---
title: "Merlin Out Of Service Extension Programme Assessment Phase 2"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04b23a"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04b23a"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04b23a.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04b23a.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2024-10-29"
---

# Merlin Out Of Service Extension Programme Assessment Phase 2

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04b23a

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## Summary

The Ministry of Defence has completed the procurement process for the Merlin Out Of Service Extension Programme (OSDEP) Assessment Phase 2. The project, classified under the industry category of "Repair and maintenance services of helicopters," is under the Services procurement category. The single lot contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin through a limited procurement method without prior publication, given their unique qualifications and technical expertise with the Merlin Mk2 and Mk4/4a aircraft. The procurement strategy also involved the establishment of a Joint Project Office to mitigate co-ordination risks. The contract, valued at £90,000,000, was signed on 29th October 2024, and the service location is the South West of England (UKK region).

This tender represents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in helicopter maintenance, repair, and associated services. Companies with capabilities in handling complex defence-related projects, possessing substantial technical expertise, and having experience in managing coordination between different defence contractors would find this contract particularly well-suited. Additionally, subcontracting opportunities might exist, providing further prospect for smaller firms to participate in supporting roles and potentially form strategic partnerships with leading defence contractors like Lockheed Martin. This could help businesses considerably in expanding their portfolio and establishing a foothold in defence procurement.

## Notice

Contract to undertake the Assessment Phase 2 of the OSDEP Programme

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Out of Service Extension Programme for Merlin Assessment Phase 2

### Procurement Information

The Secretary of State for Defence intends to enter into a Qualifying Defence Contract with Lockhead Martin 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 Lockhead Martin 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. The procurement strategy taken is one where parallel, mirrored Single Source Qualifying Defence Contracts are to be with Leonardo Helicopters and Lockheed Martin acting as CDOs. This aims to reduce the co-ordination risk seen in previous projects by establishing a Joint Project Office (JPO).

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035016-2024 |
| 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 | 29 Oct 2024 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 29 Oct 2024 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £90,000,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| 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 | LOCKHEAD MARTIN |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 50 - Repair and maintenance services

### Codes

- 50212000 - Repair and maintenance services of helicopters

## Release History

- 29 Oct 2024 at 13:34 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035016-2024

## 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-04b23a. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04b23a.json.