VT Flagship wins first support services contract with the RAF

Leading training and support services company, VT Flagship, has won a multi-million pound contract to deliver support services for the Royal Air Force at the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering (DCAE), Cosford.

The three-year Multi-Activity Contract (MAC) will commence on 01 December 2008 when over 250 posts will transfer to VT Flagship from existing service providers at the MoD’s premier Aeronautical Engineering training establishment in Shropshire.

VT Flagship, and its supply chain partners, will deliver a wide range of support services, including; Safety, Health & Environment (SHE), environmental and energy management, engineering workshop services, motor transport, administration, waste management, pest control, catering and cleaning.

Says Tara Gullett, VT Flagship’s Managing Director; "We are delighted to be supporting the Armed Forces at this prestigious training location. Although this is our first MAC contract with an organisation delivering training predominantly to the RAF, we have a strong heritage of providing similar support services for the Royal Navy’s training establishments dating back to 1996.

"Our track record of delivering service excellence and value for money will enable us to contribute to the RAF’s desire to continuously improve the quality of training and training facilities for all personnel at the College".

VT Flagship has assembled a skilled team to deliver this new contract which expands their footprint in the defence marketplace. This will harness VT Flagship’s knowledge of support services and the training environment, with VT Aerospace’s deep understanding of airfield support services and Aramark’s expertise in delivering hotel, catering and other soft services.

Says Tara; "Our combined strength will enable us to deliver the RAF with a fresh approach, coupled with an experienced delivery capability.

"Our company ethos is built upon the concept of partnering, with our customers, employees and supply chain, and we are looking forward to now extending this approach with the DCAE Cosford".

Captain David Elford, Royal Navy, DCAE’s Director Support, said; "We offer our congratulations to VT Flagship after winning an extremely close-fought competition and my team here at Cosford is very much looking forward to working with them".

From December, VT Flagship will provide support services at the main Cosford College, plus three other satellite locations situated throughout the United Kingdom.

The company won the new contract in a competitive tender. Although the contract is initially for a three year period, it can be extended past 2011 through a series of one-year options, which gives the MoD the flexibility to respond effectively to changes within Defence.