--- title: "Project MACE - Provision of Infrastructure Upgrades at Glasgow Prestwick Airport" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-054749" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-054749" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054749.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054749.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE" published: "2026-03-25" --- # Project MACE - Provision of Infrastructure Upgrades at Glasgow Prestwick Airport Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-054749 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-054749) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054749.json) ## Summary The Ministry of Defence has awarded a direct contract to Glasgow Prestwick Airport for infrastructure upgrades essential to the relocation and maintenance of the RAF’s Voyager A330 fleet, as part of Project MACE. This procurement is classified within the consultative engineering and construction services category, specifically directed towards enhancing military facilities and ensuring operational readiness. Located at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Prestwick, UKM94, the contract's term is slated from 6 March 2026 to 30 June 2026, with a gross contract value of £2,376,270. As a strategic move overseen by central government, this contract leverages single supplier technical reasons and defence and security justification under the Procurement Act 2023, with concrete jacking pads upgrades being pivotal to fulfilling strict Defence requirements. The contract holds substantial potential for growing businesses engaged in construction services and project management, especially those specialising in defence infrastructure improvements. Companies with expertise in military airfield enhancements will find ample opportunities to contribute to critical defence operations securing UK airspace. The necessity for Part 145 compliant hangarage offers distinct avenues for consultants and contractors skilled in aviation infrastructure, positioning them uniquely to support the safe housing and maintenance of military aircraft. Companies well-versed in both logistics and technical refinements can leverage their specialties to meet the Ministry of Defence’s operational demands and ensure the availability and airworthiness of strategic assets like the Voyager A330 fleet. ## Notice Transparency Notice (UK05) - Provision of Services for Infrastructure Upgrades at GPA 1. Overview Air Commercial, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) intends to award a contract to Glasgow Prestwick Airport (GPA) for the provision of services The estimated value of the contract is PS750,000 with a proposed term of 36 weeks. This Direct Award is related to a larger Programme of work, referred to as MACE. 'Project MACE' is the name given to the bolthole operation while the Aerodrome Operating Surfaces (AOS) are resurfaced at RAF Brize Norton. This Programme of work requires a number of aircraft from the Air Mobility Force (AMF) to be relocated to alternative airfields while the works are underway. The requirement at Glasgow Prestwick Airport is for the Voyager A330 fleet. The Voyager A330 aircraft is the RAF's sole Air-to-Air Refuelling tanker, it serves to refuel fast jets and operates as strategic air transport. If the Voyager fleet are not safely re-housed, they will be unavailable to support the Fast Jet fleet which critically defend UK airspace. For the safe and compliant re-housing of this fleet, a number of low-level upgrades including concrete jacking pads, are required at GPA. These upgrades will facilitate the re-location of the aircraft in the Summer of 2026. As a covered procurement, this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023. This Direct Award relies on two justifications as permitted for under the Procurement Act 2023 legislation: Schedule 5, Paragraph 6 (Single Supplier) and Schedule 5, Paragraph 20 (Defence and Security). This Transparency Notice will address each of these justifications below. 2. Grounds Satisfied Schedule 5 - Paragraph 6 (Single Supplier) It is considered that the direct award of the contract is lawful pursuant to Section 41 and Schedule 5, Paragraph 6 of the Procurement Act 2023 because competition is absent for technical reasons such that only Glasgow Prestwick Airport can achieve the requirement and there are no reasonable alternatives. There are strict technical requirements attached to the relocation of the Voyager A330 aircraft. Only one airport, Glasgow Prestwick Airport can meet all of the MOD's technical requirements. GPA is the only airport that could take 7 Voyager aircraft. Whilst GPA requires some financial investment to upgrade the concrete jacking pads to allow maintenance to be performed on the Voyager aircraft for them to remain airworthy all other airfields lack the necessary secure communications that are required to enable the relocation of the Voyager aircraft, an upgrade of communication systems is not possible without significant lead time of multiple years which does not meet the time scales required. Others would require full runway re-construction, again at significant time of several years. This is not in line with the time restrictions of Programme MACE's requirements . Without the pads, the 7 aircraft would quickly become unworthy of flight, jeopardising Defence outputs. In addition, there are no reasonable alternatives to dispersing the aircraft. The aircraft must be removed to