Independent Evaluation to help improve future engagement - Geological Disposal Facility Siting Process

Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) is contracting for evaluation services to help improve future engagement for one of the UK's largest ever environmental protection projects. Geological Disposal will provide a safe and secure long-term solution for the disposal of higher activity radioactive waste. The contract will support 1 or more Working Groups if formed in a location yet to be decided. NWS is currently scoping its requirements for a new contract to commence in April 2023. Working groups are time limited task and finish groups, working to clear objectives and outcomes, that are the pre cursor to potential Community Partnerships. The Working with Communities policy for geological disposal requires independent evaluation for the Working Group part of the siting process. The Provider will be expected to deliver an evaluation that informs the quality and effectiveness of our engagement approach. This requires the provision of suitably qualified and experienced evaluators who can operate in a partnership setting to develop key relationships, ensure a balanced evaluation and work up a reporting schedule that enables continuous improvement and learning in the organisation. The evaluation provided will be formative and summative. It will use clear evaluation criteria and a reporting framework that has been developed and produced in the first month prior to commencing observation and evaluation activity. The evaluation will contribute to an overall evaluation report of all our working group engagement. Working Groups link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/implementing-geological-disposal-working-with-communities-long-term-management-of-higher-activity-radioactive-waste Suppliers are invited to express an intrerest in this opportunity by contacting patrick.butler@nda.gov.uk We are anticipate commencing the procurement process in February 2023.