Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Nursery Provision of Early Years & Childcare for RAF Marham and RAF Cranwell

Ministry of Defence

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

Award

29 Jul 2026 at 09:13

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

28 Jul 2026 at 10:06

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

08 Jul 2026 at 13:54

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

07 Jul 2026 at 11:24

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

27 May 2026 at 15:05

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

08 May 2026 at 15:12

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence procured early years and childcare services for service families at RAF Cranwell near Sleaford and RAF Marham near King’s Lynn. The requirement covers two lots: nursery provision at each station, including full-day, half-day, part-time, sessional, wraparound and holiday childcare. At RAF Cranwell, the existing service provides up to 76 nursery places for children aged 0–5, plus wraparound and holiday provision for up to 40 children aged 4–11. At RAF Marham, the setting provides up to 186 places for children aged 0–11. Both settings provide funded early education for children aged from nine months. The work is classified as pre-school education services. The Cranwell nursery is inside the station; the Marham facility is outside the station.

The procurement was an below-threshold open competition divided into two lots, and has been awarded. Suppliers could bid for one or both lots. Rafa Kidz Limited was awarded both: RAF Marham on 25 June 2026 and RAF Cranwell on 8 July 2026. The recorded award values are £0 for Marham and £1 for Cranwell, both in GBP. Both contracts were signed on 28 July 2026. Each contract runs from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2031, with one optional two-year extension available to 31 August 2033. The tender enquiry deadline was 22 May 2026 and the bid deadline, extended by amendment, was 5 June 2026 at 12:00. Evaluation criteria were set out in the tender documentation. Two bids were recorded for Cranwell, with one reaching the final stage.

This award shows established demand from the Ministry of Defence for substantial nursery and childcare operations supporting service families at RAF stations. Relevant suppliers would need to deliver early years provision for children from nine months through to age five, alongside childcare for older children up to age 11 where required. Credible capability would include managing full-day, part-time, sessional, wraparound and holiday services, adapting delivery to station requirements, and operating safely in or near a military estate. Experience of funded early education, sustained staffing and capacity management would be important: the existing Cranwell operation employs 35 staff and the Marham setting employs 44. The opportunity was suitable for SMEs and VCSEs, with participation reserved for SMEs and VCSEs in Lincolnshire.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Nursery Provision of Early Years & Childcare for RAF Marham and RAF Cranwell

Notice Description

The Authority intends to run a Tender process for the provision of RAF Nurseries using Open Competition with Lots. The Tender will be open for 25 Calendar days. The locations will be split into Lots as outlined below: Lot 1 to include RAF Cranwell, Wellesley Way, Cranwell, Sleaford NG34 8HB. Lot 2 to include RAF Marham, Elm Road, Upper Marham, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE33 9NF. All suppliers are to submit a response to all evaluation questions (even if not applicable) relating to the Lot/s they wish to bid for. Failure to do so will render your bid non-compliant. Suppliers can bid for one lot or both lots within the Tender. For any bids you do not wish to bid for please leave the questions blank. Description of the procurement: The below provides a brief illustration of the current provision and operational delivery of the nursery and childcare sites. Please note this is an illustration and detail can be subject to change. There will be scope to work with each station to adapt the operational delivery and outputs of the setting to meet the needs of service families and the station's statement of requirements. RAF Cranwell The nursery operates out of a purpose-built nursery that is located inside of the wire at RAF Cranwell, Sleaford NG34 8HB. The nursery is currently open Mon - Fri from 07.30 - 18.00 for 51 days of the year providing up to 76 places for children aged 0-5 years, including an offer of full, half day and sessional options to meet the needs of service families living and working at RAF Cranwell. There are currently 92 children under 5 on roll at the nursery. Wraparound childcare and holiday provision for up to 40 places is also offered to children aged 4 - 11 years at other sites within close proximity to the nursery. There are 35 staff employed to work with the children. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged 9months+. RAF Marham The nursery and childcare provision operates out of a purpose built-building facility that is located outside the wire at RAF Marham. The setting is currently open 0700 - 1800 and operates all year round providing up to 186 places at any one time for children aged 0 - 11 years including an offer of full days, part time, sessional and wraparound childcare options to meet the needs of service families. There are 44 staff employed to work with the children. The setting provides funded early education for children aged 9 months+.

Lot Information

RAF Cranwell

Renewal: One optional 2 year extension period

RAF Marham

Renewal: One optional 2 year extension period

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0694e8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071508-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80110000 - Pre-school education services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2 Under £100K
Lots Value
£2 Under £100K
Awards Value
£1
Contracts Value
£1

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
5 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
25 Jun 20262 months ago
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Ministry of Defence
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
HIGH WYCOMBE
Postcode
HP14 4UE
Postcode Area
Hemel Hempstead
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ13 Buckinghamshire
Delivery Location
TLF3 Lincolnshire, TLH1 East Anglia
Local Authority
Buckinghamshire
Electoral Ward
Ridgeway East
Westminster Constituency
Mid Buckinghamshire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

RAFA Kidz

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...