accommodate the works at RAFBN . The requirement stipulates that these aircraft cannot be moved abroad due to security and operational readiness requirements. Another key output of this relocation is to keep the aircraft together to limit the geographical dispersal of the supporting teams, supplies and equipment which are critical to the maintenance of the aircraft while away from base. Dispersing the fleet across a number of sites, would stretch these already scarce resources and would ultimately lead to many of the aircraft becoming unworthy of flight as they would not be able to receive the level of maintenance required to keep them safe to deploy. The requirement for available for Part 145 compliant hangarage has also been stipulated for this reason to be able to safely an compliantly maintain the aircraft on site. Schedule 5, Paragraph 20 (Defence and Security) In addition, it is considered that the direct award of the contract is lawful pursuant to Section 41 and Schedule 5, Paragraph 20 of the Procurement Act 2023 as a defence and security contract (and not only by virtue of section 7(1)(g)) and it is necessary for the contract to be awarded directly to Glasgow Prestwick Airport in order to enhance or maintain the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces. The contract is a defence and security contract by virtue of Sections 7(1)(c), goods, services or works necessary for the development, production, maintenance or decommissioning of military equipment or sensitive equipment; (d), logistics services relating to military equipment or sensitive equipment; and (g), goods, services or works that are otherwise relevant to the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces of the Procurement Act 2023. It therefore fulfils both the first and second limbs of this ground. In relation to the third limb, the Direct Award to GPA is necessary to be awarded directly in order to enhance or maintain the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces. The Voyager A330 aircraft is the RAF's sole Air-to-Air Refuelling tanker, it serves to refuel fast jets and operates as strategic air transport. If the Voyager fleet are not safely re-housed, which these infrastructure upgrades will facilitate, they will be unavailable to support the Fast Jet fleet which critically defend UK airspace. Without the Voyager ready to deploy, fast jets would become inoperable, risking the safety of the UK armed forces, public and its allies. Thorough market research has shown there is only one possible location which meets all of the Defence and Security requirements set by MOD. Directly awarding this contract to GPA, is the only viable route to market to assure the upgrades are made in time for the relocation of aircraft. 3. Summary For the reasons outlined in this section of the transparency notice, it is considered that the direct award of this defence and security contract to GPA is necessary in order to enhance or maintain the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces. ### Procurement Information Transparency Notice (UK05) - Provision of Services for Infrastructure Upgrades at GPA 1. Overview Air Commercial, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) intends to award a contract to Glasgow Prestwick Airport (GPA) for the provision of services The estimated value of the contract is PS750,000 with a proposed term of 36 weeks. This Direct Award is related to a larger Programme of work, referred to as MACE. 'Project MACE' is the name given to the bolthole operation while the Aerodrome Operating Surfaces (AOS) are resurfaced at RAF Brize Norton. This Programme of work requires a number of aircraft from the Air Mobility Force (AMF) to be relocated to alternative airfields while the works are underway. The requirement at Glasgow Prestwick Airport is for the Voyager A330 fleet. The Voyager A330 aircraft is the RAF's sole Air-to-Air Refuelling tanker, it serves to refuel fast jets and operates as strategic air transport. If the Voyager fleet are not safely re-housed, they will be unavailable to support the Fast Jet fleet which critically defend UK airspace. For the safe and compliant re-housing of this fleet, a number of low-level upgrades including concrete jacking pads, are required at GPA. These upgrades will facilitate the re-location of the aircraft in the Summer of 2026. As a covered procurement, this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023. This Direct Award relies on two justifications as permitted for under the Procurement Act 2023 legislation: Schedule 5, Paragraph 6 (Single Supplier) and Schedule 5, Paragraph 20 (Defence and Security). This Transparency Notice will address each of these justifications below. 