--- title: "AWE Laser Transport Mirror Refurbishment" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-060f73" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-060f73" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060f73.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060f73.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "ATOMIC WEAPONS ESTABLISHMENT" published: "2026-01-27" --- # AWE Laser Transport Mirror Refurbishment Buyer: ATOMIC WEAPONS ESTABLISHMENT Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-060f73 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-060f73) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060f73.json) ## Summary 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. ## Notice 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. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007006-2026 | | 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 | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 27 Jan 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 12 Mar 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 7 Jul 2026 - 7 Jul 2030 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £1,000,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | ATOMIC WEAPONS ESTABLISHMENT | | Locality | READING | | Post town | Reading | | Postcode | RG7 4PR | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire | | ITL 3 | TLJ16 Berkshire West | | Local authority | West Berkshire | | Electoral ward | Aldermaston | | Westminster constituency | Reading West and Mid Berkshire | | Delivery location | TLJ11 Berkshire | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) ### Codes - 38622000 - Mirrors - 38636100 - Lasers ## Release History - 27 Jan 2026 at 11:20 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007006-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007006-2026 27th January 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-060f73. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060f73.json.