Procurement

UK5 - Lancaster Wheels Production (P3)

  • Defence Equipment and Support

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-060610

Description

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.

Notices

UK7: Contract details notice

Notice identifier
2026/S 000-081642
Published
27 August 2026, 10:42am

UK6: Contract award notice

Notice identifier
2026/S 000-060378
Published
26 June 2026, 2:06pm

UK5: Transparency notice

Notice identifier
2026/S 000-003254
Published
14 January 2026, 4:55pm