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One or more suppliers on this contract have also made political donations. See supplier details below.
Purpose and ContextThe Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO), referred to as "the Authority," is seeking delivery partner(s) to support the Nuclear Sector Skills Team (NSST) in delivering specific projects that form part of the overarching Nuclear Skills Plan (NSP). These projects are critical to addressing the skills challenge across the UK’s civil and defence nuclear sectors and ensuring the workforce is equipped to meet current and future demands.Background to the RequirementIn August 2023, the Nuclear Sector Skills Team (NSST), formerly the Nuclear Skills Taskforce, was established to accelerate progress on nuclear workforce development. It brought together government, academia, and employers from across the civil and defence sectors to build on existing initiatives and drive a coordinated, multi-level action plan. Following extensive engagement with over 90 key stakeholders and a diagnostic exercise spanning more than 20 workstreams, the NSST produced two key outputs:- The Nuclear Skills Charter, signed by CEOs (or equivalents) of all Nuclear Skills Executive Committee (NSEC) member organisations, securing cross-sector commitment to the NSP’s actions and deliverables.- The Nuclear Skills Plan (NSP), a ten-year, costed programme detailing the activities, governance structures, and collaborative behaviours required to generate the skills needed to meet the sector’s growing demand. Further information on the NSP and its strategic context can be found at: http://nuclearskillsplan.com.Launched on 15 May 2024, the NSP builds on the Defence Nuclear Command Plan and aligns with the Government’s July 2024 policy intent to secure skills, jobs, growth, and social value across the UK. It supports both public and private investment in the nuclear workforce and underpins the ambition to create up to 40,000 new jobs by 2030.Delivery and GovernanceDelivery of the NSP began in May 2024, initiating an enabling phase through to March 2025. During this period, a suite of strategic requirements was developed to support sector-specific national priorities. The NSST—a hybrid team comprising representatives from MOD, the Department for Energy and Net Zero (DESNZ), and Nuclear Skills Executive Council (NSEC) organisations—is responsible for mobilising the required contracts. As NSST is not a recognised contracting authority, the MOD acts in that capacity for this competitive tender via the DNO.Scope of TenderThis document outlines the requirements for prospective delivery partners to support the NSST in executing defined work packages under the NSP. These 9 packages are designed to deliver tangible outcomes aligned with the NSP’s strategic objectives, including workforce development, skills pipeline enhancement, and cross-sector collaboration. The Authority is seeking tender responses to the requirements in two stages:Stage one: The NSST is seeking expressions of interest, via the completion of the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), from Potential Providers to deliver the Nuclear Skills Plan detailed in this tender notice. Stage two: Following evaluation of PSQ responses, up to four Potential Providers shall be invited to the full Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage for each Lot. Further details are provided below.Further information regarding the scope of each work package can be found in the Statement of Requirements (SORs). Please note that any incumbent Potential Provider that has been shortlisted to participate in the ITT will be required sign the Ethical Walls Agreement. Failure to do so may result in the Potential Provider being excluded from further participation in the procurement process.The documents made available to Potential Providers via the Defence Sourcing Portal are;20251020_715655461_PSQ Guidance-O. Note: an updated version of this document is now available, titled 20251107_715655461_PSQ Guidance_Rev1-O20251020_715655461 _Appendix 1_PSQ Guidance-O 20251020_715655461_Appendix 2_PSQ Technical Questions-O 20251020_715655461_PSQ_Certificate of Performance-O 20251020_715655461_PSQ Information Firewall Statement-O 20251020_715655461_PSQ_Conflict of Interest Declaration Form-O20251020_715655461_PSQ_Similar Contracts Previous 3 Years-O20251020_715655461_PSQ Explainer for Potential Providers-O20251020_715655461_ PSQ Technical Response Template -O20251020_715655461_ Lot_1_SOR_Destination Nuclear Marketing Campaign and Website-O 20251020_715655461_ Lot 2_SOR_Bursaries-O20251020_715655461_ Lot 3_SOR_Nuclear Sponsorship Scheme-O20251020_715655461_ Lot 4_SOR_Sector Experts into Training-O20251020_715655461_ Lot 5_SOR_Career Switchers-O20251020_715655461_ Lot 6_SOR_Skills Supply Demand Model-O20251020_715655461_ Lot 7_SOR_Roles Pathways and Curriculum-O20251020_715655461_ Lot 8_SOR_Training Provider Network-O20251020_715655461_ Lot 9_SOR_Teacher Training Bursary-OIn order to access these documents Potential Providers will need to register for Find a Tender, the Central Digital Platform (CDP). To submit a PSQ submission Potential Providers will need to do this via the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP). Both are linked below.https://contracts.mod.uk/https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/
| Supplier | Identifier | Award Value | Lots Won | Cross-References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cogent Skills Limited | 07806185 | £4,478,400 | 2 lots Sector Experts into Training · Roles, Pathways and Curriculum | - |
| Ernst and Young LLP | OC300001 | £1,900,000 | 1 lot Skills Supply Demand Model | DONOR£493K across 25 donations To: Labour Party, Conservative and Unionist Party LOBBYIST FGS Global (UK) Limited (11 quarters) Bradshaw Advisory Ltd (3 quarters) Policy Connect Limited (1 quarter) |
| MHP Group Limited | 14106014 | £6,500,000 | 1 lot Destination Nuclear | - |
| MTC Operations Limited | 08707642 | £3,871,795 | 1 lot Career Switchers | - |
| National Skills Academy Nuclear | 06423637 | £1,461,020 | 2 lots Bursaries · Training Provider Network | - |
Taken from this notice, not from Companies House. Check the original notice — details change and are not updated here.
This procurement was divided into 9 lots, each awarded separately. 4 bids were received in total.
| Lot | Value | Bids Received | Awarded To | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 Destination Nuclear Mar 2026 – Mar 2031 | £5,916,666 £6,500,000 initial term | - | active | |
| Lot 2 Bursaries Mar 2026 – Mar 2031 | £800,000 £861,020 initial term | - | active | |
| Lot 3 Sponsorship Scheme Mar 2026 – Mar 2031 | £17,083,333 | - | - | active |
| Lot 4 Sector Experts into Training Mar 2026 – Mar 2031 | £763,638 £1,125,075 initial term | - | active | |
| Lot 5 Career Switchers Mar 2026 – Mar 2031 | £6,833,333 £3,871,795 initial term | - | active | |
| Lot 6 Skills Supply Demand Model Mar 2026 – Mar 2031 | £1,458,333 £1,900,000 initial term | - | active | |
| Lot 7 Roles, Pathways and Curriculum Mar 2026 – Mar 2031 | £1,458,333 £1,440,000 initial term | 4 | active | |
| Lot 8 Training Provider Network Mar 2026 – Mar 2031 | £500,000 £600,000 initial term | - | active | |
| Lot 9 Teacher Training Bursary Mar 2026 – Mar 2031 | £816,667 £788,250 initial term | - | active |
Notices published under the Procurement Act 2023 name every bidder, including unsuccessful ones.
| Bidder | Bid on | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| National Skills Academy Nuclear | Lot 8 | Wonlots 2, 8 |
| MHP Group Limited | Lot 8 | Wonlot 1 |
The notice does not name the bidders for lot 7.
Weightings from the notice, applied to every lot.
Government spending data: These suppliers have received £884,955,463 in 7,109 payments (over £25k) from Department for Transport, Metropolitan Police, HMRC, Cabinet Office, Ministry of Defence and 69 more public bodies (2010-04-14 to 2026-08-25).
Changes the buyer published to this notice after it first appeared.
Confirmation of date for Supplier Conference of 14th November at 0900.
Change to deadline for clarification questions to 14th November at 1700.
Change to deadline for Authority responses to clarification questions to 19th November.
Change to deadline for requests to participate to 26th November at 1200.
Changes to estimated value overall, and for Lots 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9.