Public procurement notice: Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Published: 2019-02-04
Buyer: University of Leeds
Country: UK
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Negotiated without a prior call for competition
CPV classification: 50210000: Repair and maintenance of aircraft | 50211100: Aircraft maintenance services
Estimated value: 17000000 GBP

Technical requirements: Servicios de reparación y mantenimiento y servicios asociados relacionados con aeronaves y otros equipos
Services de réparation, d'entretien et services connexes relatifs aux aéronefs et à d'autres équipements
Services for atmospheric research aircraft. Provision of services related to the crewing, operation, maintenance and modification of the BAE 146 301 aircraft, serial number E3001.
This is a Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency (VEAT) notice, indicating that the University of Leeds intends to contract with BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd for Services for Atmospheric Research Aircraft which will cover, interalia, aircraft operations, maintenance of the aircraft and modifications to the aircraft. The services will predominantly be carried out at Cranfield Airport, although services will need to be provided elsewhere as well. The value of the contract anticipates around 2 000 000 GBP of unscheduled maintenance and this is included in the 17 000 000 GBP contract value. The contract is for an initial period of five years but may be extended by up to a further 5 years in tranches.
The University has considered that this requirement can be placed using the negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice pursuant to Article 31 of Directive 2014/24/EU and Regulation 32 of the Public Contract Regulations 2015: when, for technical reasons, or for protection of exclusive rights, the contract may be awarded only to a particular economic operator (BAE Systems).
The Atmospheric Research Aircraft (MSN E3001) is a unique aircraft type (BAE 146-301) whose type certificate is held by BAE systems (Operations) Ltd (“BAE Systems”). BAE Systems modified the aircraft for special research use by the UK Natural Environment Research Council (“NERC”), has a unique understanding of its operational characteristics and support requirements and will continue to have responsibility for configuration control of the aircraft and all major modifications.
The Research Aircraft is highly modified and the service provider will need to be extremely familiar with those modifications and an adapted BAE 146 301 airframe and/or hold relevant intellectual property rights relating thereto, and to be able to provide maintenance and further modification services on an already modified airframe.
NERC has entered into a lease for an initial period of 5 years with the University of Leeds (“The University”) to operate the aircraft which will come into force 1.4.2019 pursuant to the terms of a research grant. The aircraft must continue to be operated under an Air Operator’s Certificate granted by the UK CAA which satisfies the CAA that there are suitably specialised flight crew trained to operate the aircraft in exacting conditions for lengthy flight durations as well as having the safety systems and resources in place to operate the aircraft.
In order to maintain continuous operation of an aircraft which provides vital support to atmospheric research projects undertaken by the University, on behalf of NERC, it is necessary to enter into a contract for the provision of flight, operational support, maintenance, modification, and programme management services. A five year contract (subject to extension as detailed above) is required to ensure that the University can continue to deliver the key atmospheric research capabilities which only this aircraft can. The technical reasons for contract award are equally applicable to any subcontracts whether for maintenance, operating services, modifications, holding of relevant air operator's certification or otherwise.
Consistent with current provision of these services, subcontracted elements will include management and operation of Research flight requirements, provision of suitably qualified specialised air crew and operational support for flight services, certain maintenance and repair services, certain services related to campaign planning, certain limited minor modifications and implementation of approved design authority modifications. Designated and registered holder of CAA approval and specialist AOC Aircraft Operators Certificate aligned to specific aircraft BAE 146 301.


Winner: BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd
Award value: 17000000