A Plymouth company has put forward proposals to dismantle and store disused nuclear submarines.
Eleven submarines are currently not being used in the UK
Devonport Management Limited (DML), the company which runs Devonport Dockyard, is one of five businesses hoping to take on the work.
The Ministry of Defence is expected to announce the names of the companies bidding for the work.
In addition to DML, British Nuclear Fuels is also believed to be among the firms bidding for the contract.
The UK currently has 27 nuclear-powered submarines.
While 16 are in service, 11 are laid up and not being used, with four of those stored afloat at Devonport.
The actual work to deal with disused submarines is not expected to start for another three years.
A period of public consultation was started in 2001 by the MoD to determine how to cope with the radioactive waste from submarines that have been withdrawn from service.
This consultation will continue and is being co-ordinated by the University of Lancaster.