The Australian Customs Service has launched a request for tender (RFT) for the provision of a rapid response helicopter service in northern Australia.
The tender, which closes on 10 October, calls for the provision of a service for the movement of government agency personnel and equipment, including dangerous goods and weapons, to respond to and manage illegal landing incidents. In addition, the helicopter will be required to conduct maritime surveillance while it is on standby for response work, says Customs.
Customs is seeking a multi-engine turbine helicopter capable of day and night instrument and visual meteorological conditions operations, with an operational requirement of 1,250 flying hours a year. The helicopter, to be based at Gove in the Northern Territory, will primarily operate from a 300nm radius of Gove, between Darwin and Weipa, covering the Arnhem coast and Gulf of Carpentaria.
The helicopter must have a minimum range of 220nm at an operational level of 500ft AMSL with seven persons onboard, including the pilot, plus 120kgs of freight. It will be required to conduct surveillance between 50ft and 1,500ft AMSL. Customs notes that the helicopter will have to be suitable for the weather conditions of northern Australia, which include five months of wet, humid weather with widespread low cloud and thunderstorms, including cyclones.
The A$6.2 million ($4.74 million) per annum contract covers four years, with full service delivery to start by the end of January 2007 and to operate through to 30 June 2010. In addition to providing the helicopter and flight crew, the service provider will be responsible for training, engineering and support.
Source: Flight International
