---
title: "Merlin Out Of Service Date Extension Programme (OSDEP) Assessment Phase 2"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-055379"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-055379"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055379.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055379.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2025-06-25"
---

# Merlin Out Of Service Date Extension Programme (OSDEP) Assessment Phase 2

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-055379

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## Summary

The Ministry of Defence has concluded the Merlin Out Of Service Extension Programme (OSDEP) Assessment Phase 2 contract, primarily focusing on the repair and maintenance services of helicopters. This service contract aims to extend the operational capabilities of the Merlin Mk4/4a aircraft until 2040, after evaluating anticipated obsolescence issues. The procurement process was completed under a limited procedure, justified by the unique expertise and equipment required. The contract, valued at £14.6 million, was awarded to Leonardo UK Ltd and signed on 2nd June 2025. The project's location is based in the UKK region.

This tender represents an opportunity primarily for large businesses with expertise in aerospace engineering and defence projects, particularly in the UK. Companies with the necessary technical knowledge, and specific equipment related to helicopter maintenance, positioned to engage with the Ministry of Defence, might find substantial growth potential in this sector. Given the specialised nature of the contract, it aligns with firms like Leonardo UK Ltd, which possess access to critical technical data and the capability to support the Ministry's objectives of prolonged aircraft service life.

## Notice

Merlin Out Of Service Extension Programme (OSDEP) Assessment Phase 2 is to support the Merlin Mk4/4a through to an extended out of service date of 2024 to develop solutions in order to contract a D&M Contract.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Merlin Out Of Service Extension Programme (OSDEP) Assessment Phase 2 is to support the Merlin Mk4/4a through to an extended out of service date of 2024 to develop solutions in order to contract a D&M Contract.

### Procurement Information

The Secretary of State for Defence has entered into a Qualifying Defence 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 out to 2040. 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/035099-2025 |
| 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 | 25 Jun 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 1 Jun 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £14,612,024 |

## 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 | Bath |
| Postcode | BA20 2YB |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset |
| ITL 3 | TLK62 Somerset |
| Local authority | Somerset |
| Electoral ward | Yeovil South |
| Westminster constituency | Yeovil |
| Delivery location | TLK South West (England) |

## Supplier

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

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 50 - Repair and maintenance services

### Codes

- 50212000 - Repair and maintenance services of helicopters

## Release History

- 25 Jun 2025 at 13:21 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035099-2025

## 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-055379. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055379.json.