Tender

BAS Helicopter Charter

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

07 Jan 2026 at 15:31

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), a central government authority in Swindon, Wiltshire, is conducting a tender for the BAS Helicopter Charter, essential for scientific research along the Greenland coast. The procurement process, valued at £420,000 gross, is in the tender stage with an open procedure, allowing submissions until 2nd February 2026. The enquiry period ends on 19th January 2026, and the contract is set to commence on 23rd February 2026, concluding by 31st August 2026, with a potential one-month extension due to delays. The primary service location is Greenland, classified under the CPV code for the hire of helicopters with crew.

This tender presents substantial business opportunities, particularly for companies specialising in helicopter logistics and scientific research support services. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) may find this contract aligns well with their capabilities. With a significant emphasis on quality, comprising 70% of the award criteria alongside 30% for cost, businesses with strong service quality and competitive cost structures will be well-positioned to succeed in this procurement process. The open procedure facilitates broad participation, enhancing opportunities for diverse suppliers to engage with a high-profile public sector buyer like UKRI.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

BAS Helicopter Charter

Notice Description

The purpose of this contract is to charter a helicopter to be stationed aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough, in order to conduct scientific research along the coast of Greenland.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Extension of 1 month to allow for potential delays such as weather issues or mechanical issues.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060136
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/001165-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60424120 - Hire of helicopters with crew

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£350,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£350,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
2 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
23 Feb 2026 - 31 Aug 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

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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