Scope
Description
AWE Plc ("AWE") is embarking on a critical transformation of its infrastructure as part of the national endeavour to support the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent. AWE has been refining and formalising a new approach to infrastructure delivery designed to drive greater consistency, pace, and long-term value. This model is now being actively implemented.
AWE is publishing this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice to inform and update the market regarding the establishment of the 16-year Client Partnership Framework (CPF). The pre-market engagement activities covered by this notice are for consultation on specific areas as prior market engagement took place under a Prior Information Notice (PIN) 3186 issued on 22nd April 2024.
The new approach is structured around an integrated model for AWE's Infrastructure Projects Delivery (IPD) portfolio. Over the next 18 months, AWE will competitively procure or directly appoint suppliers across its three major infrastructure programmes, which will be supported by the new Client Partnership Framework (this procurement).
The three major programmes are:
1) Future Materials Campus (FMC) a programme to renew existing facilities for the manufacture of nuclear components, storage of nuclear materials, provide improved science and analysis capabilities, and invest in new capabilities for nuclear material recovery. For FMC, we are seeking professional services suppliers to support client-side delivery, and ideally those that have experience in supporting the delivery of nuclear infrastructure build and associated commissioning.
2) Future Infrastructure Programme (FIP), focusing on delivering AWE's wider infrastructure needs in relation to new office accommodation; laboratories; testing facilities, site services, and advanced manufacturing facilities. For FIP we are looking for professional services suppliers to support client-side delivery, and ideally those that have experience of supporting whole life infrastructure, including design, build, maintenance.
3) Estates and Liabilities (E&L) management. Our sites have been operating for several decades, and as a result many facilities are reaching the end of their operational life. Liabilities management runs programmes to safely decommission and demolish these legacy facilities and manage the waste generated and are seeking suppliers with experience of the same.
CPF will support FIP, FMC and E&L by providing client management services covering engineering, programme and project management and productivity to enable AWE as the Client to plan, control and scrutinise project investments for sensitive services and works - helping AWE retain its position as an informed, intelligent client at all stages of programme delivery. Services provided under the CPF (a range of design, technical, programme management and specialist services) will support AWE to effectively oversee and scrutinise the FIP, FMC and E&L Delivery Partners and ensure that these infrastructure programmes are delivered to time, cost and quality. Services will be required to support various programme stages including feasibility, design, development, construction and commissioning of infrastructure.
As the programmes grow over the coming years, AWE is taking steps to ensure its supply chain is appropriately structured to support future delivery requirements. The arrangement will create a client partnership to act effectively as a trusted government partner. CPF will plan and design the investment portfolio, while providing the effective oversight to delivery partners (appointed via a separate procurement exercise) for time, cost and quality.
The primary location is the Aldermaston site. The sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield are owned by the Ministry of Defence, with the management and operations carried out under contract by AWE and the nuclear site licence, environmental permits and other regulatory permissions held by AWE plc.
AWE is independently regulated by several organisations including the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR), the Environment Agency (EA) and the Defence Nuclear Security Regulator (DefNucSyR)
Each Supplier shall comply and carry out professional services in accordance with the Client's security requirements. AWE reserves the right to instruct Suppliers to deliver services at other AWE-owned or prospective site locations.
It is anticipated that duration of the CPF will be an initial term of 8 years, followed by 2 optional 4-year extension periods, exercisable at the sole discretion of AWE. The maximum potential term of CPF is 16 years. The Framework is expected to comprise an estimated 10% of AWE's total capital investment portfolio over the period.
AWE is seeking to establish a single, closed, Framework Agreement made up of 3 Lots providing the following services:
Lot 1: Engineering & Technical Services (2 Suppliers), delivering non-fissile related activities, including:
• Engineering design between Project Review Sanction Gates ('SG') 0-2
• Engineering design and assurance from SG 2-5
• Safety assurance
• Safety, health and environmental management (including Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 support)
• Quality management
• Environmental and Social Governance (ESG)
• Construction management (inc. fulfilling the role of NEC Supervisor)
• Commissioning engineering
• Handover engineering
Lot 2: Project & Programme Management Services (2 Suppliers) supporting both fissile and non-fissile related activities, with both discrete services and, as required, assurance of the Lot 3 Supplier.
• Programme management
• Project management (including fulfilling the role of NEC Project Manager)
• Investment management
• Project controls
• Risk management
• Reporting (Project, Programme and Portfolio level)
• Commercial management
Lot 3: FMC Integration Services (1 Supplier), administering the integration and efficient delivery of AWE projects across fissile related activities . As such, it will cover all services required by Lot 1, all services required by Lot 2 plus further integration services.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Contract dates (estimated)
- 31 December 2026 to 30 December 2034
- Possible extension to 30 December 2042
- 16 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 71241000 - Feasibility study, advisory service, analysis
- 71242000 - Project and design preparation, estimation of costs
- 71300000 - Engineering services
- 71500000 - Construction-related services
- 72221000 - Business analysis consultancy services
- 72224000 - Project management consultancy services
- 79410000 - Business and management consultancy services
- 79994000 - Contract administration services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
7 November 2025
Engagement process description
AWE is seeking interest from infrastructure professional service providers to take part in the pre-market engagement activities regarding the establishment of the CPF Framework arrangement and it is AWE's intention to issue a Tender Notice in November alongside the Invitation to Participation (ITP).
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:
To participate in any market engagement activities interested Suppliers will be required to email FutureInfrastructureProgramme@awe.co.uk including in the subject line CPF. A proforma and draft NDA letter will then be sent to suppliers to be filled in and returned to allow for a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to be put into place. Interested bidders must have returned the NDA proforma by 5pm on the 15th of October 2025.
PARTICIPATING IN PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT:
A pre-market engagement event will be held between the 17th to the 27th of October 2025. The event is anticipated to be face to face and will not be recorded. To attend suppliers MUST have a completed NDA in place. Exact date will be confirmed post receipt of the NDA. Invitations will be emailed, and a Request for Information (RFI) will be issued after the event.
The nature of this pre-market engagement and planned tender is such that AWE intends to operate restrictions within the Procurement Act 2023 in order to protect essential security interests. As such AWE Plc reserves its right to require further information to be provided by suppliers and/or steps taken to preserve this security interest. If an economic operator has connections with any hostile entity or foreign states which are deemed by AWE to pose a risk to the UK's national security interest or are otherwise considered not to possess the reliability necessary to exclude risks to the security of the United Kingdom, AWE reserves its right to exclude them from this pre-market engagement activity.
An additional market engagement webinar may be held post 27th October 2025 at AWE discretion if required.
One-to-one pre-market engagement will only be undertaken in exceptional circumstances where AWE considers that additional clarification or discussion is required. Any such meetings may be held virtually or in person. AWE will not be bound to meet any bidders who express an interest in participating.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
All information and material collected from these pre-market engagement activities will be documented and may be subject to public disclosure in line with UK Public procurement regulations, respecting commercial confidentiality.
Questionnaire submissions and participation in the pre-market engagement activities does not preference or preclude participation in future tender activities in this project.
Suppliers are required to complete the registration steps regardless of whether a Non-Disclosure Agreement/Security Aspects Questionnaire (now known as Tender Security Questionnaire) was completed as part of any previous market engagement.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
10 November 2025
Contracting authority
Atomic Weapons Establishment
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYCH-2579-LGTN
AWE Aldermaston
Reading
RG7 4PR
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ11 - Berkshire
Organisation type: Public authority - central government