Future Procurement Strategy for Support to RAF Command Support Fixed Wing Aircraft

Purpose of this Prior Indicative Notice (PIN) is to advise Potential Tenderers of the procurement strategy, currently being considered by the Secretary of State of Defence acting on behalf of the Crown (“the Authority”) for the future support of the Fixed Wing (FW) Command Support Air Transport (CSAT) aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF).

The FW CSAT aircraft comprise of 4 x BAe 146 Aircraft based at RAF Northolt.

Contract Strategy

It is intended that 4 Contracts will be used to support the Aircraft:- 1. Availability Contract for the provision of Engineering Support; 2. Framework (Call off) Arrangement for the Repair and Maintenance of Engines; 3. Post Design Services (PDS) Contract with the Aircraft OEM; 4. Multi Supplier Framework Arrangement for emergent work not covered by the scope of Availability Contract.

Availability Contract

This Contract will provide the majority of the engineering support, including the provision of spares to the Aircraft and require the successful Contractor to provide the following key services:- 1. The provision of Engineering Services including frontline and depth maintenance. 2. The provision of Personnel including Aircraft Ground Engineers to support deployment of the Aircraft away from RAF Northolt. This will include the provision of personnel supplied as Sponsored Reserves as defined in the Reserve Forces Act 1996 (RFA96) section 40 or as Contractors on Deployed Operations (CONDO).

The Contract will require the following Aircraft availability.

3 x BAe146 Fit for Purpose (FFP) aircraft from 0600hrs Monday to 0100hrs Saturday; 2 x BAe146 FFP aircraft at all other times; 2,192hrs + 10% surge of fleet Annual Flying Task (AFT).

It is intended that the Contract will operate to 31 Mar 2022 with options available to obtain Contract extension for up to a further two years.

The Authority intends to issue a Contract Notice and Pre-Qualification Questionnaire in Q2 2016 and issue the Invitation to Tender in Q3 2016.

The Authority is seeking Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) prices, without commitment, to support its internal review process. Potential Economic Operators wishing to obtain more detail regarding the contract strategy and to provide a ROM price are requested to contact to the representative of the Authority identified at Section 1.

This Prior Indicative Notice is not a means to submit a formal expression of interest in respect of any potential tender. Any resultant requirement will be subject to the EU Public Procurement Regulations and respective advertising action.

Additional information: To view this notice, register as a supplier here:

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and search for the notice with reference 'UK-Bristol: Parts for aircraft, spacecraft and helicopters.'.