---
title: "Antarctic Ski Pilot"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05f041"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05f041"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f041.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f041.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)"
published: "2025-12-05"
---

# Antarctic Ski Pilot

Buyer: UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05f041

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05f041)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f041.json)

## Summary

The procurement process, led by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), covers a contract titled "Antarctic Ski Pilot," focusing on the provision of pilot services for Antarctic flights. This process falls under the services category and utilises a direct procurement method, executed without competition due to below-threshold technical reasoning. The contracting activity, based in Swindon, Wiltshire with a delivery location in Antarctica, has progressed to the award stage, with the contract being fully active as of 6th November 2025 and running until 28th February 2026. There is potential for extension should unforeseen delays occur. The total contract value is £25,218 gross.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses, specifically in the niche field of pilot services tailored for extreme conditions like those in Antarctica. SMEs with expertise in aviation services, particularly those with a capability to provide pilots skilled in operating in polar environments, would find this opportunity highly relevant. The contract was awarded to "The Flying Dutchman," a small enterprise based in Cheltenham, indicating a competitive stance for similar-sized companies in seizing future contracts of this nature from central government bodies like UKRI.

## Notice

This contract is for the provision of a pilot with experience and capacity for Antarctic flights. This contract was awarded under Schedule 5 of the PA23 due to technical reasoning.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080389-2025 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - without competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 5 Dec 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 5 Nov 2025 |
| Contract period | 6 Nov 2025 - 28 Feb 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £21,015 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI) |
| Locality | SWINDON, WILTSHIRE |
| Post town | Swindon |
| Postcode | SN2 1FL |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire |
| ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon |
| Local authority | Swindon |
| Electoral ward | Rodbourne Cheney |
| Westminster constituency | Swindon North |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | THE FLYING DUTCHMAN |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

### Codes

- 60444100 - Pilot services

## Release History

- 5 Dec 2025 at 21:51 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080389-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080389-2025
  5th December 2025 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.ukri.org/

## 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-05f041. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f041.json.