Short description: provision of UK based light aircraft for the delivery of Military Parachute Training (MPT) and RAF Falcons Parachute Activity (FPA) to include parachute displays to the public. The contract duration will be 3 core years plus 2 one-year options for MPT and 3 core years for FPA, the proposed Contract start date is 1.7.2020.

Description of procurement: provide from 1.7.2020, provision of suitable light aircraft and support services to enable Air Command 2 Group to deliver and FPA; via a single contract to provide light aircraft and associated support enablers (i.e. fire and crash cover, and MPT water support) to deliver MPT and FPA.

The light aircraft provided are to deliver both MPT and FPA by adapting interoperability from a single ac type. The aircraft must also be capable of meeting extant release-to-service requirements detailed within the compendium of airborne equipment release certificates and confirmed by trials and evaluation sufficient aircraft flying hours must be provided to enable light aircraft provision fit-to-meet demand.

Off payroll (manpower based) contracts – mandatory tax arrangements of public appointees

— the off payroll rules (Intermediaries Legislation – IR35) for working in the public sector are in place to ensure that where a worker would have been an employee if they were providing their services directly, they are broadly paying the same tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) as an employee,

— the authority has decided that the provision of this service is out of scope of this legislation, for this particular requirement.