Scope
Description
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.
Contract 1. Lancaster Wheels Production (P3)
Supplier
Contract value
- £1,000,000 excluding VAT
- £1,400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
10 February 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 16 February 2026 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 31 March 2029
- 3 years, 1 month, 13 days
Description of possible extension:
Costed Option Years included to be included to cover additional years of in service support.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 50211000 - Repair and maintenance services of aircraft
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
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 £1m 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.
Supplier
Retrotec Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCYQ-2264-QXGH
Units 11 & 12, Wheel Lane Business Park,
Westfield
TN35 4SE
United Kingdom
Email: anneblack@aerovintage.co.uk
Website: http://www.retrotec-ltd.co.uk
Region: UKJ22 - East Sussex CC
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. Lancaster Wheels Production (P3)
Contracting authority
Defence Equipment and Support
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVRL-5831-GLMM
MOD Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS34 8JH
United Kingdom
Email: example.example@mod.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support
Region: UKK12 - Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Organisation type: Public authority - central government