Award

Project MACE - Provision of Infrastructure Upgrades at Glasgow Prestwick Airport

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

19 Feb 2026 at 15:08

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

12 Jun 2025 at 09:07

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence has awarded a direct contract to Glasgow Prestwick Airport Limited for infrastructure upgrades under 'Project MACE'. This initiative, crucial to the Defence and Security framework, focuses on enhancing the operational readiness of the Air Mobility Force, specifically addressing requirements at Glasgow Prestwick Airport. The primary scope involves concrete jacking pads for maintaining the Voyager A330 fleet, pivotal to the RAF's air-to-air refuelling operations. The direct award, justified under the Procurement Act of 2023 for single-supplier technical reasons and defence security, reflects strategic imperatives to uphold the UK's airspace defence capabilities. Key milestones are set with the standstill period concluding by 2nd March 2026, followed by contract commencement on 6th March 2026, lasting until 30th June 2026.

This contract offers promising opportunities for businesses specialising in construction project management and infrastructure refurbishment, particularly those with experience in defence and aviation sectors. Companies capable of delivering complex technical solutions under tight schedules could leverage such expertise, especially in scenarios where certifications like Part 145 hangarage are essential. As the contract is directly awarded due to exacting technical and operational criteria, businesses aligning with these standards can position themselves favourably for future such procurements, reinforcing their market presence in defence and military infrastructure projects.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Project MACE - Provision of Infrastructure Upgrades at Glasgow Prestwick Airport

