--- title: "UK4 - Lancaster Radiators: Manufacture and In-Service Support" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-069e80" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069e80" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069e80.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069e80.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT" published: "2026-07-13" --- # UK4 - Lancaster Radiators: Manufacture and In-Service Support Buyer: DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-069e80 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069e80) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069e80.json) ## Summary The public procurement process is being led by Defence Equipment and Support, a central government public authority based in Bristol, UK. The project, titled "UK4 - Lancaster Radiators: Manufacture and In-Service Support," involves the design and production of coolant radiators for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster aircraft. This tender, classified under aircraft maintenance services, is currently at the Tender stage and follows an open procurement method with a competitive flexible procedure. Key deadlines include the tender submission period ending on 21st August 2026 and the tender award period ending on 3rd November 2026. The project delivery location is at RAF Coningsby, UK, with services needed to comply with Military Aviation Authority regulations. This contract offers a substantial opportunity for businesses specialising in the aerospace sector, particularly those with capabilities in design and manufacturing of aviation parts. SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) and social enterprises with experience in replicating historical aviation components using modern equivalents will find this tender particularly suited to their skills. Involvement in this contract could enhance business growth by expanding service offerings, demonstrating compliance with stringent aviation standards, and strengthening relationships with central government authorities. The chance for post-tender negotiations and the potential of contract extensions also make this an attractive opportunity for businesses seeking long-term projects in the aerospace industry. ## Notice The Authority intends to procure a supplier with design capability, to manufacture, test, and deliver replacement coolant radiators for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Lancaster aircraft (PA474), together with associated technical documentation, certification, and in service support. The requirement comprises of replicating the original design standard , using modern day equivilance where necessary, to enable the production of six (6) replacement radiators, including two (2) spares, using a "design from pattern part" approach due to the absence of original drawings. The replacement units must be airworthy, compliant with Military Aviation Authority (MAA) regulatory requirements, and demonstrate equivalence in fit, form, and function to the existing. The contractor will be responsible for: Substantiation, qualification, and production of the radiators. Provision of production drawings, design rationale, testing (e.g. pressure, fatigue, NDT), and a Declaration of Design & Performance. Manufacture and delivery of all units in accordance with an agreed schedule as per negotiations Supply of Special to Type Containers for transport and storage of each Provision of certification (e.g. Certificates of Conformity) and compliance with quality standards (e.g. ISO 9001/AS9100 or equivalent) Delivery of in service support artefacts, including a Bill of Materials, Initial Provisioning List, maintenance documentation, and recommended tooling and consumables to support continued airworthiness to an Out of Service Date of 2035 (with potential extension to 2040). All goods are to be delivered to RAF Coningsby, UK, and must integrate seamlessly with the existing aircraft systems and coolant specifications. ### Lot Information Lot 1 Options: Options included for additional in scope services. Renewal: An extension year mechanism has been built within the Contract. ### Planning Information Through this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (PMEN), the Ministry of Defence seeks expressions of interest from suitably qualified suppliers. Any interested supplier with the experience, capability and capacity to deliver this service are asked to register their interest by contacting the buyer at the details provided in this notice. In your expression of interest, please indicate your preferred duration of any potential future contract. This PMEN has been published for the purposes of Market Sounding and to assist in the determination of the procurement strategy. No formal procurement has been launched. This is not a commitment by the UK Ministry of Defence to place a contract or launch a tender in the future. Suppliers that express an interest but do not currently hold the required regulatory approvals or certifications are encouraged to engage with the Authority. The Project Team will provide information and guidance on the processes and requirements to obtain the necessary approvals, to support fair and open competition and to minimise barriers to entry. This information will be made available on an equitable and transparent basis to all interested parties, noting that no supplier will be given any competitive advantage through prior engagement. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065669-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning, Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 13 Jul 2026 | | Submission deadline | 21 Aug 2026 | | Future notice date | 13 Jul 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 4 Jan 2027 - 3 Jan 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £1,500,000 | | Lots value | £1,500,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | 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 | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 50 - Repair and maintenance services ### Codes - 50211100 - Aircraft maintenance services ## Release History - 13 Jul 2026 at 13:41 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065669-2026 - 25 Jun 2026 at 15:17 - Planning - UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059999-2026 - 27 May 2026 at 09:27 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049441-2026 - 21 May 2026 at 08:59 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046812-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065669-2026 13th July 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059999-2026 25th June 2026 - Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049441-2026 27th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046812-2026 21st May 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://www.digital.mod.uk/sme-dosbg/find-an-opportunity - https://www.digital.mod.uk/sme-dosbg/find-an-opportunityAllTenderSubmissions,ClarificationQuestionsorGeneralCommunicationsmustbeprogressedthroughtheDefenceSourcingPortal(DSP). - 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-069e80. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069e80.json.