A regulatory necessity for LLW Repository Ltd (LLWR) is to maintain the capacity and capability to support the implementation and ongoing development of the Environmental Safety Case (ESC).
The objective of LLWR’s ESC is to demonstrate to the Environment Agency (EA) and other stakeholders that it is safe to continue to dispose of waste at the Repository.
LLWR is required by the EA to maintain a “live” ESC. This requirement covers both the implementation of the current safety case on site and also the capability to develop and produce major revisions to the current safety case.
LLWR’s ESC Team is supported by a number of contractors via the current multiple lot ESC Framework Agreement, which enables access to technical experts with the specialist knowledge to support the development of the safety case. A competitive tender is required to ensure continued access to specialist ESC resources.
A detailed description of the Scope is set out in Appendix 4.
The scope of work under this lot involves the provision of support to the ESC team in undertaking the technical activities identified below. Emerging requirements may be identified, which will be in line with the types of activities set out.
A Consultant and its people awarded work under the framework agreement will be expected to work closely, constructively and collaboratively with the ESC team and possibly other members of LLWR’s people in achieving the objectives of the work specified and agreed. Consultants must be committed to this style of working.
Providing support in the maintenance, development and application of the LLWR's understanding of the site's geology and hydrogeology. This includes software models of the site's geology and hydrogeology. It is anticipated that much of the work undertaken will be in support of the detailed understanding of the LLWR site's geology and hydrogeology that underpins both the conceptual and assessment models. Some aspects of the work may be focussed on supporting the detailed design and construction of the site's closure engineering and future vaults. The work scope may include geological recording of borehole construction and excavations made on the LLWR site. The selected contractor will need to provide staff with the necessary qualifications, experience and expertise, and also availability to support programmes of work on the LLWR site, which is a nuclear licensed site.
For a contractor to provide a group of experts, the Peer Review Group (PRG), with the necessary technical experience and expertise, and professional standing, to provide independent peer review of work relevant to the LLWR's ESC. It is noted that an important aspect of the work of the ESC will be supporting the detailed design and implementation of the closure engineering and future vaults. Potential contractors will need to propose an appropriate group of experts and have the necessary commitments from the experts or their employing organisations in place. Reports summarising the work of the independent peer review group will need to be produced, as well as reviews of documents, meetings, etc.