Project MACE - Hangar Rental at Glasgow Prestwick Airport

Descriptions

Transparency Notice (UK05) - Provision of Hangarage Rental at Glasgow Prestwick Airport

1. Overview

Air Commercial, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) intends to award a contract to Storm Aviation Limited (SAL) for the provision of hangarage rental at Glasgow Prestwick Airport (GPA). The estimated value of the contract is £1,240,000 with a proposed term of 18 weeks. This Direct Award is related to a larger Programme of work, referred to as MACE. 'Project MACE' is the name given to the bolthole operation while the Aerodrome Operating Surfaces (AOS) are resurfaced at RAF Brize Norton. This Programme of work requires a number of aircraft from the Air Mobility Force (AMF) to be relocated to alternative airfields while the works are underway. The requirement at Glasgow Prestwick Airport is for the Voyager A330 fleet. The Voyager A330 aircraft is the RAF's sole Air-to-Air Refuelling tanker, it serves to refuel fast jets and operates as strategic air transport. If the Voyager fleet are not safely re-housed, they will be unavailable to support the Fast Jet fleet which critically defend UK airspace. To ensure the fleet remain airworthy and compliant with Military Aviation Standards, including Part 145 legislation, the fleet requires access to hangarage facilities while relocated.

As a covered procurement, this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023.

This Direct Award relies on two justifications as permitted for under the Procurement Act 2023 legislation: Schedule 5, Paragraph 6 (Single Supplier) and Schedule 5, Paragraph 20 (Defence and Security). This Transparency Notice will address each of these justifications below.

2. Grounds Satisfied

Schedule 5 - Paragraph 6 (Single Supplier)

It is considered that the direct award of the contract is lawful pursuant to Section 41 and Schedule 5, Paragraph 6 of the Procurement Act 2023 because competition is absent for technical reasons such that only Storm Aviation Ltd can achieve the requirement and there are no reasonable alternatives.

There are strict technical requirements attached to the relocation of the Voyager A330 aircraft and the associated hangarage required at the location. GPA is the only airport that meets the criteria for relocation of the Voyager fleet, a Transparency Notice regarding which was published on the 12th June 2025. One of the requirements of relocation was the availability and access to a Part 145 compliant hangar able to privately host Voyager A330 aircraft in line with Military Aviation Standards.

Any hangar where 12MON (2A) checks and Base maintenance are to be conducted must be assessed and audited by UK Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014, Annex II (Part 145) and be on the Maintenance Organisation Exposition (MOE). In addition to the required, scheduled, maintenance, additional repair and maintenance is required based on any deployment of the aircraft. Access to hangarage is therefore critical in maintaining the readiness for action of the fleet.

Market Engagement has shown only a small number of hangars within the boundary of the airfield at GPA. Two hangars at the North-side of the airfield, owned and used by GPA. Neither are Part 145 complaint and not suitable for use. They are for use by light aircraft only and are currently on long term lease to other customers.

A private airline company own a Part 145 compliant hangar. This, however, can only be used for single aisle aircraft. In addition, they do not lease to 3rd party organisations.

The final hangar at GPA is owned by Storm Aviation Ltd (SAL); this is Part 145 compliant and authorised for military use. This hangar fits all the requirements including compliance with Military standards and size and security requirements. SAL, therefore, own the only suitable hangar and there are no other suitable alternatives for this requirement.

Schedule 5, Paragraph 20 (Defence and Security)

In addition, it is considered that the direct award of the contract is lawful pursuant to Section 41 and Schedule 5, Paragraph 20 of the Procurement Act 2023 as a defence and security contract (and not only by virtue of section 7(1)(g)) and it is necessary for the contract to be awarded directly to SAL in order to enhance or maintain the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces.

The contract is a defence and security contract by virtue of Sections 7(1)(c),goods, services or works necessary for the development, production, maintenance or decommissioning of military equipment or sensitive equipment; (d), logistics services relating to military equipment or sensitive equipment; and (g), goods, services or works that are otherwise relevant to the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces of the Procurement Act 2023. It therefore fulfils both the first and second limbs of this ground.

In relation to the third limb, the Award to SAL is necessary to be awarded directly in order to enhance or maintain the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces. The Voyager A330 aircraft is the RAF's sole Air-to-Air Refuelling tanker, it serves to refuel fast jets and operates as strategic air transport. If the Voyager fleet are not maintained while stationed away from RAFBN, they will be unavailable to support the Fast Jet fleet which critically defend UK airspace. Without the Voyager ready to deploy, fast jets would become inoperable, risking the safety of the UK armed forces, public and its allies. Thorough market research has shown there is only one possible hangar at GPA which meets all of the Defence and Security requirements set by MOD. Directly awarding this contract is the only viable route to market to assure the aircraft are maintained to the correct specification while stationed away from RAFBN.

3. Summary

For the reasons outlined in this section of the Transparency Notice, it is considered that the direct award of this defence and security contract to SAL is necessary in order to enhance or maintain the operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces