Market Engagement for Ground Handling Equipment Options for Rotary Aircraft for National Police Air Service (NPAS).

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A MARKET ENGAGEMENT EXERCISE AND NOT A TENDER PROCESS

The National Police Air Service (NPAS) is drafting a strategy plan for its rotary wing ground handling equipment. This will include options such as extending the life of existing equipment or looking at the procurement of replacement equipment (or maybe a combination of both).

In order to understand the scope of the market for ground handling equipment, and to establish what technical options/solutions may currently exist, NPAS wish to receive brochures and technical data from ground handling equipment suppliers.

The typical requirement for any ground handling equipment for the NPAS fleet of helicopters would include the following minimum capabilities:

• To manoeuvre skidded rotary wing aircraft across tarmac and/or concrete from distances of 10 meters to 200 meters.
• Able to handle an incline (whilst manoeuvring aircraft) of at least 4%
• The manufacture and operation of such equipment must meet prevailing regulations and ACoP of the United Kingdom (especially any requirements of the CAA).
• They must be electric and capable of 'ground powering' the aircraft. The expectation is that the ground powering must be a minimum capability of at least one hour.
• Must be able to achieve full charge after 8 to 12 hours
• They must be cable of manoeuvring 4 tonnes or greater.
• They must be easily maintained with parts readily available.
• They must be capable of being operated by 1 person.
• Must be capable of operating in all and adverse weather conditions
• Must be able to be operated outside and internally (hanger/maintenance areas)

As part of this market engagement exercise please provide the following:

Any brochure and/or technical data sheet for equipment which meets the above criteria.

A summary document (basic word document with bullet point list would suffice) of how the proposed make/model will meet or surpass the high level key areas above.

The summary should also include relevant detail on usage or limitations to the ground handling equipment pertaining to any particular makes or models of rotary aircraft. The existing NPAS fleet consists of EC145 and EC135 helicopters. A tender process is currently being run for the replacement of part of the fleet. In case this results in the possibility of the introduction of different models into the fleet, then we need to understand what influence this may have on any ground handling equipment purchased before the conclusion of the tender.

Provide an indicative price for one unit

Detail how the pricing structure may change/operate under a plan to procure 20 units over a 2 - 3 year period.

Include detail of the other price elements such as: delivery, training, annual servicing etc.

This information will help shape the potential NPAS strategy for ground handling equipment.