---
title: "UK5 - Lancaster Wheels Production (P3)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-060610"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-060610"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060610.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060610.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT"
published: "2026-01-14"
---

# UK5 - Lancaster Wheels Production (P3)

Buyer: DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-060610

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-060610)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060610.json)

## Summary

The procurement process conducted by Defence Equipment and Support, part of the UK Ministry of Defence and based in Bristol, concerns the production and in-service support of Lancaster Mainwheel Hub Assemblies necessary for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) operations. The procurement is classified within the services industry category, specifically focusing on aircraft maintenance services. The procurement, led via a direct award method due to specific technical requirements that limit competition, culminated in an award dated 14th January 2026. The contract, valued at £1 million excluding VAT, will commence on 16th February 2026 and is scheduled to conclude on 31st March 2028, with potential extensions to cover additional support years. This award is issued to Retrotec Limited, a company with specialised expertise located in Westfield, UK.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in the maintenance and production sectors of the aviation industry. Businesses with capabilities in delivering bespoke, technically demanding products for historical or specialised aircraft operations would benefit from pursuing similar contracts in the future. SMEs, particularly those with specific technical know-how like Retrotec Limited, which serves as the approved Design Organisation for Lancaster Mainwheel Hub Assemblies, would find themselves well-positioned to capitalize on niche procurement processes that require unique expertise and minimal competition.

## Notice

The Typhoon Delivery Team acting of behalf of the Battle for Britian Memorial Flight (BBMF) Project Team has a requirement to procure sufficient production of BBMF Lancaster Mainwheels to sustain Lancaster operations until OSD.

### Procurement Information

The Defence Equipment & Support, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (the "Authority"), intends to award a contract to Retrotec Limited for the production and in-service support of Lancaster Mainwheel Hub Assemblies, a critical component for the continued airworthiness of the Lancaster aircraft operated by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). The contract is intended to run for a two-year period of ~ 02-2026 to 02-2028. The estimated contract value is PS1m excluding VAT. It is considered that this contract can be awarded under Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 because the direct award justification specified in paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 applies. The Authority submits that this justification applies because due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, and there being no alternatives, only Retrotec Limited are able to provide the services required. Retrotec Limited has the required technical expertise necessary to fulfil the Authority's requirement as they operate as the only approved Design Organisation (DO) for the Lancaster Mainwheel Hub Assembly component, which is a critical requirement from the MAA for any Company completing production activities for the Lancaster aircraft to ensure the components produced are safe and airworthy.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003254-2026 |
| Notice type | UK5 - Transparency Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 14 Jan 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 14 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | 16 Feb 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £1,000,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT |
| Locality | BRISTOL |
| Post town | Bristol |
| Postcode | BS34 8JH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK5 West of England |
| ITL 3 | TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire |
| Local authority | South Gloucestershire |
| Electoral ward | Stoke Park & Cheswick |
| Westminster constituency | Filton and Bradley Stoke |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

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

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 50 - Repair and maintenance services

### Codes

- 50211000 - Repair and maintenance services of aircraft

## Release History

- 14 Jan 2026 at 16:55 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003254-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003254-2026
  14th January 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.retrotec-ltd.co.uk
- https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support
- 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-060610. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060610.json.