Award

UK5 - Lancaster Wheels Production (P3)

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

14 Jan 2026 at 16:55

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process conducted by Defence Equipment and Support, part of the UK Ministry of Defence and based in Bristol, concerns the production and in-service support of Lancaster Mainwheel Hub Assemblies necessary for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) operations. The procurement is classified within the services industry category, specifically focusing on aircraft maintenance services. The procurement, led via a direct award method due to specific technical requirements that limit competition, culminated in an award dated 14th January 2026. The contract, valued at £1 million excluding VAT, will commence on 16th February 2026 and is scheduled to conclude on 31st March 2028, with potential extensions to cover additional support years. This award is issued to Retrotec Limited, a company with specialised expertise located in Westfield, UK.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in the maintenance and production sectors of the aviation industry. Businesses with capabilities in delivering bespoke, technically demanding products for historical or specialised aircraft operations would benefit from pursuing similar contracts in the future. SMEs, particularly those with specific technical know-how like Retrotec Limited, which serves as the approved Design Organisation for Lancaster Mainwheel Hub Assemblies, would find themselves well-positioned to capitalize on niche procurement processes that require unique expertise and minimal competition.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UK5 - Lancaster Wheels Production (P3)

Notice Description

The Typhoon Delivery Team acting of behalf of the Battle for Britian Memorial Flight (BBMF) Project Team has a requirement to procure sufficient production of BBMF Lancaster Mainwheels to sustain Lancaster operations until OSD.

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/003254-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency 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
£1,000,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
14 Jan 20261 months ago
Contract Period
16 Feb 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
example.example@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS34 8JH
Post Town
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

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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