Award

Exempt as per S94 - (1a) - withheld for the purpose of safeguarding national security

ATOMIC WEAPONS ESTABLISHMENT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

13 Apr 2026 at 13:48

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process led by the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), located in Reading, UK, is now complete. This contracting process revolves around the procurement of special purpose trial hardware, as outlined in the title and description of the tender, which has been withheld for national security reasons. This direct award procedure adheres to the UK Procurement Act 2023, specifically Schedule 5, Paragraphs 6 and 7, emphasizing the unique technical requirements and necessity for the incumbent supplier to continue due to compatibility issues. The procurement process, categorized under defence and security, occurred in the context of safeguarding national security, with the award pending as of 13th April 2026, and the contract anticipated to commence on 15th April 2026, concluding on 31st March 2027. The main industry category involves miscellaneous special-purpose machinery, with the project delivery based in the UKD region of the United Kingdom.

This tender presents significant opportunities for suppliers within the defence and security sector, notably those with existing capabilities and expertise in special-purpose technology. Businesses that can demonstrate proficiency in the design and manufacture of complex, bespoke machinery aligned with national security apparatus are ideally suited to compete in similar procurement processes. Although this particular contract was a direct award due to the absence of competition, understanding how such processes operate could position firms to align themselves strategically for future opportunities in similar procurement activities. By investing in specialised skills, technologies, and requirements that meet stringent security standards, businesses can solidify their role as indispensable partners to government bodies tasked with national security mandates.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Exempt as per S94 - (1a) - withheld for the purpose of safeguarding national security

Notice Description

Exempt as per S94 - (1a) - withheld for the purpose of safeguarding national security, Direct Award. Procurement of special purpose trial hardware.

Procurement Information

Exempt as per S94 (1a) - withheld for the purpose of safeguarding national security. Given the specialist nature of the requirement and the Supplier's unique role in the design, testing, and manufacture of this trial hardware, the proposed contract falls within scope of Schedule 5, Paragraph 6 to the Procurement Act 2023 on the basis that the supplier's specialist technical expertise and essential role in the development lifecycle means that there is an absence of competition for technical reasons and only the Supplier is able to supply the relevant goods. AWE is satisfied that there is no reasonable alternative to those goods. Further or in the alternative, the proposed contract falls within scope of Schedule 5, Paragraph 7 to the Procurement Act 2023 on the basis that the contract concerns the supply of goods by the existing supplier, and the contract is intended as an extension to the existing goods. In the current circumstances, changing supplier would result in incompatibility with the existing goods and cause disproportionate technical, operational and programme difficulties.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068124
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033337-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

42 - Industrial machinery

CPV Codes

42990000 - Miscellaneous special-purpose machinery

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£429,532 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
13 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
14 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
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
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
Not specified
Local Authority
West Berkshire
Electoral Ward
Aldermaston
Westminster Constituency
Reading West and Mid Berkshire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

WITHHELD SECTION94 SUPPLIER

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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