Planning

Pipeline Notice - Surface Finishing Delivery for the RAF

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

25 Mar 2026 at 08:37

PlanningUpdate

25 Mar 2026 at 08:32

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 for a Surface Finish (SF) capability to support various air systems used by the Royal Air Force (RAF), with the project known as Project URD. This initiative, titled "Pipeline Notice - Surface Finishing Delivery for the RAF," aims to ensure continued airworthiness and provide corrosion control and visual signature management for Mechanical Transport (MT) and Aircraft Ground Support Equipment (ASE). The procurement method is selective, with a competitive flexible procedure underway. Interested suppliers must express interest via email by 14th April 2026. The procurement is presently in the planning stage, and significant phases like preliminary market engagement are occurring, alongside planned contract commencement from 1st April 2027 to 31st March 2035. The main industry categories involved include services related to aircraft and military equipment, spanning across locations throughout the United Kingdom.

The tender process presents lucrative opportunities for businesses specialising in aircraft repair, corrosion control, and equipment maintenance. It is especially welcoming to SMEs, as indicated by the tender’s suitability classifications. Companies with expertise in spraying equipment, spray booths, metal-spraying machinery, and similar technologies are well positioned to compete for the tender. Given the project's scope, businesses that can deliver reliable aircraft and equipment services to various RAF stations across the UK and beyond would find significant growth prospects. The procurement also allows businesses to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Defence to meet strategic objectives, opening doors to potential partnerships and innovation within the defence sector.

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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 Suppliers interested in this Contract must express their interest by emailing Stephen.morrish101@mod.gov.uk, with the subject title ‘Expression of Interest - Surface Finishing Delivery for the RAF ( + Company Name)’”

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0663a6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027102-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK3 - Planned Procurement 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
25 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
10 Apr 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
25 Mar 2026Expired
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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