---
title: "Project MACE - Provision of Supporting Services to Hangarage at Glasgow Prestwick Airport"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05544c"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05544c"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05544c.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05544c.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2026-02-24"
---

# Project MACE - Provision of Supporting Services to Hangarage at Glasgow Prestwick Airport

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05544c

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## Summary

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded a contract to Storm Aviation Limited for the provision of supporting services for hangarage at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, as part of 'Project MACE'. This direct award involves services essential for maintaining the Voyager A330 fleet, which is crucial for air-to-air refuelling and strategic air transport. The procurement was carried out under the Procurement Act 2023 and is classified under defence and security due to its importance to the operational capability and security of the UK armed forces. The contract is valued at £4,464,000 over an 18-week term, starting from 29th June 2026, aiming to ensure compliance with Military Aviation Standards and continued support for the Fast Jet fleet protecting UK airspace.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses involved in aviation services, particularly those specialising in hangarage, maintenance support, and tool provisioning within defence and security contracts. Companies that can provide manpower support or host critical military aviation services can leverage this direct award method, as demonstrated by Storm Aviation Limited's involvement. Although competition was limited due to the technical requirements, those with unique capabilities in military-grade aviation support can find growth potential in such highly specialised government contracts, mitigating risks associated with defence and national security operations.

## Notice

Transparency Notice (UK05) - Provision of Maintenance Support at Glasgow Prestwick Airport 1. Overview Air Commercial, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) intends to award a contract to Storm Aviation Limited (SAL) for the provision of aircraft supporting services at Glasgow Prestwick Airport (GPA). The estimated value of the contract is PS4,464,000 with a proposed term of 18 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. To ensure the fleet remain airworthy and compliant with Military Aviation Standards, including Part 145 legislation, the fleet requires access to hangarage facilities while relocated. A Transparency Notice published on 26/06/2025 relates to the intention to Direct Award a contract to Storm Aviation Limited (SAL) for provision of hangarage rental. There is an additional requirement for supporting services for the aircraft while they are dispersed including, access to manpower, tooling and equipment storage and access while the aircraft at station away from RAFBN. 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 Storm Aviation Ltd can achieve the requirement and there are no reasonable alternatives. The requirement necessitates that the supporting manpower are employed by the organisation which owns the hangar itself for reasons of security, access to the facility and its' tools and equipment. There is, therefore, no other suitable alternative supplier to which to award the contract. 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 SAL 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 Award to SAL 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 maintained (which is not possible without the supporting services of manpower, equipment, storage and tooling) while stationed away from RAFBN, 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 supplier which meets all of the Defence and Security requirements set by MOD. Directly awarding this contract is the only viable route to market to assure the aircraft are maintained to the correct specification while stationed away from RAFBN. 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 SAL 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 Maintenance Support at Glasgow Prestwick Airport 1. Overview Air Commercial, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) intends to award a contract to Storm Aviation Limited (SAL) for the provision of aircraft supporting services at Glasgow Prestwick Airport (GPA). The estimated value of the contract is PS4,464,000 with a proposed term of 18 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. To ensure the fleet remain airworthy and compliant with Military Aviation Standards, including Part 145 legislation, the fleet requires access to hangarage facilities while relocated. A Transparency Notice published on 26/06/2025 relates to the intention to Direct Award a contract to Storm Aviation Limited (SAL) for provision of hangarage rental. There is an additional requirement for supporting services for the aircraft while they are dispersed including, access to manpower, tooling and equipment storage and access while the aircraft at station away from RAFBN. 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 Storm Aviation Ltd can achieve the requirement and there are no reasonable alternatives. The requirement necessitates that the supporting manpower are employed by the organisation which owns the hangar itself for reasons of security, access to the facility and its' tools and equipment. There is, therefore, no other suitable alternative supplier to which to award the contract. 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 SAL 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 Award to SAL 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 maintained (which is not possible without the supporting services of manpower, equipment, storage and tooling) while stationed away from RAFBN, 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 supplier which meets all of the Defence and Security requirements set by MOD. Directly awarding this contract is the only viable route to market to assure the aircraft are maintained to the correct specification while stationed away from RAFBN. 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 SAL 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/016582-2026 |
| 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 | SME |
| All stages | Planning, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 24 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 26 Jun 2025 |
| Award date | 26 Jun 2025 |
| Contract period | 28 Jun 2026 - 30 Oct 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £4,285,440 |
| Contracts value | £4,285,440 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| 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 | TLM Scotland |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | STORM AVIATION |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 63 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services

### Codes

- 63734000 - Hangar services

## Release History

- 24 Feb 2026 at 15:45 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016582-2026
- 29 Jan 2026 at 10:13 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007873-2026
- 26 Jun 2025 at 14:45 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035495-2025
- 26 Jun 2025 at 13:52 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035458-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016582-2026
  24th February 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007873-2026
  29th January 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035495-2025
  26th June 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035458-2025
  26th June 2025 - Pipeline 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-05544c. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05544c.json.