715728461 - Air Cargo Loading Capability
- Buyer
- Defence Equipment and Support
- Value
- £174,000,000
- Closes
- 11 December 2026
- Where
- Bristol, the South West
- Type
- Open tender
In plain English
The Ministry of Defence wants a single prime contractor to supply new airfield equipment used to load and unload cargo and passengers for military flights, in the UK and overseas. The contractor would also keep that equipment available through a seven-year contract, with options to extend by up to three further years.
What the buyer wants
• Supply Commercial Off-the-Shelf (ready-made) airfield cargo loading equipment, through purchase, lease or a combination of both • Provide through-life availability support, including in-service maintenance and repair, spares, technical support and managing equipment obsolescence • Support deployed operations where some equipment may be used, including Contractors on Deployed Operations (CONDO) support
Requirements
What could rule a small business out: The estimated £174 million value, the requirement to win a place through a competitive flexible procedure with Conditions of Participation set out in a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire, and the need to complete a Supplier Assurance Questionnaire for cyber security at OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE level would most likely rule out most small businesses from bidding directly, though the notice says the prime contractor is expected to source equipment from SMEs.
Always check the tender documents.
How to bid
This is an open tender: any eligible business can respond directly to the buyer by the deadline, with no framework membership needed.
Where to apply
The notice doesn't name a website for bids. Ask the buyer how to apply, using the contact on the official notice.
Questions about this tender? The official notice gives the buyer's contact.
How to write a tender response
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