The tender is the largest to hit the market from a new pioneering procurement model that uses Project 13-style integrated collaborative teams.

The big procurement shake-up is being delivered the Programme and Project Partners (PPP) that are driving forward the clean-up of the Sellafield site in West Cumbria.

This overarching integrated team is made up of a Kellogg Brown and Root (Integration Partner); Jacobs (Design and Engineering Partner); Morgan Sindall Infrastructure (Civils Construction Management Partner) and Doosan Babcock (Process Construction Management Partner), and Sellafield.

Under the new multi project procurement process, key delivery partners will be appointed by the PPP team to carry out the main elements of construction works across the programme.

A contest is already underway for building interior fit-out and finishes, with awards due in the next few months for HVAC, mechanical pipework and electrical and instrumentation works partners.

PPP anticipates that two KDPs will be appointed for the concrete structures, groundworks and blockwork package.

Tenderers will be required to set out a predetermined supply chain for the work they will deliver and requiring just over a third to comprise of SMEs.

As part of the process, PPP has enlisted the Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service to broker and develop relationships between those bidding for KDP packages and high performing SMEs able and willing to invest in West Cumbria.

This introduction service is being delivered by quantity surveying and procurement specialists Solomons Europe.

Successful KDPs will be expected to help PPP meet its five ‘Critical Success Factors’, which include cost savings on project baselines, certainty of delivery and rewarding supply chains that achieve agreed outcomes.

Emphasis is also placed on local employment and upskilling the local workforce, along with financial and social investment in West Cumbria.

A full strategy paper outlining the procurement approach, commercial model, timeline, and other important information will be made available to businesses who register their interest by 12pm on Thursday, October 14 by email.