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UK5 - Lancaster Wheels Production (P3)

Defence Equipment and Support

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

27 Aug 2026 at 10:42

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

26 Jun 2026 at 14:06

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

14 Jan 2026 at 16:55

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Defence Equipment and Support, part of the UK Ministry of Defence, procured the production and in-service support of Lancaster Mainwheel Hub Assemblies. These are critical aircraft components needed to maintain the continued airworthiness of the Lancaster aircraft operated by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The requirement is classified as aircraft repair and maintenance services (CPV 50211000), with delivery and performance in the United Kingdom. The procurement covers one requirement and is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. Retrotec Limited, based in Northiam near Rye, was selected as the supplier. Crown Commercial Service acted as the procuring entity for the process, while Defence Equipment and Support is the organisation buying and using the service.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded to Retrotec Limited. It used a direct award under Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023, relying on the Schedule 5 paragraph 6 justification for an absence of competition for technical reasons and no alternatives. The award was made on 26 June 2026 for £884,316 excluding VAT (£1,061,179 including VAT). The award period runs from 9 July 2026 to 31 July 2028, with a maximum extent date of 26 July 2029 and an optional third year for the in-service support solution. The contract was signed on 21 July 2026 and runs from 21 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. Its value is £1,080,242 excluding VAT (£1,296,290.40 including VAT), with a single option year of in-service support.

This requirement indicates sustained demand for specialist manufacture and support of components for historic military aircraft, where airworthiness and technical assurance are central to supplier selection. A credible future supplier would need the capability to produce Lancaster Mainwheel Hub Assemblies safely, provide continuing in-service support and manage the associated engineering and project activity. The selected supplier was identified as the only approved Design Organisation for the component, and its approval provides the technical basis for production activities accepted by the Military Aviation Authority. Businesses considering this type of work would therefore need equivalent design authority, aviation engineering competence and evidence that their components and support processes meet military airworthiness requirements. Strong performance would also require disciplined service management, including response times, project planning and schedule control.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UK5 - Lancaster Wheels Production (P3)

Notice Description

The Defence Equipment & Support, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (the "Authority"), intends to award a contract to Retrotec Limited for the production and in-service support of Lancaster Mainwheel Hub Assemblies, a critical component for the continued airworthiness of the Lancaster aircraft operated by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). The contract is intended to run for a two-year period of ~ 02-2026 to 02-2028. The estimated contract value is PS1m excluding VAT. It is considered that this contract can be awarded under Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 because the direct award justification specified in paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 applies. The Authority submits that this justification applies because due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, and there being no alternatives, only Retrotec Limited are able to provide the services required. Retrotec Limited has the required technical expertise necessary to fulfil the Authority's requirement as they operate as the only approved Design Organisation (DO) for the Lancaster Mainwheel Hub Assembly component, which is a critical requirement from the MAA for any Company completing production activities for the Lancaster aircraft to ensure the components produced are safe and airworthy.

Procurement Information

The Defence Equipment & Support, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (the "Authority"), intends to award a contract to Retrotec Limited for the production and in-service support of Lancaster Mainwheel Hub Assemblies, a critical component for the continued airworthiness of the Lancaster aircraft operated by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). The contract is intended to run for a two-year period of ~ 02-2026 to 02-2028. The estimated contract value is PS1m excluding VAT. It is considered that this contract can be awarded under Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 because the direct award justification specified in paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 applies. The Authority submits that this justification applies because due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, and there being no alternatives, only Retrotec Limited are able to provide the services required. Retrotec Limited has the required technical expertise necessary to fulfil the Authority's requirement as they operate as the only approved Design Organisation (DO) for the Lancaster Mainwheel Hub Assembly component, which is a critical requirement from the MAA for any Company completing production activities for the Lancaster aircraft to ensure the components produced are safe and airworthy.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060610
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081642-2026
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
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

50211000 - Repair and maintenance services of aircraft

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£884,316 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
£1,080,242 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
14 Jan 20268 months ago
Contract Period
21 Jul 2026 - 30 Jun 2027 6-12 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
Defence Equipment and Support
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS34 8JH
Postcode Area
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Retrotec 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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