Vault Optimisation & Capping Delivery (VOCD)

Planned date for tender release: Summer 2026

Page Updated 10th June 2026

Vault Optimisation & Capping Delivery (VOCD) will be a single supplier, 10 year framework to provide NWS with comprehensive construction and design services for NWS at the Low Level Waste Repository, Cumbria.

In order to deliver VOCD, the framework is divided into multiple Work Orders:

• Work Order 1:
  • 1a – Mobilisation
  • 1b – Vault 8 and Northern Trenches Surcharging and Final Cap Constructability Trial
  • 1c – Demolition and Remediation
  • 1d – Final Cap Construction
• Work Order 2 – Early Contractor Involvement in Optimised Disposal Model Design
• Work Order 3 – Optimisation Disposal Model Design for Future Vaults and Vault 9 Closure
• Work Order 4 – Optimised Disposal Model Construction
• Work Order 5+ – Any other work that has been identified

Work Order 1 will use an NEC ECC Option C (Target Cost) approach, with a 50/50 share range of 80%–120% with modifiers based on KPI scoring. Work Orders 2 and 3 are likely to use an NEC PSC Option E (Reimbursable) and Option C respectively, with WP 4 also likely to use NEC ECC Option C in line with the share range set out above.

This procurement will be conducted via Atamis e-procurement system. Please register early at: 

Please register early here.

NWS plan to award the contract following a multi-stage procurement process, involving:

• Conditions for Participation submission
• Draft Invitation to Tender (with the top 3 tenderers from CoP stage)
• A non-scored Presentation & Dialogue
• Invitation to Tender (ITT)
• ITT Submission

Market Engagement

The purpose of this webpage is to facilitate communication and relevant document sharing between NWS and prospective suppliers in advance of the upcoming tender. It forms part of an ongoing market engagement process. For the latest and historic documents please refer to the below section ‘Supplier Documentation’.

In addition there will be other market engagement activities conducted to share principles of our procurement strategy and draft ITT documentation. The feedback received will enable us to incorporate valuable input into the final tender documents and help the market get a clearer understanding of the project, scope and commercial requirements.

The VOCD market engagement schedule is outlined in the below table