---
title: "Merlin Out of Service Extension Programme Assessment Phase"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0491c3"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0491c3"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0491c3.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0491c3.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2024-08-19"
---

# Merlin Out of Service Extension Programme Assessment Phase

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0491c3

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## Summary

The Ministry of Defence has completed the procurement process for the "Merlin Out of Service Extension Programme Assessment Phase," classified under the "Repair and maintenance services of helicopters" industry category. The contract, valued at £1,000,000, was awarded on 21 February 2022 to Leonardo Helicopter UK, with both the buyer and supplier based in Yeovil, UK. This procurement, conducted without prior publication of a call for competition, aims to address obsolescence issues anticipated to affect various Merlin helicopter models in the 2030+ timescale and involves extensive assessment and validation work.

This tender provides a significant business growth opportunity, particularly for companies specialising in aerospace and defence services, given the complexity and technical requirements of maintaining advanced helicopter systems. While this specific contract was awarded to Leonardo Helicopter UK due to their unique expertise and access to necessary technical data, other firms in the defence sector might find similar opportunities in related future tenders, especially those with capabilities in aircraft maintenance, obsolescence management, and specialised defence equipment support.

## Notice

Contract to undertake the Assessment Phase of the OSDEP Programme.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Out of Service Extension Programme for Merlin Assessment Phase

### Procurement Information

The Secretary of State for Defence has entered into a contract with Leonardo Helicopters to undertake a full review of and validation of the obsolescence issues anticipated to arise in with the airframes and equipment together with the associated training aids in the 2030+ timescale in order to extend the Out of Service date of the Merlin Mk2 and Mk4/4a aircraft. In accordance with regulation 4 of The Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/697) this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 as amended (in particular by SI 2019/697 and SI 2020/1450). Prior publication of a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union is no longer appropriate. It is considered that the award of the contract without prior publication of a contract notice in the UK e-notification service (in accordance with the relevant legislation) is lawful in accordance with regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) because Leonardo Helicopters have the specific know-how, tools and equipment and access to the technical drawings, publications and manufacturing data pertaining to the relevant Merlin Mk4/4a aircraft to fulfil all the contractual requirements.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026310-2024 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 19 Aug 2024 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 21 Feb 2022 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £1,000,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE |
| Locality | YEOVIL |
| Post town | Not specified |
| Postcode | N/A |
| Country | Not specified |
| ITL 1 | Not specified |
| ITL 2 | Not specified |
| ITL 3 | Not specified |
| Local authority | Not specified |
| Electoral ward | Not specified |
| Westminster constituency | Not specified |
| Delivery location | TLK South West (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | LEONARDO HELICOPTER |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation
- 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment
- 50 - Repair and maintenance services

### Codes

- 34711500 - Helicopters
- 35612200 - Anti submarine warfare helicopters
- 35612300 - Support helicopters
- 35612400 - Military transport helicopters
- 50212000 - Repair and maintenance services of helicopters

## Release History

- 19 Aug 2024 at 12:38 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026310-2024

## Notice URLs

- https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0491c3. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0491c3.json.