Notice Description

Transparency Notice (UK05) - Provision of Services for Infrastructure Upgrades at GPA 1. Overview Air Commercial, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) intends to award a contract to Glasgow Prestwick Airport (GPA) for the provision of services The estimated value of the contract is PS750,000 with a proposed term of 36 weeks. This Direct Award is related to a larger Programme of work, referred to as MACE. 'Project MACE' is the name given to the bolthole operation while the Aerodrome Operating Surfaces (AOS) are resurfaced at RAF Brize Norton. This Programme of work requires a number of aircraft from the Air Mobility Force (AMF) to be relocated to alternative airfields while the works are underway. The requirement at Glasgow Prestwick Airport is for the Voyager A330 fleet. The Voyager A330 aircraft is the RAF's sole Air-to-Air Refuelling tanker, it serves to refuel fast jets and operates as strategic air transport. If the Voyager fleet are not safely re-housed, they will be unavailable to support the Fast Jet fleet which critically defend UK airspace. For the safe and compliant re-housing of this fleet, a number of low-level upgrades including concrete jacking pads, are required at GPA. These upgrades will facilitate the re-location of the aircraft in the Summer of 2026. As a covered procurement, this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023. This Direct Award relies on two justifications as permitted for under the Procurement Act 2023 legislation: Schedule 5, Paragraph 6 (Single Supplier) and Schedule 5, Paragraph 20 (Defence and Security). This Transparency Notice will address each of these justifications below. 2. Grounds Satisfied Schedule 5 - Paragraph 6 (Single Supplier) It is considered that the direct award of the contract is lawful pursuant to Section 41 and Schedule 5, Paragraph 6 of the Procurement Act 2023 because competition is absent for technical reasons such that only Glasgow Prestwick Airport can achieve the requirement and there are no reasonable alternatives. There are strict technical requirements attached to the relocation of the Voyager A330 aircraft. Only one airport, Glasgow Prestwick Airport can meet all of the MOD's technical requirements. GPA is the only airport that could take 7 Voyager aircraft. Whilst GPA requires some financial investment to upgrade the concrete jacking pads to allow maintenance to be performed on the Voyager aircraft for them to remain airworthy all other airfields lack the necessary secure communications that are required to enable the relocation of the Voyager aircraft, an upgrade of communication systems is not possible without significant lead time of multiple years which does not meet the time scales required. Others would require full runway re-construction, again at significant time of several years. This is not in line with the time restrictions of Programme MACE's requirements . Without the pads, the 7 aircraft would quickly become unworthy of flight, jeopardising Defence outputs. In addition, there are no reasonable alternatives to dispersing the aircraft. The aircraft must be removed to accommodate the works at RAFBN . The requirement stipulates that these aircraft cannot be moved abroad due to security and operational readiness requirements. Another key output of this relocation is to keep the aircraft together to limit the geographical dispersal of the supporting teams, supplies and equipment which are critical to the maintenance of the aircraft while away from base. Dispersing the fleet across a number of sites, would stretch these already scarce resources and would ultimately lead to many of the aircraft becoming unworthy of flight as they would not be able to receive the level of maintenance required to keep them safe to deploy. The requirement for available for Part 145 compliant hangarage has also been stipulated for this reason to be able to safely an compliantly maintain the aircraft on site. Schedule 5, Paragraph 20 (Defence and Security) In addition, it is considered that the direct award of the contract is lawful pursuant to Section 41 and Schedule 5, Paragraph 20 of the Procurement Act 2023 as a defence and security contract (and not only by virtue of section 7(1)(g)) and it is necessary for the contract to be awarded directly to Glasgow Prestwick Airport in order to enhance or maintain the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces. The contract is a defence and security contract by virtue of Sections 7(1)(c), goods, services or works necessary for the development, production, maintenance or decommissioning of military equipment or sensitive equipment; (d), logistics services relating to military equipment or sensitive equipment; and (g), goods, services or works that are otherwise relevant to the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces of the Procurement Act 2023. It therefore fulfils both the first and second limbs of this ground. In relation to the third limb, the Direct Award to GPA is necessary to be awarded directly in order to enhance or maintain the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces. The Voyager A330 aircraft is the RAF's sole Air-to-Air Refuelling tanker, it serves to refuel fast jets and operates as strategic air transport. If the Voyager fleet are not safely re-housed, which these infrastructure upgrades will facilitate, they will be unavailable to support the Fast Jet fleet which critically defend UK airspace. Without the Voyager ready to deploy, fast jets would become inoperable, risking the safety of the UK armed forces, public and its allies. Thorough market research has shown there is only one possible location which meets all of the Defence and Security requirements set by MOD. Directly awarding this contract to GPA, is the only viable route to market to assure the upgrades are made in time for the relocation of aircraft. 3. Summary For the reasons outlined in this section of the transparency notice, it is considered that the direct award of this defence and security contract to GPA is necessary in order to enhance or maintain the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces.

