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714923453 BBMF Lancaster Aircraft PDS Transparency Notice

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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03 Feb 2026 at 09:32

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process, managed by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), a central government public authority in Bristol, involves the provision of Post Design Services (PDS) for the BBMF Lancaster Aircraft. This contract is in the award stage as of 3 February 2026, with BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd named as the supplier. The procurement was conducted through a direct award due to technical reasons, specifically the unique expertise required for maintaining the only flying Lancaster aircraft in Europe. The contract period starts on 1 April 2026 and runs until 31 March 2030, with potential extensions up to 2035. The estimated contract value is £3.5 million. The procurement falls under the aircraft maintenance services industry category, with the key milestone being the future signature date scheduled for 23 March 2026.

This tender offers significant business opportunities, particularly for large enterprises capable of delivering specialised aircraft maintenance services. Companies with experience in maintaining historical or unique aircraft, like the Lancaster, and those who are already established within defense and aeronautical industries, would find this contract opportunistic for expanding their service portfolio. Additionally, businesses that can deliver niche engineering services related to legacy equipment and those capable of taking on long-term projects with phased extensions could benefit greatly, as there are optional 12-month extensions built into the contract to align with the forthcoming BISAP suite of contracts and OSD.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

714923453 BBMF Lancaster Aircraft PDS Transparency Notice

Notice Description

provision of Post Design Services (PDS) for the Lancaster Aircraft, along with associated supporting activities.

Procurement Information

There is a requirement to contract for the Post Design Services (PDS) of the BBMF Lancaster aircraft. The BBMF Delivery team, part of DE&S in the UK Ministry of Defence ("the Authority"), intends to award a 5-year contract to BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd for the PDS of the BBMF Lancaster aircraft, with further options for extension. The estimated contract value is 3.5M 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 (Technical reasons) applies, which reads:- (6) The following conditions are met in relation to the public contract-- (a)due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and (b)there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works. The Authority submits that this justification applies because, due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, and there being no alternatives, only BAE Systems are able to provide the services required. The BBMF Lancaster is the sole flying Lancaster aircraft in Europe, and as such BAE Systems has the required technical expertise necessary to fulfil the Authority's requirement and owns the relevant technical information relating to the Lancaster, without which the PDS activities cannot be conducted. BAE Systems operates as the original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and as the MAA Design Approved Organisation (DAOS) for the Lancaster, which is a critical requirement from the MAA for any Company completing design activities on the Lancaster. There would also be a serious risk to airworthiness of a single legacy platform with significant importance to the history of the RAF and Britain.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0614fc
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009282-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

50211100 - Aircraft maintenance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£3,000,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2030 4-5 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
Jess Pellowe
Contact Email
jess.pellowe101@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

BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS

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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