2. Grounds Satisfied Schedule 5 - Paragraph 6 (Single Supplier) It is considered that the direct award of the contract is lawful pursuant to Section 41 and Schedule 5, Paragraph 6 of the Procurement Act 2023 because competition is absent for technical reasons such that only Glasgow Prestwick Airport can achieve the requirement and there are no reasonable alternatives. There are strict technical requirements attached to the relocation of the Voyager A330 aircraft. Only one airport, Glasgow Prestwick Airport can meet all of the MOD's technical requirements. GPA is the only airport that could take 7 Voyager aircraft. Whilst GPA requires some financial investment to upgrade the concrete jacking pads to allow maintenance to be performed on the Voyager aircraft for them to remain airworthy all other airfields lack the necessary secure communications that are required to enable the relocation of the Voyager aircraft, an upgrade of communication systems is not possible without significant lead time of multiple years which does not meet the time scales required. Others would require full runway re-construction, again at significant time of several years. This is not in line with the time restrictions of Programme MACE's requirements . Without the pads, the 7 aircraft would quickly become unworthy of flight, jeopardising Defence outputs. In addition, there are no reasonable alternatives to dispersing the aircraft. The aircraft must be removed to accommodate the works at RAFBN . The requirement stipulates that these aircraft cannot be moved abroad due to security and operational readiness requirements. Another key output of this relocation is to keep the aircraft together to limit the geographical dispersal of the supporting teams, supplies and equipment which are critical to the maintenance of the aircraft while away from base. Dispersing the fleet across a number of sites, would stretch these already scarce resources and would ultimately lead to many of the aircraft becoming unworthy of flight as they would not be able to receive the level of maintenance required to keep them safe to deploy. The requirement for available for Part 145 compliant hangarage has also been stipulated for this reason to be able to safely an compliantly maintain the aircraft on site. Schedule 5, Paragraph 20 (Defence and Security) In addition, it is considered that the direct award of the contract is lawful pursuant to Section 41 and Schedule 5, Paragraph 20 of the Procurement Act 2023 as a defence and security contract (and not only by virtue of section 7(1)(g)) and it is necessary for the contract to be awarded directly to Glasgow Prestwick Airport in order to enhance or maintain the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces. The contract is a defence and security contract by virtue of Sections 7(1)(c), goods, services or works necessary for the development, production, maintenance or decommissioning of military equipment or sensitive equipment; (d), logistics services relating to military equipment or sensitive equipment; and (g), goods, services or works that are otherwise relevant to the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces of the Procurement Act 2023. It therefore fulfils both the first and second limbs of this ground. In relation to the third limb, the Direct Award to GPA is necessary to be awarded directly in order to enhance or maintain the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces. The Voyager A330 aircraft is the RAF's sole Air-to-Air Refuelling tanker, it serves to refuel fast jets and operates as strategic air transport. If the Voyager fleet are not safely re-housed, which these infrastructure upgrades will facilitate, they will be unavailable to support the Fast Jet fleet which critically defend UK airspace. Without the Voyager ready to deploy, fast jets would become inoperable, risking the safety of the UK armed forces, public and its allies. Thorough market research has shown there is only one possible location which meets all of the Defence and Security requirements set by MOD. Directly awarding this contract to GPA, is the only viable route to market to assure the upgrades are made in time for the relocation of aircraft. 3. Summary For the reasons outlined in this section of the transparency notice, it is considered that the direct award of this defence and security contract to GPA is necessary in order to enhance or maintain the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027318-2026 | | Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Direct | | Procurement method details | Direct award | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Large | | All stages | Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 25 Mar 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 12 Jun 2025 | | Contract period | 6 Mar 2026 - 30 Jun 2026 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | £1,584,180 | | Contracts value | £1,980,225 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Active, Pending | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE | | Locality | NAPHILL | | Post town | Hemel Hempstead | | Postcode | HP14 4UE | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire | | ITL 3 | TLJ13 Buckinghamshire | | Local authority | Buckinghamshire | | Electoral ward | Ridgeway West | | Westminster constituency | Mid Buckinghamshire | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | GLASGOW PRESTWICK AIRPORT | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services ### Codes - 71310000 - Consultative engineering and construction services - 71541000 - Construction project management services ## Release History - 25 Mar 2026 at 13:09 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027318-2026 - 19 Feb 2026 at 15:08 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015333-2026 - 12 Jun 2025 at 09:07 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031771-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027318-2026 25th March 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015333-2026 19th February 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031771-2025 12th June 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## 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-054749. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054749.json.