Provision of a helicopter service for Home Office trials

Background

The Home Office seek to hire helicopter support for 5 days during a two week trial from 7th – 18th December 2015. The helicopter will be required to undertake multiple surveys of the trial site carrying each of three specified pieces of equipment and at least one passenger, who will be using the equipment while airborne.

Key Details

Prospective organisations must be able to provide the following helicopter service;

• The helicopter must be present for a period of 5 days, between 7th - 18th December 2015 at a site in Essex;
• The helicopter must carry out multiple surveys of the site, at heights of 50 – 2000 ft, as directed during the trials.
• During surveys, one of three pieces of equipment must be carried inside the aircraft, whose weight and dimensions are specified (all < 100kg), alongside a minimum of one passenger who will be using the equipment during flight.
• The supplier must be responsible for proposing and achieving the means to carry and operate the equipment safely and within regulations, including securing any and all necessary CAA/EASA approvals for the flights. The Home Office will work with the supplier to provide any required information on the equipment to be flown.

Expressions of interest must include full contact details and detail the following

• Helicopter model(s) that can be provided, which satisfy the specification detailed here.
• Whether a specific model, the Airbus H135, or similar, can be provided to satisfy the specification. If another model is offered, its similarity to the H135 should be justified.
• Details about flight restrictions of the aircraft to be provided, to include heights, speeds and dependencies on weather and environmental conditions.
• Diagrams/pictures of available carrying space within the helicopter.
• Information as to the maximum payload of equipment, and space for passengers within the helicopter.
• A full breakdown of the expected costs for the provision of the helicopter.

Responses shall be sent to HOSProcurement@HomeOffice.gsi.gov.uk quoting HOS/15/046 in the subject line on a word document by Friday 9th October 2015.