Procurement Information

Transparency Notice (UK05) - Provision of Services for Infrastructure Upgrades at GPA 1. Overview Air Commercial, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) intends to award a contract to Glasgow Prestwick Airport (GPA) for the provision of services The estimated value of the contract is PS750,000 with a proposed term of 36 weeks. This Direct Award is related to a larger Programme of work, referred to as MACE. 'Project MACE' is the name given to the bolthole operation while the Aerodrome Operating Surfaces (AOS) are resurfaced at RAF Brize Norton. This Programme of work requires a number of aircraft from the Air Mobility Force (AMF) to be relocated to alternative airfields while the works are underway. The requirement at Glasgow Prestwick Airport is for the Voyager A330 fleet. The Voyager A330 aircraft is the RAF's sole Air-to-Air Refuelling tanker, it serves to refuel fast jets and operates as strategic air transport. If the Voyager fleet are not safely re-housed, they will be unavailable to support the Fast Jet fleet which critically defend UK airspace. For the safe and compliant re-housing of this fleet, a number of low-level upgrades including concrete jacking pads, are required at GPA. These upgrades will facilitate the re-location of the aircraft in the Summer of 2026. As a covered procurement, this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023. This Direct Award relies on two justifications as permitted for under the Procurement Act 2023 legislation: Schedule 5, Paragraph 6 (Single Supplier) and Schedule 5, Paragraph 20 (Defence and Security). This Transparency Notice will address each of these justifications below. 2. Grounds Satisfied Schedule 5 - Paragraph 6 (Single Supplier) It is considered that the direct award of the contract is lawful pursuant to Section 41 and Schedule 5, Paragraph 6 of the Procurement Act 2023 because competition is absent for technical reasons such that only Glasgow Prestwick Airport can achieve the requirement and there are no reasonable alternatives. There are strict technical requirements attached to the relocation of the Voyager A330 aircraft. Only one airport, Glasgow Prestwick Airport can meet all of the MOD's technical requirements. GPA is the only airport that could take 7 Voyager aircraft. Whilst GPA requires some financial investment to upgrade the concrete jacking pads to allow maintenance to be performed on the Voyager aircraft for them to remain airworthy all other airfields lack the necessary secure communications that are required to enable the relocation of the Voyager aircraft, an upgrade of communication systems is not possible without significant lead time of multiple years which does not meet the time scales required. Others would require full runway re-construction, again at significant time of several years. This is not in line with the time restrictions of Programme MACE's requirements . Without the pads, the 7 aircraft would quickly become unworthy of flight, jeopardising Defence outputs. In addition, there are no reasonable alternatives to dispersing the aircraft. The aircraft must be removed to accommodate the works at RAFBN . The requirement stipulates that these aircraft cannot be moved abroad due to security and operational readiness requirements. Another key output of this relocation is to keep the aircraft together to limit the geographical dispersal of the supporting teams, supplies and equipment which are critical to the maintenance of the aircraft while away from base. Dispersing the fleet across a number of sites, would stretch these already scarce resources and would ultimately lead to many of the aircraft becoming unworthy of flight as they would not be able to receive the level of maintenance required to keep them safe to deploy. The requirement for available for Part 145 compliant hangarage has also been stipulated for this reason to be able to safely an compliantly maintain the aircraft on site. Schedule 5, Paragraph 20 (Defence and Security) In addition, it is considered that the direct award of the contract is lawful pursuant to Section 41 and Schedule 5, Paragraph 20 of the Procurement Act 2023 as a defence and security contract (and not only by virtue of section 7(1)(g)) and it is necessary for the contract to be awarded directly to Glasgow Prestwick Airport in order to enhance or maintain the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces. The contract is a defence and security contract by virtue of Sections 7(1)(c), goods, services or works necessary for the development, production, maintenance or decommissioning of military equipment or sensitive equipment; (d), logistics services relating to military equipment or sensitive equipment; and (g), goods, services or works that are otherwise relevant to the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces of the Procurement Act 2023. It therefore fulfils both the first and second limbs of this ground. In relation to the third limb, the Direct Award to GPA is necessary to be awarded directly in order to enhance or maintain the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces. The Voyager A330 aircraft is the RAF's sole Air-to-Air Refuelling tanker, it serves to refuel fast jets and operates as strategic air transport. If the Voyager fleet are not safely re-housed, which these infrastructure upgrades will facilitate, they will be unavailable to support the Fast Jet fleet which critically defend UK airspace. Without the Voyager ready to deploy, fast jets would become inoperable, risking the safety of the UK armed forces, public and its allies. Thorough market research has shown there is only one possible location which meets all of the Defence and Security requirements set by MOD. Directly awarding this contract to GPA, is the only viable route to market to assure the upgrades are made in time for the relocation of aircraft. 3. Summary For the reasons outlined in this section of the transparency notice, it is considered that the direct award of this defence and security contract to GPA is necessary in order to enhance or maintain the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-054749
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015333-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71541000 - Construction project management services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,584,180 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Feb 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
12 Jun 20258 months ago
Contract Period
6 Mar 2026 - 30 Jun 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
abbie.keegan103@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
NAPHILL
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
Not specified
Local Authority
Buckinghamshire
Electoral Ward
Ridgeway West
Westminster Constituency
Mid Buckinghamshire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

GLASGOW PRESTWICK AIRPORT

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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. 

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