Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a qualified, independent organization to conduct a comprehensive design review, technical verification, and regulatory compliance assessment of Necsa's overpack steel container. This overpack is intended for the transport of Low-Level Waste (LLW) concrete drums, ensuring that the combined package meets the requirements for an Industrial Package Type IP-2 as defined in the IAEA SSR-6 Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material. The verification aims to demonstrate compliance with all applicable IP-2 regulatory standards and strengthen regulatory confidence in the safety and integrity of the transport package.

Scope

The scope includes:

• Review of all engineering drawings, calculations, and safety analyses related to the overpack and the combined package.
• Verification that the overpack design, as part of the combined package, meets performance requirements for IP-2 packages under routine and normal transport conditions, including minor mishaps.
• Assessment of the overpack's ability to withstand normal transport stresses such as drops, stacking loads, vibration, and handling.
• Evaluation of the suitability of the design for LSA or SCO contents, if applicable.
• Verification of containment, structural integrity, and resistance to environmental and operational stresses.
• Assessment of the transport safety case, including content classification and radiation/radiation contamination limits.
• Production of an independent verification report detailing compliance status, including a compliance matrix referencing SSR-6 clauses, and recommendations for modifications if necessary.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements focus on ensuring the overpack and combined package:

• Meet all performance criteria for IP-2 packages, including resistance to drop tests, stacking, and environmental stresses.
• Maintain containment integrity for LLW during normal and mishap conditions.
• Possess structural robustness against drops, stacking loads, vibration, and handling stresses.
• Be suitable for LSA or SCO contents, if applicable.
• Demonstrate compliance with the IAEA SSR-6 regulations through detailed safety analyses and testing where necessary.
• Provide a clear justification for content classification and demonstrate that radiation levels and contamination limits are within regulatory bounds.

Skills and Experience Requirements

• Extensive experience with IP-2/IP-3/Type A transport packages and regulatory submissions (minimum 25 points).
• Proven track record with multiple similar projects, including nuclear transport reviews (minimum 20 points).
• Relevant project experience, with at least one team member having 10 or more years in nuclear or relevant projects (15 points).
• Personnel qualifications and competence, with at least one team member having 5-9 years of relevant experience (15 points).
• Demonstrated independence with a clear declaration of no conflicts of interest (10 points).
• ISO-aligned quality assurance system and proven regulatory reporting capability (10 points).
• Knowledge of SSR-6 and IP-2 requirements, including expert understanding of testing and regulatory application (15 points).

Additional criteria include:

• Ability to support an audit-ready approach aligned with SSR-6 clauses and IP-2 performance testing.
• Clear methodology and detailed compliance matrix aligned with SSR-6 standards.
• Full independence and impartiality in verification activities.