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Passenger Short Term Air Supply System (PSTASS)

Defence Equipment and Support

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

14 Jul 2026 at 14:50

UK5 - Transparency Notice
AwardUpdate

14 Jul 2026 at 14:44

UK5 - Transparency Notice
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 procurement process led by Defence Equipment and Support, a central government public authority based in Bristol, involves the direct award of a contract to Apeks Marine Equipment Limited. This contract, titled "Passenger Short Term Air Supply System (PSTASS)," falls under the 'goods' industry category and is crucial for maintaining air supply systems used in military rotary wing helicopters. The procurement stage is marked as 'complete,' with the contract period scheduled from 1st September 2026 to 1st March 2029. The contract, valued at £455,000 including VAT, was set to be signed on 14th August 2026. It follows a direct procurement method due to Apeks being the Original Equipment Manufacturer with exclusive technical rights, justified under the Defence Equipment and Support's special regime for defence and security.

This tender presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in aerospace and safety equipment manufacturing. As the awarded entity, Apeks Marine Equipment Limited showcases that businesses with a niche focus, especially those that are Original Equipment Manufacturers or have proprietary technology, are well-suited to compete for such contracts. Additionally, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) like Apeks can leverage their technical expertise and unique capabilities to secure public contracts, thus fostering further innovation and expertise in the defence sector. This contract reinforces the importance of strategic partnerships and maintaining industry standards in safety and technical performance.

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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 2.5 years and has an estimated value of PS455,000 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/066275-2026
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
£379,166 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Feb 20266 months ago
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 1 Mar 2029 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
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

Apeks Marine Equipment Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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