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Parabola Refurbishment

Atomic Weapons Establishment

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

10 Sep 2025 at 18:00

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

06 Aug 2025 at 13:23

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) is inviting tenders for the refurbishment of its parabola optics system, specifically involving the remanufacture of a short pulse final focusing mirror. This project falls under the industry category of optical instruments and is being conducted as a two-stage Competitive Flexible Procedure. Prospective suppliers can submit expressions of interest until September 26, 2025, with the deadline for initial submissions closing on the same date. The final contract will commence on January 7, 2026, running through to December 14, 2026. The entire procurement process, valued at £640,000, will be administered from AWE's headquarters in Reading, UK, and encompasses delivery zones across several UK regions.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities, particularly for businesses specialising in optical instruments and devices that meet the high technical standards required for central government projects. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can demonstrate expertise and innovation in optical coatings and mirror refurbishment processes are encouraged to engage in this opportunity. The procurement method focuses on technical quality, cost-effectiveness, and social value, with evaluation criteria inclusively designed to foster competitive bids. Suppliers capable of meeting the stringent technical requirements and offering innovative solutions may leverage this contract to consolidate their market presence in the defence and security sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Parabola Refurbishment

Notice Description

Remanufacture of a short pulse final focusing mirror, remove coating, refinish substrate and recoat. Two short pulse beamlines require the use of an off-axis parabola (OAP) as the final focusing optic. Due to the optics proximity to target the surface becomes degraded over time due to target shrapnel and condensate from material vaporization. The optics are 720 mm in diameter and have a specific surface profile and optical coating requirement. They either have a 1 Omega (1053 nm) or 2 Omega (527 nm) high reflectance coating with a specified laser damage threshold at the pulse length of use

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-058275
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055610-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

CPV Codes

38600000 - Optical instruments

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£640,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£640,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Sep 202511 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Jan 2026 - 14 Dec 2026 6-12 months
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
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
West Berkshire
Electoral Ward
Aldermaston
Westminster Constituency
Reading West and Mid Berkshire

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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