Tender

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

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

08 May 2026 at 14:12

Summary of the contracting process

This procurement process is being conducted by the Ministry of Defence for the provision of early years and childcare services at RAF Marham and RAF Cranwell. The tender, titled "Nursery Provision of Early Years & Childcare for RAF Marham and RAF Cranwell," falls under the industry category of pre-school education services. It is structured into two lots, one for each RAF base: Lot 1 is for RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire and Lot 2 is for RAF Marham in Norfolk. The procurement process is in the tender stage, which will remain active until 2nd June 2026. The process uses an open competition method with provisions for SMEs and VCSEs to participate, with the contract period starting on 1st September 2026 and potentially extending until 31st August 2033, with an optional two-year renewal.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses within the childcare and early education sector, especially those experienced in or capable of providing comprehensive nursery services that meet the specialised needs of service families stationed at RAF bases. Eligible businesses, particularly SMEs and VCSEs, can leverage this opportunity for sustained growth by securing a long-term partnership with the Ministry of Defence, offering services that include full-day care, half-day care, and wraparound childcare options. Companies with capabilities in managing large-scale nursery operations and those able to adapt services to unique security requirements and operational settings typical of military bases will have a competitive advantage in bidding for this contract.

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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

Nursery Provision of Early Years & Childcare for RAF Cranwell

Renewal: One optional 2 year extension period

RAF Marham

Nursery Provision of Early Years & Childcare for RAF Marham

Renewal: One optional 2 year extension period

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0694e8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042621-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

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
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 May 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
2 Jun 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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
Post Town
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 West
Westminster Constituency
Mid Buckinghamshire

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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