Award

Passenger Short Term Air Supply System (PSTASS)

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

10 Feb 2026 at 09:12

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Award

09 Feb 2026 at 14:27

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence's Defence Equipment and Support organisation in Bristol has completed a procurement process titled "Passenger Short Term Air Supply System (PSTASS)" under the defence and security category. This process, which is in the award stage, entails a direct award contract granted to Apeks Marine Equipment Limited. The procurement is for the provision of spares and post-design services, crucial for the maintenance of safety systems in rotary wing helicopters. The contract is valued at £233,000 including VAT and spans from 31st March 2026 to 31st March 2028, with an option to extend for an additional six months. This procurement method was chosen due to technical reasons, as Apeks is the original equipment manufacturer and possesses the necessary expertise and intellectual property rights.

This procurement offers significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in specialised equipment manufacturing and maintenance, particularly those with expertise in defence and aviation safety systems. SMEs engaged in the production or servicing of breathing apparatus and other critical elements for air supply systems may find expanding into contracts with Defence Equipment and Support advantageous. Given the direct award nature due to proprietary intellectual and technical knowledge, businesses with unique and highly specialised capabilities in producing or maintaining these systems are well-suited to participate in similar future opportunities. Establishing partnerships or collaborations with original equipment manufacturers might also offer a strategic advantage for related industries.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Passenger Short Term Air Supply System (PSTASS)

Notice Description

Provision of spares and Post Design Services including ad hoc tasking, repairs and modifications for Passenger Short Term Air Supply System, to provide on going support to the current in-service capability.

Procurement Information

The Air Enablers Delivery Team, part of the Ministry of Defence, intends to award a contract to Apex Marine Equipment Limited (Apex) for the provision of spare parts and post design services for the Passenger Short Term Air Supply System (the System), which is carried by passengers on rotary wing helicopters (Wildcat, Chinook, Merlin and Dauphin N2) and provides air the event of an emergency where the helicopter sinks under water. The contract will be for a term of 2 years plus one 6 month option and have an estimated value of PS233,000 including 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 (single supplier - technical reasons) applies. This is because Apex is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the System and has supported it since it was introduced into service in 2007. Only the OEM has the technical expertise, including designs, drawings and data packs, to maintain a vital piece of safety equipment and meet Military Aviation Authority (MAA) airworthiness requirements. There are no reasonable alternatives.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064b4c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011634-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)

CPV Codes

44611200 - Breathing apparatus

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£194,166 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
30 Mar 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
rodney.gardiner115@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

APEKS MARINE EQUIPMENT

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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