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Departure Manager (DMAN)

MAG AIRPORT LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

02 Sep 2026 at 11:13

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

24 Nov 2025 at 14:18

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

MAG Airport Limited procured a Departure Manager (DMAN) system framework for Manchester and London Stansted airports. The requirement covers a highly adaptable, interoperable and integrated system to replace existing Pre-Departure Sequencer systems used by air traffic controllers. The system is intended to support more intelligent and integrated airport operations and to meet regulatory requirements for DMAN implementation. The scope includes flight-control software, industry-specific software development and air-traffic-control software development services (CPV 48120000, 72212100 and 72212121). It also supports MAG’s planned introduction of Electronic Flight Progress Strip systems with Integrated Controller Working Positions. The procurement is categorised mainly as services, although the award describes the main deliverable as a DMAN system. Work is for airports within the Manchester Airports Group.

The procurement has been awarded following a competitive flexible procedure under an open process. It used one lot and a four-stage process: selection questionnaire, technical submissions with contract comments and presentations, best and final offers with negotiation meetings, then award. Evaluation weighted quality and technical capability at 60%, sustainable procurement at 10% and commercial considerations at 30%, including whole-life cost. Frequentis (UK) Limited was awarded the framework on 24 August 2026 for £5,000,000 excluding VAT (£6,000,000 including VAT). The award contract period runs from 22 September 2026 to 21 September 2033, with extensions potentially taking it to 21 September 2041. MAG expects one framework participant, without reopening competition. Economic and technical selection criteria applied, and SMEs were eligible.

This award signals a substantial, long-term requirement for airport departure-management technology and associated support. Suppliers best placed for a future requirement would demonstrate proven DMAN or air-traffic-control software capability, experience integrating operational airport systems and the ability to deliver interoperable solutions for air-traffic controllers. Credibility would also depend on handling implementation alongside Electronic Flight Progress Strip and Integrated Controller Working Position environments, rather than supplying isolated software. Relevant businesses should be able to provide adaptable technology, software development, licences, hardware, upgrades, maintenance and support within one delivery model. Experience of regulated airport or air-navigation environments, whole-life cost management and sustainable procurement would strengthen a competing offer. The procurement was suitable for SMEs, but delivery across major airports requires credible technical capacity and dependable long-term service capability.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Departure Manager (DMAN)

Notice Description

MAG invited tenders to establish a Framework Agreement for Departure Manager (DMAN) systems at our Manchester (MAN) and London Stansted (STN) Airports). Manchester Airports Group (MAG) currently uses Pre-Departure Sequencer (PDS) systems at Manchester (MAN) and London Stansted (STN) airports to support air traffic controllers (ATCOs), but these systems depend heavily on human expertise and lack the comprehensive functionality of a Departure Management (DMAN) system. In response to the 2022 amendment to the Air Traffic Management Regulation (EU No 716/2014), MAG is now required to implement DMAN systems at both airports, marking a significant move toward more intelligent and integrated airport operations. Additionally, MAG plans to install new Electronic Flight Progress Strip (EFPS) systems with Integrated Controller Working Positions (ICWP), with completion targeted for 2028 at Manchester and 2032 at Stansted. To meet these timelines, fully operational and standardised replacement systems must be in place at each airport by their respective deadlines. There is a need for the successful supplier to supply a highly adaptable, interoperable and integrated solution for the implementation of a DMAN system in accordance with the Requirements set out in the tender documentation.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: MAG shall have the option to procure any hardware, software, licences, product upgrades, or services that relate to or are ancillary to the main purpose of the contract notice and / or that are required in order to receive the benefit of the applicable goods or services being procured. All airports as currently part of the MAG Group reserve the right to potentially procure similar DMAN systems for these airport(s) through the resulting framework agreement. In the event that MAG acquires any other airport(s), we also reserve the right to potentially procure similar DMAN systems for these airport(s) through the resulting framework agreement.

Renewal: The Framework will be let for an initial period of 7 years with potential further extensions taking it through to 15 years in total. This potential framework length will allow MAG to call off any maintenance and support requirements long beyond the initial implementation at each airport. The extensions may be exercised at MAG's discretion based on a range of factors including business needs and circumstances

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e77d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082975-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

48120000 - Flight control software package

72212100 - Industry specific software development services

72212121 - Air traffic control software development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
23 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
24 Aug 20262 months ago
Contract Period
22 Sep 2026 - 21 Sep 2033 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MAG AIRPORT LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M90 1QX
Postcode Area
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England)
Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Woodhouse Park
Westminster Constituency
Wythenshawe and Sale East

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Frequentis (UK) Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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