This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

19 Jun 2026 at 10:14

Award

19 Jun 2026 at 10:00

Planning

19 Jun 2026 at 09:44

Planning

19 Jun 2026 at 09:35

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process involves Defence Equipment and Support, a central government public authority based in Bristol, UK. It pertains to the "Out of Service Date Extension Programme D&M LH," focusing on extending the operational lifetime of military transport helicopters. The procurement is conducted under the "defenceSecurity" special regime, utilising a direct award method, justified by technical complexities and certification constraints. The process has reached the "complete" stage as of 19 June 2026. The procurement encompasses goods with an estimated contract value grossing £27,950,400, commencing on 1 June 2027, and concluding on 31 March 2035, with potential extensions available until 31 March 2040.

This tender provides significant opportunities for large businesses, especially those with expertise in military transport and helicopter maintenance, as it requires specialised knowledge and capabilities. Suppliers like Leonardo UK Limited, with its large-scale operations and prior experience, are well-suited to fulfil the needs set by the contract. The potential for contract renewal and extension amplifies the opportunity for sustained business growth within the defence industry sector. Businesses with the requisite technical skills and capacity to navigate complex defence specifications stand to gain a strategic advantage and build long-term partnerships with government entities.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

UK5 - OSDEP DM LH

Notice Description

Out of Service Date Extension Programme D&M LH

Planning Information

Direct award and workshop with supplier

Procurement Information

ssessment Phase activity included a review of whether the OSDEP requirement could be delivered through competition or required a single source approach. This concluded that both Lockheed Martin UK Ltd and Leonardo Helicopters UK Ltd hold the exclusive technical know-how, engineering expertise and manufacturing capability necessary to deliver the required modifications. The proposed suppliers are the recognised Design Authorities for the Merlin Mk2 and Mk4/4A platforms and are responsible for certification and continued airworthiness. Delivery of the requirement necessitates integration within existing platform architectures and safety-critical systems, continuity of Design Authority and certification activity, and access to platform-specific engineering capability, tooling and expertise. Any attempt to introduce an alternative supplier would require replication or transfer of Design Authority capability and associated certification frameworks. This would result in disproportionate cost, delay, and unacceptable technical and safety risk. The Authority therefore considers that the absence of competition arises from technical and certification constraints rather than reliance on exclusive rights, and that no reasonable alternatives or substitutes exist.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b8c5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057953-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

35612400 - Military transport helicopters

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£23,292,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£232,920,000 £100M-£1B
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Jun 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
19 Jun 2026Expired
Award Date
19 Jun 20266 days ago
Contract Period
31 May 2027 - 31 Mar 2035 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

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
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

LEONARDO

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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