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AWE Catering and Hospitality Services

Atomic Weapons Establishment

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

Tender

01 May 2026 at 12:04

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

16 Feb 2026 at 16:04

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
PlanningUpdate

08 Oct 2025 at 13:28

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

08 Oct 2025 at 13:24

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

09 Jul 2025 at 16:34

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

09 Jul 2025 at 16:32

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) is currently involved in a tender process to engage a new service concession contractor for catering and hospitality services across its sites in Reading, UK. This comprehensive procurement involves the fitting out of a kitchen and dining area in a new restaurant at the Hub facility, along with other potential facilities over the contract period. The procurement process, categorized under services, employs a competitive flexible procedure and is valued at approximately £32.3 million excluding VAT. The tender is at the stage where interested suppliers must register their interest by 12 May 2026, with the Invitation to Participate materials available from 19 May 2026. The contract is expected to commence on 1 July 2027 and could extend until 30 June 2036 if optional extensions are executed.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specializing in catering, hospitality, or related support services. The scope includes diverse activities like the operation of restaurants, cafés, coffee bars, deli counters, smart and micro markets, vending solutions, and event catering services. Companies with strengths in innovative food service solutions or those with experience in managing comprehensive catering operations may benefit from participating. The inclusion of high-value fit-out responsibilities and potential renewals allows scope for substantial business growth within the term of the contract. Businesses seeking to expand their operations in the UK public sector through a flexible yet structured competitive process will find this tender particularly appealing.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

AWE Catering and Hospitality Services

Notice Description

AWE is looking to secure a new service concession contractor for the provision of catering and hospitality services across its sites as well as the fit out of the kitchen and dining area of its new restaurant in the Hub facility, as well as the fit- out of other possible new facilities during the contract duration. The procurement will deliver a single contract to effectively manage all of AWE's catering and hospitality needs as well as fit out works and services, both initially, and as further required during the contract duration. The indicative scope includes and is not limited to: * Restaurants - Provision of a full-service dining offer including the preparation, provision and sale of a variety of meal options * Cafes - Preparation, provision and sale of light meals, snacks, and beverages * Coffee Bars - Preparation, provision and sale of hot and cold beverages, including specialty coffees * Deli Counters - Preparation, provision and sale of made-to-order sandwiches, salads, and other deli-style items * Smart Markets - Provision and management of unattended retail spaces with self-checkout technology offering fresh and packaged food options * Micro Markets - Provision and management of compact, self-service food and beverage stations suitable for smaller locations * Vending Machine Solutions - Stocking, maintenance, and replenishment of vending machines offering snacks, drinks, and other consumables * Mobile Hot Food Solutions - Provision of mobile units, trucks or carts providing hot meals and snacks at designated times and locations * Water Coolers - Provision, installation, and maintenance of bottled or mains-fed water dispensers * Hospitality Services - Catering for meetings, events, and functions, including setup, service, and clean-up * Maintenance of all catering equipment * Cleaning of catering equipment * Provision of an EPOS till system capable of self service or supplier staff operated, including all associated hardware and software

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Additional catering facilities

Renewal: There is an option to extend for up to two (2) years which may be taken at AWE's discretion. The estimated contract term includes the potential extension.

Planning Information

AWE intends to undertake a 3-stage approach to market engagement as detailed below: • Project Overview - Early introductory session to those registering interest • Project Detail - Specification overview, commercial approach, contracting basis and KPIs • Project Timings - Pre-launch session to outline the process details, timings and key milestones Note the above may be subject to change and AWE will update the market should this be the case. Suppliers are asked to register their interest to AWEProcurement@awe.co.uk stating the title of the procurement "AWE Corporate Catering & Hospitality Services" in the email header.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-055c59
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040443-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

39 - Furniture (incl. office furniture), furnishings, domestic appliances (excl. lighting) and cleaning products

45 - Construction work

50 - Repair and maintenance services

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

CPV Codes

39100000 - Furniture

39221000 - Kitchen equipment

39222000 - Catering supplies

39310000 - Catering equipment

45400000 - Building completion work

50883000 - Repair and maintenance services of catering equipment

55320000 - Meal-serving services

55500000 - Canteen and catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£32,300,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£32,300,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 May 20263 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
9 Mar 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jul 2027 - 30 Jun 2034 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Atomic Weapons Establishment
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
READING
Postcode
RG7 4PR
Postcode Area
Reading
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ16 Berkshire West
Delivery Location
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Local Authority
West Berkshire
Electoral Ward
Aldermaston
Westminster Constituency
Reading West and Mid Berkshire

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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