Provision of Independent Research and Advice in the Area of Nuclear Graphite ee (GTAC) and Research in the Area of Nuclear Graphite Structural Integrity for the Office for Nuclear Regulation

SCOPE OF THE SERVICES REQUIRED
Provision of Independent Research:
Work programmes would include:
• development of fracture models of nuclear graphite.
• contribution to the development and maintenance of independent materials property models.
• sensitivity studies of stress analysis of graphite bricks using finite element analysis both static and dynamic; and
• modelling of brick-to-brick interactions as the core ages.
General work areas would include:
(i) detailed modelling and analysis.
(ii) preparing reports and presenting work, either to ONR or groups including licensee representatives.
(iii) providing ONR with an expert view on particular technical topics, which may include attendance at regulatory meetings.
(iv) attendance of one member of staff at an internationally recognised conference to disseminate their work.
(v) Attendance at and support to relevant GTAC meetings and sub-group activities.
Provision of Independent Advice
• For the provision of expert advice element of the contract, ONR requires the supplier to establish and maintain a Graphite Technical Advisory Committee (GTAC).
The supplier should ensure that:
• The GTAC panel should be comprised of around 12 suitably qualified and experienced independent experts, with demonstrable knowledge in graphite behaviour, ageing, assessment methodologies, and nuclear safety.
• The composition of the panel must reflect a balanced range of technical disciplines relevant to graphite core performance, inspection, modelling, and structural integrity.
• Members should be selected on the basis of competence, credibility, and absence of conflicts of interest.
• The GTAC should be capable of providing impartial, authoritative, and timely advice to support ONR's regulatory decision-making.
• The membership should be resilient and sustainable; where any member holds unique specialist knowledge and may potentially leave or retire during the contract period, the supplier shall identify and maintain suitable potential...