Planning

Pipeline Notice - Surface Finishing Delivery for the RAF

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Planning

13 Mar 2026 at 16:07

Planning

10 Mar 2026 at 11:05

Planning

06 Mar 2026 at 08:42

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is planning a procurement process to establish a Surface Finish (SF) capability for various Air Systems under Project URD, essential for maintaining airworthiness according to Platform Engineering Authorities. Located at RAF High Wycombe in the United Kingdom, the procurement falls under the services category with a special regime for Defence and Security. The process is currently in the planning stage with milestones including a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) scheduled on 27th March, aiming to close on 7th April 2026. Suppliers have until the 14th of April 2026 to express interest and complete a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Interested parties are also invited to attend a designated meeting on 27th March to discuss the requirements and scope.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in aircraft and spacecraft, military aircraft services, aircraft maintenance, spray equipment, and related services, providing potential growth via collaboration with the Ministry of Defence. With a gross contract value of £114 million and a planned contract period from April 2027 to March 2035, this tender is particularly suitable for SMEs that can deliver innovative solutions for SF capabilities. The competitive flexible procedure allows suppliers to express interest and provides electronic submissions in English, ensuring accessibility and a level playing field for a range of qualified vendors and service providers.

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Notice Title

Pipeline Notice - Surface Finishing Delivery for the RAF

Notice Description

The Authority requires a Surface Finish (SF) capability to support Air Systems in the Project URD. This capability is essential to ensure the continued airworthiness of these Air Systems, as mandated by the relevant Platform Engineering Authorities. Additionally, the Authority requires an SF capability for Mechanical Transport (MT) and Aircraft Ground Support Equipment (GSE) collectively called ASE to support corrosion control and visual signature management in line with current policies. The SF capability will also be required to deliver miscellaneous station support tasks, such as the production of signage and other station workshop outputs. This capability must be readily accessible to all RAF stations across the UK and to UK Strategic Command (UKStratCom) Permanent Joint Operating Bases (PJOBs) overseas.

Planning Information

The Authority requires a Surface Finish (SF) capability to support Air Systems in the Project URD. This capability is essential to ensure the continued airworthiness of these Air Systems, as mandated by the relevant Platform Engineering Authorities. The intention to close preliminary market engagement is 7th April. Suppliers are invited to partake in a PME Teams meeting, on 27th March from 10.30 – 12.30. The agenda for the meeting will be – • Introduction and purpose (15 minutes) • Background and vision (20 minutes) • Proposed requirements and scope (25 minutes) • Interactive Q&A (40 minutes) • Next steps and timelines (5-10 minutes) Minutes will be taking during the meeting. Following the PME session, presentation slides will be shared and Q&A document distributed. This PME is intended to help identify the potential bidders who can deliver the required services and who can collaborate with the Ministry of Defence (RAF) to achieve the Authority’s long-term strategic objectives. It will inform and shape the next steps and strategy for this procurement, based on the information and feedback received, ensuring that the proposed solution is robust, realistic and aligned with market conditions and appetite. The PME exercise is designed to achieve the following: • Identify Potential Bidders • Explore Alternative Solutions • Understand Risks and Opportunities • Shape the Service Requirement

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0663a6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023172-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

39 - Furniture (incl. office furniture), furnishings, domestic appliances (excl. lighting) and cleaning products

42 - Industrial machinery

45 - Construction work

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

34700000 - Aircraft and spacecraft

35610000 - Military aircrafts

39236000 - Spray booths

42665000 - Metal-spraying machinery

42924300 - Spraying equipment

42924310 - Spray guns

42924700 - Mechanical appliances for projecting, dispersing or spraying

42957000 - Parts of spraying machines

45440000 - Painting and glazing work

50210000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services related to aircraft and other equipment

50211200 - Aircraft repair services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£95,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Mar 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
10 Apr 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
18 Jun 20264 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2035 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
RAF HIGH WYCOMBE
Postcode
HP14 4UE
Post Town
Hemel Hempstead
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ13 Buckinghamshire
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Buckinghamshire
Electoral Ward
Ridgeway West
Westminster Constituency
Mid Buckinghamshire

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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