Award

Merlin Out Of Service Date Extension Programme (OSDEP) Assessment Phase 2

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

25 Jun 2025 at 13:21

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence has concluded the Merlin Out Of Service Extension Programme (OSDEP) Assessment Phase 2 contract, primarily focusing on the repair and maintenance services of helicopters. This service contract aims to extend the operational capabilities of the Merlin Mk4/4a aircraft until 2040, after evaluating anticipated obsolescence issues. The procurement process was completed under a limited procedure, justified by the unique expertise and equipment required. The contract, valued at £14.6 million, was awarded to Leonardo UK Ltd and signed on 2nd June 2025. The project's location is based in the UKK region.

This tender represents an opportunity primarily for large businesses with expertise in aerospace engineering and defence projects, particularly in the UK. Companies with the necessary technical knowledge, and specific equipment related to helicopter maintenance, positioned to engage with the Ministry of Defence, might find substantial growth potential in this sector. Given the specialised nature of the contract, it aligns with firms like Leonardo UK Ltd, which possess access to critical technical data and the capability to support the Ministry's objectives of prolonged aircraft service life.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Merlin Out Of Service Date Extension Programme (OSDEP) Assessment Phase 2

Notice Description

Merlin Out Of Service Extension Programme (OSDEP) Assessment Phase 2 is to support the Merlin Mk4/4a through to an extended out of service date of 2024 to develop solutions in order to contract a D&M Contract.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Merlin Out Of Service Extension Programme (OSDEP) Assessment Phase 2 is to support the Merlin Mk4/4a through to an extended out of service date of 2024 to develop solutions in order to contract a D&M Contract.

Procurement Information

The Secretary of State for Defence has entered into a Qualifying Defence Contract with Leonardo Helicopters to undertake a full review of and validation of the obsolescence issues anticipated to arise in with the airframes and equipment together with the associated training aids in the 2030+ timescale in order to extend the Out of Service date of the Merlin Mk2 and Mk4/4a aircraft out to 2040. In accordance with regulation 4 of The Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/697) this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 as amended (in particular by SI 2019/697 and SI 2020/1450). Prior publication of a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union is no longer appropriate. It is considered that the award of the contract without prior publication of a contract notice in the UK e-notification service (in accordance with the relevant legislation) is lawful in accordance with regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) because Leonardo Helicopters have the specific know-how, tools and equipment and access to the technical drawings, publications and manufacturing data pertaining to the relevant Merlin Mk4/4a aircraft to fulfil all the contractual requirements.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-055379
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035099-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

50212000 - Repair and maintenance services of helicopters

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£14,612,024 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Jun 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
1 Jun 20258 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
rebecca.pickford792@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
YEOVIL
Postcode
BA20 2YB
Post Town
Bath
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK62 Somerset
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Somerset
Electoral Ward
Yeovil South
Westminster Constituency
Yeovil

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

LEONARDO

Further Information

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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