Award

Antarctic Ski Pilot

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

05 Dec 2025 at 21:51

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process, led by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), covers a contract titled "Antarctic Ski Pilot," focusing on the provision of pilot services for Antarctic flights. This process falls under the services category and utilises a direct procurement method, executed without competition due to below-threshold technical reasoning. The contracting activity, based in Swindon, Wiltshire with a delivery location in Antarctica, has progressed to the award stage, with the contract being fully active as of 6th November 2025 and running until 28th February 2026. There is potential for extension should unforeseen delays occur. The total contract value is £25,218 gross.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses, specifically in the niche field of pilot services tailored for extreme conditions like those in Antarctica. SMEs with expertise in aviation services, particularly those with a capability to provide pilots skilled in operating in polar environments, would find this opportunity highly relevant. The contract was awarded to "The Flying Dutchman," a small enterprise based in Cheltenham, indicating a competitive stance for similar-sized companies in seizing future contracts of this nature from central government bodies like UKRI.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Antarctic Ski Pilot

Notice Description

This contract is for the provision of a pilot with experience and capacity for Antarctic flights. This contract was awarded under Schedule 5 of the PA23 due to technical reasoning.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f041
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080389-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)


CPV Codes

60444100 - Pilot services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£21,015 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Dec 2025Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
5 Nov 20251 months ago
Contract Period
6 Nov 2025 - 28 Feb 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)
Contact Name
Commercial
Contact Email
nercprocurement@ukri.org
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

THE FLYING DUTCHMAN

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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