Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13bd2-930e-718f-9a8f-492ab0a7b367/uk5-lancaster-wheels-production-p3 awarded GB direct award procedure Suitable for SMEs # UK5 - Lancaster Wheels Production (P3) [Defence Equipment and Support](https://tendernation.io/buyers/defence-equipment-and-support) Estimated value Not stated Published 27 Aug 2026 Deadline Rolling deadline ## Who can bid - Buyer says suitable for SMEs The buyer ticked “suitable for SMEs” on the notice. Anyone can still bid. [More contracts for small businesses and VCSEs](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/for-small-businesses) ## About this tender 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. Source Find a Tender (UK) · Notice ocds-h6vhtk-060610-2026-08-27T10:42:10+01:00 [View official notice](https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/ocds-h6vhtk-060610-2026-08-27T10:42:10+01:00) Never miss a tender like this again Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start. [Track tenders free](https://tendernation.io/register) [Buyer profile Defence Equipment and Support: past awards and live tenders](https://tendernation.io/buyers/defence-equipment-and-support) ## More tenders like this [Bannister Sports Centre Athletic Track Soft Market Testing Exercise · Harrow Council · 38 days left · 26 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a1540d-d9e4-71cb-ad57-1603e9042fec/bannister-sports-centre-athletic-track-soft-market-testing-exercise) [Preliminary Market Engagement - Corporate Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) · North East Lincolnshire Borough Council · 21 days left · 9 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15410-bf5e-72d1-8225-fbabeaba595f/preliminary-market-engagement-corporate-enterprise-resource-planning-erp) [Building Minor Works · Derbyshire Support and Facilities Services Limited · 26 days left · 13 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15408-9087-7003-bd47-df7bc19d7ff7/building-minor-works) [Oakham Town Centre Flower Displays · Oakham Town Council · 8 days left · 27 Oct 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15408-9125-71df-b9f9-41f15d801548/oakham-town-centre-flower-displays) [Housing Site Identification, Landowner Engagement and Consultancy Services. · Chelmsford City Council · 28 days left · 16 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15408-95e0-7222-9afc-7a4eb92afb30/housing-site-identification-landowner-engagement-and-consultancy-services) [DGT Helipad Design and Construction · Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust · 28 days left · 16 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15408-969e-7140-a307-fe72fa7128be/dgt-helipad-design-and-construction)