Planning

AWE Laser Transport Mirror Refurbishment

ATOMIC WEAPONS ESTABLISHMENT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

27 Jan 2026 at 11:20

Summary of the contracting process

This public procurement process is initiated by the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), a central government authority based in Reading, United Kingdom. The tender is titled "AWE Laser Transport Mirror Refurbishment" and falls under the goods category, specifically focusing on mirrors and lasers. The procurement is currently in the planning stage, with a key engagement deadline on 10th February 2026, where interested suppliers must register to receive a Request for Information (RfI). AWE plans to launch a Competitive Flexible Procedure (CFP) in March 2026, with the aim to award the framework by early July 2026. The successful bidder will enter into a framework agreement for refurbishing laser transport mirrors, valued at up to £1,200,000, and the initial contract period will start from 8th July 2026 and end on 7th July 2030.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in optical equipment, particularly those specialising in mirror refurbishment and coatings. The procurement aims to engage a single-supplier framework to refurbish critical components in a high-security setting, which can offer substantial business growth potential for qualified SMEs with relevant experience in the defence and security industry. Companies with the capacity to handle delicate optic materials and the ability to comply with stringent central government procurement regulations will be well-suited to compete for this opportunity.

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Notice Title

AWE Laser Transport Mirror Refurbishment

Notice Description

AWE is looking to contract for the refurbishment of laser transport mirrors of 500 x 350 x 80 mm and 351 nm, which have been in operation for over a decade and have degraded. There are approximately 50 such mirrors, and we know that at least 25 mirrors need to be recoated and repolished. We will not be able to inspect the remaining 25 mirrors until late summer 2026. AWE intends to create a single-supplier framework for the mirror refurbishment through a Competitive Flexible Procedure. We hope to launch the CFP in March 2026 and award the framework in early July 2026, then award the first call-offs for the recoating of the first batch of mirrors. Through this framework we will send mirror blanks / system mirrors to the winning supplier, for them to rework / recoat the mirrors and then send them back. We are undertaking this PME to gauge supplier interest, capability and cost.

Planning Information

Suppliers who register their interest in this PME will be sent a Request for Information (RfI) form to complete, for submission by the engagement deadline above. Information provided as part of this RfI may be taken into consideration by AWE when forming the CFP documentation (as previously stated, CFP is expected to be launched in March 2026.) N.B. the above may be subject to change and AWE will update the market should this be the case. Submission by 5pm on the day of the Engagement deadline. Suppliers are asked to register their interest to RDME.Procurement@awe.co.uk stating "Project_2189 [the procurement reference] RfI" in the email header.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060f73
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007006-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

38622000 - Mirrors

38636100 - Lasers

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
12 Mar 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Jul 2026 - 7 Jul 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ATOMIC WEAPONS ESTABLISHMENT
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
rdme.procurement@awe.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
READING
Postcode
RG7 4PR
Post Town
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
TLJ11 Berkshire

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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