Provision of passenger services

The procurement contact named on the official notice.

The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) is an arms-length body of the Ministry of Defence, employing around 6,000 people, headquartered in Aldermaston, Berkshire.

For more than 70 years, AWE has supported the UK Government's nuclear defence strategy and the Continuous At Sea Deterrent.

We also use our nuclear know-how and technical expertise to provide innovative solutions that support the UK's counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction activities.

We work at the extremes of science and engineering to understand the performance of nuclear warheads, and assess the safety, security and effectiveness of the stockpile in the absence of live testing.

AWE is looking to engage with the market to understand the supplier's capability and capacity to meet its needs for passenger services post conclusion of its existing contract, which is set to expire on the 31st December 2024.

A procurement may be required to secure an arrangement for future passenger services over 5 years, with a budget of £8.3m.

AWE is seeking a zero-commitment framework.

As such, AWE, or any of its affiliated bodies, will not be obligated to commit to the full value of the contract.

The supply of passenger services will support the AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield sites, as well as ad-hoc off-site visits both within the vicinity of the two aforementioned sites, and around the wider UK when required.

At present there are no plans to service other AWE sites, however it should be noted that during the lifecycle of the contract, the infrastructure and layout of AWE's sites are subject to change, which may in turn lead to AWE's passenger services requirements changing.

This potential for scope variation, will be reflected in the contract between the successful supplier and AWE.

In respect of the requirements, the following are deemed in scope.

Please note that a full list will be supplied at ITT together with specifications and sizes: 1.

1 x minibus (catering to approximately 24 seats).

2.

1 x coach (catering to approximately 50 seats).

3.

Ability to provide ad-hoc minibuses (catering to approximately 20 seats) for off-site visits.

4.

Maintenance and inspection services for the provided vehicles.

5.

Minibuses and coaches will need to be able to run between the times of 6.30am & 7:00pm, 229 days per year, excluding bank holidays and weekends.

In respect of requirements 1-5, all services must be accompanied by supplier provided employees (drivers and maintenance teams), of whom are eligible for SC clearance.

The selected solution will be light touch from AWE staff, with the selected supplier owning the full management of passenger services.