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Public Sector Air Capability

Cabinet Office

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

18 Jun 2026 at 12:43

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

28 May 2026 at 11:54

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

22 May 2026 at 17:06

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

19 Mar 2026 at 09:58

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Cabinet Office is currently in the tender stage for a procurement process titled "Public Sector Air Capability," which seeks to provide a dedicated wet-lease passenger aircraft service. This procurement is aligned under the services category and is specifically focused on the hire of fixed-wing aircraft with crew. The procurement is being conducted through an open, competitive flexible procedure, and its key stages include participation conditions, a procurement-specific questionnaire, and a multi-stage competitive dialogue. The process is being managed from London and the project necessitates commencement by 1st April 2027. Procurement submissions for the initial stage are due by 22nd June 2026, with a projected award finalisation date by 1st December 2026. The Cabinet Office, as part of the central government, oversees this tender and is seeking a supplier capable of providing a single-aisle narrow-body aircraft with specified performance requirements including non-stop operational capabilities and high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity for passengers.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses within the aerospace and aviation sectors, particularly those capable of providing technically advanced and regulatory compliant aircraft services. Companies with strong technical and financial backgrounds, possessing valid UK Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence, and holding a Worldwide Air Operator Certificate for global passenger operations, will find this tender particularly suited to their capabilities. The procurement's emphasis on technical quality and social value, alongside its substantial budget, underscores the potential for considerable growth and contract value for successful bidders who can meet the outlined criteria and deliver on the high standards required for public sector aviation support. Suppliers are encouraged to engage actively in the dialogue and negotiation stages to refine their proposals to meet the Cabinet Office’s exacting standards.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Public Sector Air Capability

Notice Description

The Cabinet Office is seeking the provision of a dedicated wet-lease passenger aircraft service, with a mandatory commencement date of 01 April 2027. The aircraft shall be a single aisle narrow-body aircraft (G-Reg) with a minimum range capability of 3,900nm while carrying a Payload of 5,500kg. This performance must be guaranteed against 85% annual probability headwinds to ensure year-round, non-stop operational viability. The aircraft must be equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity for passenger use.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: A known risk that may impact on the operation of the contract to the satisfaction of the authority is changes to the aviation operating environment that may require changes to the technical specification of the aircraft to be provided during the contract with such changes including but not limited to the introduction of technologies related to decarbonization, adaptations seeking to minimise extreme weather impacts, security related considerations, regulatory changes and changes to airfield infrastructure / ground operations.

Renewal: We will invoke the extensions for up to a further 2 years if required.

Planning Information

To participate in this Preliminary Market Engagement exercise, interested parties are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via email to co.travel@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. Following the EOI, the engagement will proceed according to the following structured timeline. Please note that adherence to the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) deadline is a mandatory requirement for progression to the technical discussion phase. 19 March 2026: Preliminary Market Engagement - open 25 March 2026: Expressions of Interest window - close 25 March 2026: NDA Execution - Mandatory NDA issued to interested parties 27 March 2026: NDA Deadline - Signed NDAs must be returned via email 27 March 2026: Engagement Pack - The Engagement Pack will be shared with participants and it will contain specific technical points and questions. Suppliers should note that the information requested within this pack will form the basis of the discussion on the Engagement Day. 01 - 02 April 2026: Engagement Sessions - Individual 2-hour sessions will consist of a participant led presentation followed by a technical Q&A. To facilitate a structured discussion, participating parties are required to provide a summary presentation (in PDF or PowerPoint format) outlining their capability against requirements defined in the Engagement Pack. Sessions will be held virtually via Google Meets; meeting slots will be formally allocated upon the successful execution of a NDA. Note: This process is designed to facilitate a high level technical exchange. The Cabinet Office reserves the right to adjust the timeline based on the volume of interest received.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066e6f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057538-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60424110 - Hire of fixed-wing aircraft with crew

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£72,000,000,000 Over £10B
Lots Value
£72,000,000,000 Over £10B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Jun 20263 months ago
Submission Deadline
22 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Cabinet Office
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2AS
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

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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