Provision of Pilot and Aircraft services for the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team

The Ministry of Defence is soliciting a contract for the provision of UK-based light aircraft and pilot services to support RAF Falcons Parachute Activity. The contract spans a three-year period from March 1, 2027, to February 28, 2030, with primary training and display seasons occurring annually from March 1 to October 31. The scope requires the provision of a light aircraft and one full-time pilot to deliver up to 130 flying hours per year, with the capability to perform day and twilight drops up to 12,000 feet. The aircraft must meet specific Release-to-Service requirements for military freefall manually deployed parachutes and feature side-door or tailgate despatch capabilities. Additionally, the contractor must provide up to 90 hours of Fire and Crash Cover per year, including qualified crews and support vehicles, ensuring compliance with ICAO, DSA02, and DSA03 standards. The contract is governed by English Law, with a total aggregate liability limit of 5,600,000 GBP. Award selection is based on a Value for Money Index, which balances technical quality scores against the firm price total contract value. Technical evaluation includes mandatory pass/fail stages for eligibility, commercial compliance, and social value. Performance is measured by the contractor's ability to maintain 100% delivery of activity within 48 hours of a requirement. All aircraft maintenance must comply with CAA and MAA regulations. Tenders must be submitted electronically via the Defence Sourcing Portal by December 3, 2026, and must adhere to strict security classifications and packaging standards, including Def Stan 81-041 for labeling and Def Stan 05-138 for cybersecurity.