Brief
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) seeks a supplier to provide independent technical expertise and advisory services for nuclear graphite research and regulation support. This contract covers a two-year initial period starting January 2027, with optional one-year extensions up to four years total.
BACKGROUND: The UK's four Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor (AGR) power stations use graphite as a moderator and face two critical safety challenges: graphite dimensional change (causing brick cracking) and graphite oxidation (causing weight loss). Both phenomena impact core geometry and moderation safety. The ONR requires independent expertise separate from the licensee (EDF Energy) to evaluate safety cases and regulatory decisions.
REQUIRED SERVICES:
Independent Research Component:
- Approximately 3 full-time staff dedicated to ONR projects
- Senior technical specialist and project lead each contributing 25% time
- Fracture modelling of nuclear graphite
- Development and maintenance of independent materials property models
- Stress analysis and finite element analysis (static and dynamic)
- Brick-to-brick interaction modelling
- Report preparation and expert presentations to ONR
- Attendance at one international conference annually
- Support to Graphite Technical Advisory Committee (GTAC) activities
Independent Advisory Component:
- Establish and operate a Graphite Technical Advisory Committee (GTAC) comprising approximately 12 independent experts with demonstrable knowledge in graphite behaviour, ageing, assessment methodologies, and nuclear safety
- Four full GTAC meetings annually (members charge for one day preparation and one day attendance)
- Approximately six written reports per year on topics requested by ONR
- Individual member participation in specific ONR-licensee meetings
- Attendance of up to 2 members at annual international nuclear graphite conferences
- Full administrative support including sub-contracting, payments, invoicing, meeting minutes, and report distribution
- Ensure GTAC membership is balanced across technical disciplines, maintains succession planning for specialists, and has no conflicts of interest
- Comply with all UK tax legislation including IR35 requirements
OBJECTIVES: Maintain an independent pool of nuclear graphite expertise to enable ONR to independently assess licensee safety cases and mount constructive regulatory challenges.
