Aircraft and spacecraft

Tender description

This procurement is for the purchase of the Service and Maintenance Contract for the British Antarctic Survey's Twin Otter Aircraft. The four DHC6-300 aircraft are registered in the Falkland Islands. The oversight of maintenance is by Air Safety Support International (a wholly owned subsidiary of UK Civil Aviation Authority). The regulatory framework for Maintenance Organisations is the Overseas Territories Aviation Requirements (OTAR 145). All four aircraft have an STC for operations at 14 000 lb. In the Antarctic and Arctic they are operated on wheel/skis. 2 of the platforms are heavily modified to undertake airborne science missions. The contract is both for heavy maintenance at the contractors home maintenance facility and line maintenance when the aircraft are deployed. The aircraft are deployed to the Antarctic in October. It is expected that up to 4 licensed engineers will support the aircraft depending on the field programme and deployments. They undertake support of both the UK and international science programmes from the research station at Rothera. The facilities at Rothera include a Hangar and workshop facility. The support includes Halley Station and field work is conducted across the whole Continent. An engineer will sometimes be deployed with the aircraft, dependant on location and duration of the deployment, and need to be stationed at remote field camps. The deployment of the 4 aircraft to the Antarctic is for approximately 6 months with a return to the home maintenance facility in March for heavy maintenance. Whilst undertaking heavy maintenance the contractor will often be requested to incorporate modifications in support of operation equipment upgrades but also science requirements. 1 Twin Otter is required in the period April to September for science in UK and Europe. Additionally, an aircraft is required to be ready to support medical evacuations from Antarctica during the maintenance period. Accurate scheduling and completion of the maintenance is critical to allow this support while undergoing maintenance, repair or modifications.