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Aircraft Refueling during Antarctic flying seasons 2026-27

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

16 Oct 2026 at 12:59

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

15 Oct 2026 at 08:00

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

15 Oct 2026 at 07:55

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) procured aircraft refuelling for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) during Antarctic flying seasons 2026–27. The requirement is for fuel supply to support aircraft operations in Antarctica, classified as petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other energy sources (CPV 09000000). Delivery is in Antarctica. The procurement is a single-lot requirement, covering aircraft refuelling for BAS rather than a broader aviation or fuel-supply programme.

The procurement is complete and the contract has been awarded to World Fuel Services Europe Ltd. UKRI used a direct award, citing technical reasons and a single supplier’s technical capability. The award date was 14 October 2026 and the contract was signed on 15 October 2026. The contract runs from 28 October 2026 to 28 October 2027. Its value is £800,000 excluding VAT (£960,000 including VAT). The procurement was evaluated and awarded on technical grounds; the published data does not provide further evaluation criteria. The requirement was a single lot, which was identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

For suppliers considering a future Antarctic aircraft-refuelling requirement for BAS, this award demonstrates demand for fuel supply that can support aircraft operations in Antarctica. A credible competitor would need to show it can reliably deliver and provide refuelling services in this remote location and meet the technical requirements that led UKRI to use a direct award on single-supplier technical grounds. The single lot was considered suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, so the requirement was not restricted to large businesses. Relevant experience in fuel logistics for aircraft and the operational capability to support Antarctic flying seasons would be central to demonstrating fitness for this specific work.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Aircraft Refueling during Antarctic flying seasons 2026-27

Notice Description

Aircraft Refueling during Antarctic flying seasons 2026-27 for BAS.

Procurement Information

Technical reasons

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-07880a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/097934-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details 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

09 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy

CPV Codes

09000000 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£800,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
£800,000 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
14 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
28 Oct 2026 - 28 Oct 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Postcode Area
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

World Fuel Services Europe Ltd

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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