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UKRI-6171 Twin Otter Maintenance and Spares

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

26 Oct 2026 at 20:24

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) intends to procure maintenance and engineering services for its four Viking DHC6-300 Twin Otter aircraft. The expected scope covers airframe, engine, avionics and design engineering, alongside spare parts and additional tooling. Services are also expected to support aircraft availability through inspections, audits and medical evacuations, and include safe aircraft storage. Suppliers will need to work within relevant regulations and certification requirements. This is an aircraft maintenance services requirement, with delivery in the UK.

The procurement is at the planning stage: UKRI has stated its intention to contract, but this is not an invitation to tender. UKRI plans to invite interested parties to complete a Request for Information through its e-sourcing system, with responses expected by 6 November 2026. A further notice is expected on 10 November 2026. The anticipated contract period runs from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2032. The estimated value is £9 million excluding VAT (£10.8 million including VAT). The requirement is presented as a single lot. No procurement procedure or evaluation basis is set out at this stage.

The requirement is likely to suit aircraft maintenance and engineering providers able to support a fleet of four Twin Otters across airframe, engine, avionics and design work. Relevant capabilities include supplying spares and tooling, carrying out inspections and audits, supporting medical evacuations, and arranging safe aircraft storage. Suppliers should be able to meet applicable aviation regulations and certification requirements. UKRI has identified small and medium-sized businesses, as well as voluntary, community and social enterprises, as suitable for the requirement. The planned market engagement offers prospective suppliers a chance to provide information on their services and capabilities before the procurement reaches competition.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-6171 Twin Otter Maintenance and Spares

Notice Description

UKRI is looking to establish a contract for engineering services (airframe, engine, avionics and design) relating to the maintenance of our four Viking DHC6-300 (Twin Otter) aircraft. This requirement is likely to cover the following services, please note this list is not exhaustive: - Supply of spare parts and additional tooling - Engineering services (Airframe, Engine, Avionics and Design) - Adherence to relevant regulations and certifications - Ensuring availability of aircraft (inspections, audits, medevacs) - Safe storage of aircraft *Please note this is not a call for competition, this is only a Request for Information exercise*

Planning Information

Interested Parties will be invited to complete a Request for Information, that will be made available via the e-sourcing system. Interested Suppliers can express their interest on the portal here: https://ukri2.my.salesforce-sites.com/ProSpend__CS_ContractPage?SearchType=Projects&uid=a1MTm00000DBO17MAH&searchStr=&sortStr=Recently+Published&page=1&filters=&County=

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0790ac
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/101273-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

50211100 - Aircraft maintenance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£9,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Oct 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Nov 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

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
TLH12 Cambridgeshire CC
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

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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