Description
Description of the Procurement
The fundamental aim of the Naval Site Safety Justification (NSSJ) contract is to procure the provision of an integrated Project Management Service (PMS) to support the continued authorisation and safe operation of HM Naval Base (HMNB) Devonport.
The contract provides specialist capability to deliver project management, nuclear safety advice, safety case production and maintenance, and Periodic Review of Safety (PRS) activities, under a pro rata model. These services ensure that the Naval Base Commander’s Site Safety Justification documentation remains current, robust, and fully compliant with:
• MoD Authorisation Conditions
• MoD Naval Nuclear Safety Principles (NNSP)
• Applicable Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) standards
In addition to technical delivery, the contract supports knowledge transfer and information sharing to strengthen the Authority’s Intelligent Customer (IC) capability.
Scope of Services
The services to be provided under this contract include, but are not limited to:
1. Nuclear Safety Case Management and Support
• Provision of specialist nuclear safety advice reflecting modern civil nuclear practice.
• Management, review, and maintenance of the full suite of HMNB Devonport nuclear safety cases and supporting documentation.
• Support to the Naval Base Design Authority in ensuring safety justification documentation remains authorised and compliant throughout its lifecycle.
2. Nuclear Authorised Documentation Review Programme (NADRP) Support
• Support for documentation production, review, update, and tracking activities using the Nuclear Authorised Documentation Review Programme (NADRP).
• Delivery of tasks assigned via NADRP in accordance with programme priorities and Design Authority requirements.
• Flexible and reactive support for new documentation tasks driven by the submarine operational programme, including delivery to demanding timelines.
3. Periodic Review of Safety (PRS) Support
• Full-time technical support to the PRS Lead, managed through the Design Authority PRS Assistant Head role.
• Subject matter review and assessment activity contributing to the successful delivery of the Naval Base PRS programme.
4. Intelligent Customer (IC) Support
• Independent IC support to the Design Authority Safety Justification Delivery Manager (SJDM).
• Provision of an experienced safety engineer to assess NSSJ documentation during production, review, and approval stages.
• Assurance that IC activities remain independent from document authorship and production.
5. Continuous Improvement and Knowledge Transfer
• Support to the Naval Base in fostering a culture of continuous improvement in nuclear safety management.
• Knowledge sharing and mentoring to enhance internal capability and resilience within the Authority.
Delivery Context and Experience Requirements
The service provider is required to bring a high level of knowledge and experience in nuclear safety case management, with a strong understanding of the MOD environment. This includes experience of operating within the challenges of balancing a demanding military operational programme with the stringent requirements of nuclear safety regulation.
The provider is expected to work within established HMNB Devonport nuclear safety management arrangements while applying relevant external experience and best practice to enhance safety performance.