if we’ve got it right!”

The document builds on the emphasis given to supply chain development in our 2008/2011 Business Plan. It is supported by a review of the first three years of supply chain spend of more than £3.4 billion, together with a background document which positions the NDA within the wider UK and international nuclear market.

A wide range of representatives from our supply chain development groups have helped formulate the strategy and we’ll be holding workshops to explore some of the issues.